Newsletter from QSI International School of Atyrau: January 25, 2019 No Images? Click here January 25, 2019 QSIA NEWSUpcoming Events: Success Orientation Assembly - January 29th Elementary Movie Night - February 1 6:00 - 845PM Global Play Day - February 6th (more info will come next week!) Scottish Music Performance - February 8th Literacy week / 100 Days of School - February 11 - 15 MSA Team Reaccreditation Visit - February 18 - 21 Do you see images in this newsletter? Every week we publish many great images and flyers in our newsletter. If you do not see any pictures, please ensure your email is displaying images. You can also click the "No images? Click here" link at the top of this email. Science is the 6-Year-Old ClassThe 6 Year Old Science class is learning to use the process of solving everyday problems by defining the problem, planning and building models to solve the problem, testing the model, and improving and redesigning it. Friday we worked in groups to design boats out of aluminum foil squares. Our goal was to see which design of boat or ship would hold the largest number of paper clips when it was placed in a sink or bowl of water. The various groups tried experimenting with several designs. The competition to come up with the best design was quite strong. Several redesigned their boats a number of times in an attempt to get more clips on board and "beat" their competitors. We had a few unfortunate "sinkings" and emptying of boats with the loading on them of fewer paper clips. The students were quite pleased with their creations. Learning and Growing in the 9-Year-Old ClassThe nine-year-old’s have been learning some useful, if not exciting, things since coming back from the holiday. They have started learning how to add and subtract fractions, write in-depth literature reviews, and to conduct and document scientific experiments. Further, we have started learning about ancient Chinese dynasties. Finally, we have been thinking of ways to remain safe in all parts of our lives. Recorder KarateThis year's music students, from ages 8 and on up, have been taking part in "Recorder Karate." I will introduce the 7s to it this week, as well, to see how they do. This is a system of leveled instruction and songs that introduces many of them to their first instrument. I still have my first recorder at home, as a matter of fact, and it remains to be a prized possession of mine. Beginning with white belt, students move up through more notes and harder pieces until they reach black belt. That is the end of the current published program. However, we have added more levels that involve them writing their own compositions. Some of these new works will be presented at the spring concert in May or so of this year. Students earn their second dan black belt, a black one with white stripes, up to 9th dan, a black belt with brown stripes. The program has been very well received by students and they often bring their recorders home and hopefully, you've heard them practicing away. Some classes already have every student at black belt and they are all working on their own compositions. One group of three students is even working on a three-part composition! The recorder is actually a "serious" instrument, playing mostly classical music and one can even earn a university doctorate with the instrument. It comes in various tones. Students have a soprano recorder. I also own an alto recorder, simply a larger and lower version of the soprano, but also a bass recorder that can remind one of a saxophone. Students can also play these if they would like a challenge. Additionally, recorders are a great start to moving onto other wind instruments, especially clarinets, flutes and saxophones. Importantly, research has shown a strong positive connection between playing an instrument and school achievement. Let's keep opening up opportunities for our already high-achieving student population! Adult BadmintonAdult Badminton Club: every Wednesday, 7:30 - 9:30. Please contact Mrs. Freeman at +7 705 124 31 31. This is a social game, so all levels including complete beginners are welcome. |