Student of the Month for November and Student of the Semester

Today we handed out 3 awards to students who have excelled during this last month of November and also to a student who has been a consistent worker and achiever for the whole Semester.

Congratulations to...

Student of the Month for November- Mary Kim

She is a great communicator in class and her open mindedness means she will happily work with any other students.

She is fair-minded in competitive environments and is always happy for others when they succeed.

She speaks up in class, showing she is a risk taker and a thinker. She gives her opinions as well as being knowledgeable on the class content.

She shows humility in her achievements and is quick to acknowledge other students.

She is well organized with her assignments and materials and produces exemplary work across a range of subjects.

Student of the Month for November- Lisa Han

 She is a really caring student in class and demonstrates this in the way she does her own work really well, but is always aware of others and how they may need help.

She takes her time with her work in order to be knowledgeable, by looking at situations in-depth and by thinking through the concepts involved.

While she may be a quieter student in class, she is able to communicate her ideas and thoughts clearly through her writing.

She shows other students how to be competitive, empathetic and caring all at the same time in PE classes.

She models to other students how to be successful in a wide range of activities and be humble while doing it.

Student of the Semester- Rakia Segev

She consistently completes all of her work in a thorough, thoughtful, and detailed manner.

She demonstrates thinking skills in her written work like her reflections and in the oral responses she gives in class.

She shows a high level of commitment to being balanced by also participating in after school sports and activities.

She is reliable when she works in a group and will always have ideas of her own to contribute.

She is focused on ensuring each piece of work is the highest quality she can produce, whether this be in practical or theoretical situations.

She produces exemplary work across a range of subjects that teachers are astounded by.

These ladies show us what it means to be excellent at TCIS!

Homeroom- ESLR reflection task

On Friday of this week, all students need to come to homeroom prepared to write a reflection on their ESLR goals for Semester one.
This reflection would be about the success or challenges you (students) have faced in meeting your goals. You could also write about your new goals or what you learned about yourself in this process.

This reflection will be added to the Semester one reports.

Dr Penland speaks to Middle School in Chapel

Dr Penland joined us in MS Chapel before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Here were some of his key points and challenges to us as we go about our daily lives...

Do you have an attitude of gratitude? 

While our daily circumstances may change, we may experience ups and downs, there are constants in our lives as Christians.

It doesn't matter what is going on around us because God is good and he gives us grace. 

God's love for us has not changed and will not change and we should always be thankful for that. 

Why do we celebrate thanksgiving? 

As Christian people we are called to give thanks for the blessings we have each day. We are called to show gratitude for the many many goo things in our lives. Giving thanks every day in this way helps to build a thankful heart and will help us to see the world in a different way.

What are u thankful for in your life?

Do you have a culture of thankfulness in your family?

 

Students at TCIS stood up in chapel and gave thanks for friends, family, food, God, freedom, warm clothes and heaters, planes to get us across the world, education, teachers, students and many other things from their hearts and in front of their peers.These students were courageous to do so in front of the whole MS.

 

What is Dr Penland thankful for today?

The diversity of who we are at TCIS. We have so many different cultures and perspectives at TCIS.  Dr Penland is also extremely humbled and grateful for the answers to prayers for our school.   

What are you thankful for today?

Things that make you think...

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm....

(taken from Jamie Hepp's blog- the link is on the side of our blog.)

Here are some great questions to ponder!  There are some great ones.  Enjoy!

Can you cry under water? 

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered? 

Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to? 

Why does a round pizza come in a square box? 

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? 

Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours? 

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing? 

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV? 

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from? 

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons? 

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? 

Why did you just try singing the two songs above? 

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?  

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead? Yeah, how come?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money? 

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet? 

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection? 

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard? 

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him? Many of you won't even know what they are talking about!

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets? 

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'? 

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes? 

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white? 

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale? 

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized? 

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance? 

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try? 

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures? 

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, 'It's all right?' Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, 'That really hurt, why don't you watch where you're going?' 

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over? 

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat? 

Some fun thoughts to ponder as we start December!

Science page has been updated...11/21/2011

Please click on the science tab to view some of the 3-Dimensional 'Biomes' projects completed.

PE page has been updated 11/20/2011

Please have a look at the latest pictures from the summative routines for Rhythmic Gymnastics on the PE page.
Below in this video is one group and their summative composition using ribbons as their Rhythmic apparatus.

PE and Science pages have been updated 11/13/2011

The Science page has been updated with the Unit Question and AOI focus for the Biomes Unit- thanks to Mrs Gobius for this!

The PE page has been updated with how the students are using the Design Cycle to plan for their summative compositions.

Student of the Month for October...

Congratulations to ELAL SEGEV who was voted as our student of the month.

 Here are the reasons why teachers voted for her (as written on her certificate):
This student exemplifies a love for reading and learning!
She showed herself to be an inquirer in Technology by collecting materials for and assembling her lamp carefully.
We are all so pleased to see her helping and encouraging others and giving good instructions and feedback during work tasks.
She submits her work on time and takes a great deal of care to ensure it is reflective and thoughtful. This has been an area of growth this year.
She listens carefully to instructions from the teacher and makes it a point to follow each one systematically.
You are appreciated for the consistent effort, enthusiasm and attention to detail in your work.
You are appreciated for being supportive and caring in the classroom.

Well done Elal and keep up the good work!

Happy Pepero day!

Managing Yourself

Here is an excerpt taken from a blog I like and subscribe to... (see the link on the side of the blog page)
http://jaimehepp.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/managingyoursel/

Managing Yourself

Are you in control of your life?  Are you making good decisions?


Here’s something to think about…
7 areas that we must properly manage in our lives to be successful:

• Our emotions
• Our time
• Our priorities
• Our energy
• Our thinking
• Our words
• Our personal lives

There are plenty of things outside of our control.  That’s where faith in God and His plans for us really kick in.  If we properly manage the things that we do have in our control, chances are that we will make good decisions and reap the benefits of those choices.

I sort of look at things in the following mathematical formula:
Good Management = Good Decisions = Reap Benefits
Poor Management = Poor Decisions = Pay the Consequences

I noticed that blaming others and making excuses are not featured in the "Good Management" area. As adults and students we must make sure that we accept responsibility for what we choose to do. 

We always have choices...

So where are your choices taking you today?

Using Mobile technologies in teaching...#2

Today in PE class I used an Ipad app called "Show Me".
I used it to give students the opportunity to give themselves better feedback while they were doing their gymnastics work.
I took a picture of their work and then they voice recorded over the top of the picture.
By using the picture of their work, comparing and contrasting it to a 'perfect' picture and talking through the similarities and differences, they were able to improve the overall quality of their finished product.
Here is an example from Casper and Andrew. Remember this is not a video, but the students talking over their picture which they are comparing and contrasting to another picture.

PE page is updated 11/5/2011

Have a look at the latest offerings on Gymnastics on the PE page.
This was updated 11/5/2011 and shows some "Spring and Landings" as well as superb partner balances.

This video is a little taste of the partner lifts that the students learned last week.

Technology page is updated by Mrs Norton.

Grade 7 are making lamps in technology- see the Technology page for some pictures of what they are up to.

Taken from the website http://weburbanist.com/2010/12/01/bright-ideas-41-bold-beautiful-bizarre-recycled-lamps/

Grade 7 Gymnastics in PE.

Here are a few pictures of some of the statics we have been experimenting with.

Updates on the Language A, PE and Science pages

A special thankyou to Mrs Kask and Mrs Gobius for the videos and updates to the Language A and Science pages.

The PE page has also been updated.

Check out the Math page for the Potato Olympics...

Please have a look at the updated math page for the inaugarul POTATO OLYMPICS.

Welcome back Mrs Kask...

Last week we said thankyou and farewell to Mrs Williams who has been filling in for Mrs Kask during her parental leave with her new baby, Levi.
We welcome Mrs Kask back to her classes at TCIS and hope to see more of her gorgeous baby around Middle School too!


Please also look for an update on the PE page about our latest health unit and work on relationships.

Listen to our thoughts...

"As Grade seven students, we may be young, but we do think deeply about important issues."

This was a quote from one of my students.
Sometimes our students and children feel like they are not 'heard' in the hustle and bustle of everyday living. This really made me stop and think and as their teacher I want to make sure all students have the opportunity in their own time to be heard, affirmed and recognized for the amazing people they are...

Here is a link to a homework task Grade 7 did for Health class.
http://meetingwords.com/KcLMGH98l1
( This is a live document, so please 'read only' :)

In Health classes we are looking at their Social Health in terms of their attitude and their relationships.
Please read what they wrote about how God can strengthen their social relationships.
We used a forum called "Meeting Words". In this online notepad style, all students can access the pad to write and also read each others responses. It is a cool way for students to learn from each other and consider different viewpoints. Another way for students to develop a sense of community and empathy.
Take the time to read it and you will feel spiritually lifted up!
I feel blessed to be learning from your children every day

Grade 7 2011

A couple of whole group pictures from SEW

After prayer time in the new auditorium... Hands all in for a "1,2,3 Dragons" cheer

'Wacky + Tacky' day

Time spent in prayer at the new campus

Here is a video of some time we spent at the new campus as a grade 7 group. We spent time writing blessings and reflecting on God's goodness in our lives.

Day 3 SEW

Today marks the last day of SEW and it was a very special one. We got to travel to the new campus to write blessings onto the walls and floors of the campus. While these areas will be covered with carpets and wood and paint, we know that there will always be a part of our students in the school, urging it to succeed and asking God for his blessings over our school.

Writing blessings in the auditorium

Thank you Everett

Mr Kongolo and Mr Kask in the main atrium

Wrap up to finish SEW

A New Creation

As part of our SEW  theme "A New Creation", students worked in their homeroom groups to creat a commercial for a very strange and weird item.
Their job was to put a new spin on an old product... just like what happens to us when we become a new creation through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Here is a video with the Grade 7 boys, showing their commercial to all of middle school.

SEW Day 2

Here are some pictures from praise and worship today- Day 2 of SEW.
As you can see, Grade 7 were wearing blue today for their spirit color.

Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW) is here.

Day 1:
We had a fabulous day 1.
We spent time with our guest speaker, met some new HS students and played games with them.

Kick start in chapel

egg toss

Water games

3 legged race

Mrs Bang's and Mrs Loeber's group

Grade 7

Talking, listening and chilling!

Wacky, Tacky dress up day for the teachers too!

The wrap at the end of the day was an outdoor praise concert with HS, MS and some ES students.
The TCIS field was rocking for our Lord!

Social Networking... lets make it work for us!

I have been doing some research on Social Networking and it's value in education.
Is it worthwhile to use social networks and sites with classes for example?
I have always been a little concerned with the openness of Facebook for class work.
I was lead to look at a networking site called edmodo...an education version of Facebook.
It is a brilliant platform for what is called 'backdoor learning'. Often students who are quieter in the class, will shine in this sort of online atmosphere.
Our children want to connect and share with others, so lets make sure it is in a safe and educative way. With edmodo I can do this. I control the site and what is posted and have ultimate control over it's participants. I can create groups to organize my students and lead them into different areas.
Students started signing up today and tonight and already we have some student driven posts and conversations about health class today and about their Track and Field unit.
I love that students can take the initiative to post and discuss what comes to their minds.
We used edmodo in class today to share and brainstorm what "attitiude" is. While each individual student was questioning whether their individual thoughts were worth positing, collectively as a class they all had something to say and they learned something from each other.

An example of the class brainstorm on "Attitude" today in Health class.

 This is also a great review tool (and they like it because they don't have to make notes about everything because it is right there on the post)

As a teacher I like the control factor of membership and the ability to edit or delete posts. The students like it because it helps them to have a real voice with their peers and in their learning. I'm excited to see where it will take us!

The secrets of Happy People

Here is a link to an intersting article:

"Happy People

Why are some people always up?  Why are some people always down?  What can I do to be a person that is optimistic, happy, and enjoy life?
These are some of the questions worth exploring.  Becoming successful starts with a good dose of healthy self image and positive attitude (I believe).  Below is an article that I think captures the values and action items that “truly happy people” follow on a daily basis.  Enjoy!"

http://jaimehepp.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/happypeopl/

Student of the Month for September...

CONGRATULATIONS to Kallee Miller for being voted as our S.O.M. for September.

(Below are the reasons teachers gave as to why Kallee was deserving of this award...)

She is a conscientious student who strives to do her best. Her written and verbal responses are always reflective, detailed and thorough.
She is well-prepared for classes and shows a willingness to do various things in the classroom that others are reluctant to do.
She asks clarifying questions when not sure how to proceed and is an active participant in class discussions.
She has shown kindness and help to other students, especially those who are new. She constantly checks on the welfare of those around her.
She embodies the characteristics of a Caring and Principled student in every interaction with her peers and teachers.
Congratulations to Kallee who is a most deserving winner of this award! 

Kallee accepting her award from Mrs Loeber.

PE Page has been updated 26/9/2011

Please have a look at the latest on the Track and Field unit on the PE page.
Below is Jason jumping over a rope in a warm up activity. As the rope gets higher, Jason and many others in the class had to, and did,  overcome their anxiety to succeed. 

Grade 7 Shot put pictures

These are pictures taken of I block PE class engaged in shot put.