Newsletter from the Principals

Primary IPC Units

Our IPC Units are so fun and exciting! Our PreK classes are exploring Houses and Homes and Kindergarten is into Media Magic. They’re doing some really interesting projects! First grade is learning about the phases of the moon in their Space unit. Second grade is learning about food and nutrition in We Are What We Eat. The third graders are ready for some explosive volcano projects for the Active Planet unit. In fourth graders lit up their learning by connecting circuits in an electrifying unit called It’s Shocking! Fifth grade finished up Fit for Life  with some fitness challenges. These units include hands-on learning. When I pass by classes, I see curiosity, engagement, and authentic learning!

12th Grade Maths and Physics

In the past weeks, 12th grade Math and Physics students have worked on their Internal Assessment in parallel with their regular coursework. The Internal Assessment - IA in short - is an extended investigation in which students can address a topic they are passionate about without the time constraints associated with tests: it is a wonderful occasion to explore new ideas and forge new links, and the perfect way to express mathematical and scientific creativity in a rigorous, formal piece of writing.

Some topics that our students are investigating are:

PHYSICS

• Striking gold (with alpha particles)
• Setters and spikers in volleyball, and projectile motion
• Pump up the bass: high-pass and low-pass filters with resistors and capacitors
• Using Werner's formulas to tune string instruments
• Anharmonic corrections to the period of a simple pendulum

MATH

• Seeing your heart: how to change an electrocardiogram into a color
• "Exponential" spreading of viruses and l'Hôpital's rule
• Using gravity to design cathedrals - Gaudì and catenary curves
• Sustainable growth rate for the world's population
• Polygons with maximal area and common western music scales
• How to build your own contact lenses with diamond using the lens-maker's formula
• An analysis of the European transport network with adjacency matrices
• Finding the value of π with polygons in a circle: an ancient Chinese method
• What is the patient's best tilt angle to administer CPR?
• Partitions: how many ways are there to obtain 1000 as a sum of integers?
• Fluid resistance and terminal velocity for an object falling in air
• Random walks and Einstein's diffusion equation

The whole school will be invited to take part in a Winter Spirit Week. Here are the details!

NAO Challenge

We are excited to announce that the schola de robotica has communicated with ISG a parallel plan for the NAO challenge in order to make sure the competition still takes place with in-person or online presence. ISG has enrolled four high school teams in the competition. We are looking forward to making the most out of this great learning opportunity.

Art work:

Visual language and images are approached from multiple perspectives at ISG. While 5th grade students are learning how to model a proportioned human figure and how to let it stand or sit in a natural position, Digital Photography classes investigate how images are generated by light and reflections. No surprise, then, to see computer graphics and traditional drawing fluently merged in the work conceived by one of our IB Diploma Visual Arts candidates.

Science:

Curious grade 6 scientists observed different animal and plant cells using digital and compound microscopes in the school laboratory. Students are currently learning the difference between animal and plant cells as part of the body organization unit.

Computer Science:

Problem solving and computing are highly interactive skills. The grade 7 computer science students had used these skills to address different challenges. They completed a group project which involved designing a boat to support the greatest amount of pennies using only a sheet of aluminum foil. Students also learnt how computers input, output, store and process information to help solve problems.

IPC Personal Learning Goal

This month our focus has been on showing empathy and empathy leading to action. We talked about the importance of supporting each other’s learning when we can and recognising that everyone learns differently. We are focusing on the effect that our words and actions have on others. We know that if we recognise the differences and similarities between our own lives and that of others we can understand each other.

High School Advisory

We have started our high school online advisory sessions. The purpose of these sessions is to provide a place for students to voice their worries, challenges and struggles and to find support and advice in how to face them.  We also use the session to have fun and create an emotionally supportive network. At the current time, this is more important than ever for our high school students. Photos and a snapshot of our 9th grade advisory can be found in the ‘learning in action’ tab of this newsletter.

Middle School Advisory

As we move toward the end of the calendar year, our middle school sections will be invited to take part in fun advisory lunches where games and activities will take place. The purpose is to continue to build a sense of community, a supportive environment and to develop relationships between students and their advisors..

IB Computer Science course

As some of you may be aware, from this year, Computer Science is now an option to study for students in the IB Diploma Programme.  The course is going extremely well and you will find some videos of our students learning in this class in the ‘Learning in Action’ section of this newsletter.

Middle School Science

In middle school science students have been learning about the nervous system and cycles of matter. The grade 7's have tested each other's reflexes whilst understanding the difference between voluntary and involuntary responses. The grade 6 students had the opportunity to take part in a virtual dance whilst learning the four stages of the water cycle. They also conducted a carbon dioxide experiment which explored their role in the carbon cycle. See our ‘learning in action’ section for photos.

Reading Workshop

Grades 1 and 2 have moved into their non-fiction reading units. They are learning so much through reading! Grade 3 has been consolidating their fiction skills by working in groups on books from a series. Grade 5 has been collaborating on book clubs as well.We hope you see your children at home racing to read their books every evening!

Mathematics

Mathematical Kangaroo (Kangourou Sans Frontières in France, where the competition was born) is an international mathematics competition that takes place annually, with over 6 million participants across the world. This year, and for the second time at ISG, students in Grades 4 to 8 will have a chance to compete in the competition. The contest questions challenge students’ logical thinking skills, while the main goal of the contest is to promote mathematics among young people and allow students who are sometimes discouraged by math to discover its fun side. Learn more about the Kangaroo here http://www.kangourou.it/

Child Protection at ISG

Protecting the children in our care is our most important job. Learning itself depends on a child feeling safe and well cared for. The European Council of International Schools (ECIS) Child Protection certificates set the benchmark for quality training for international schools. All of the teachers at ISG are currently completing the ECIS certificates in Child Protection. We are also happy to announce that we have appointed Ms Olivia Bradley as our Child Protection Officer (CPO).  Olivia Bradley will act as the lead person in communication of student issues or concerns between the parents, staff members and children, and for ensuring that the system is working correctly.

For our full policy on Child Protection, please see the PDFs Below;

ISG Child Protection Policy - English

ISG Child Protection Policy - Italian

Professional Learning at ISG

On the early release day, October 13, teachers all began a practitioner research project. Teachers chose their Essential Questions and are now in the process of gathering research findings to guide their next steps. Check out just a few examples of the projects that are underway:

• How might students' mathematical conceptual understanding be improved through the use of varied formative assessment tasks?
• How might my assessments promote learning, not simply measure it?
• What effects do classroom practices and study habits have on working memory capacity?
• How can reading be promoted as a fundamental learning tool/experience, in a world dominated by technology?
• How can we use the bilingual environment to improve teacher instruction and student progress in language acquisition?

IB Computer Science students learn how the computer converts hexadecimal data representation to colorful pixels. The students used an Arduino kit to demonstrate their knowledge of how RGB pixel changes color based on digital input from three light sensors.

IB Computer Science students learn how computer logic gates work using transistors. The students have demonstrated their knowledge by creating a Spin wheel project using an Arduino kit with a button to control the circuit.

In middle school science students have been learning about the nervous system and cycles of matter. The grade 7's have tested each other's reflexes whilst understanding the difference between voluntary and involuntary responses. The grade 6 students had the opportunity to take part in a virtual dance whilst learning the four stages of the water cycle. They also conducted a carbon dioxide experiment which explored their role in the carbon cycle.

IPC Personal Learning Goal - Resilience

We focused on the IPC Learning Goal of Resilience this month. Being resilient is a key part of the students’ learning. They have to learn to accept that they will make mistakes, struggle with new learning, and still keep trying. We also encourage our students to identify strategies, beyond immediately asking adults, that will help them to work through their struggles toward success. The students have been showing their tenacity and resilience brilliantly!

Secondary Advisory assemblies

This week the leadership team and grade level advisors met with each middle school grade level in order to discuss important issues that are coming up at school. We began with a mindful activity in order to focus the students and demonstrate the importance of being mindful in the course of the day. We then discussed what it means to be a positive member of the community and safety and security whilst using the internet and technological devices.

High school advisory sessions will take place online in the next two weeks. As we move into 100% Elearning for our older students, we will be finding ways to support them emotionally and academically.

IB Corso di informatica

Come alcuni di voi sapranno, a partire da quest'anno, l'informatica è ora un'opzione di studio per gli studenti del programma di Diploma IB.  Il corso sta proseguendo molto bene e troverete alcuni video dei nostri studenti che frequentano questa classe nella sezione 'Learning in Action' di questa newsletter.

Scienze nella scuola media

Nella scuola media gli studenti di scienze hanno studiato il sistema nervoso e i cicli della materia. Il 7 Grade ha confrontato i riflessi gli uni con gli altri, comprendendo la differenza tra risposte volontarie e involontarie. Gli studenti del Grade 6 hanno avuto l'opportunità di partecipare a un ballo virtuale mentre imparavano le quattro fasi del ciclo dell'acqua. Hanno anche condotto un esperimento sull'anidride carbonica che ha esaminato il loro ruolo nel ciclo del carbonio. Troverete le foto nella nostra sezione 'apprendimento in azione'.

Laboratorio di lettura

I Grade 1 e 2 sono stati introdotti nelle rispettive unità di lettura di saggistica. Stanno apprendendo molto attraverso la lettura! Il Grade 3 sta consolidando le proprie capacità narrative lavorando in gruppi su libri di una serie. Il grade 5 ha collaborato anche nei club del libro.

Speriamo che ogni sera, a casa, possiate vedere i vostri figli correre a leggere i loro libri!

Tutela dei minori presso l'ISG

La protezione dei bambini è il nostro principale compito. L'apprendimento stesso dipende dal fatto che il bambino si senta sicuro e ben accudito. I certificati di protezione dell'infanzia del Consiglio Europeo delle Scuole Internazionali (ECIS) costituiscono il punto di riferimento per una formazione di qualità per le scuole internazionali.

Tutti gli insegnanti dell'ISG stanno attualmente completando i certificati ECIS in Protezione dell'infanzia.

Siamo inoltre lieti di annunciare che abbiamo nominato Ms. Olivia Bradley quale nostro responsabile della tutela dell'infanzia (CPO).  Olivia Bradley opererà come responsabile della comunicazione di problemi o preoccupazioni degli studenti tra i genitori, i membri dello staff e i bambini e per garantire il corretto funzionamento del sistema.

Per la nostra policy completa relativa alla salvaguardia dei minori, vi invitiamo a consultare il PDF in allegato.

ISG Child Protection Policy - English

ISG Child Protection Policy - Italian

Formazione professionale presso ISGI

l giorno di uscita anticipata, il 13 ottobre, tutti gli insegnanti hanno iniziato un progetto di ricerca professionale. I docenti hanno selezionato le loro domande essenziali e stanno ora raccogliendo i risultati della ricerca per guidare i loro prossimi passi. Di seguito alcuni esempi dei progetti in corso:

• In che modo si può migliorare la comprensione concettuale matematica degli studenti attraverso l'uso di vari compiti di valutazione formativa?
• Come potrebbero le mie valutazioni incentivare l'apprendimento e non semplicemente valutarlo?
• Quali effetti hanno le lezioni in classe e le abitudini di studio sulla capacità della memoria di lavoro?
• Come si può promuovere la lettura come strumento/esperienza di apprendimento fondamentale, in un mondo dominato dalla tecnologia?
• Come possiamo utilizzare l'ambiente bilingue per migliorare l'istruzione degli insegnanti e i progressi degli studenti nell'acquisizione della lingua?

Gli studenti di informatica IB vengono a conoscenza di come il computer converte la rappresentazione esadecimale dei dati in pixel colorati. Gli studenti hanno utilizzato un kit Arduino per dimostrare la consapevolezza di come i pixel RGB cambiano colore in base all'input digitale di tre sensori di luce.

Gli studenti di IB Computer Science imparano come i software logici dei computer funzionano con l'uso di transistor. Gli alunni hanno inoltre documentato le loro conoscenze creando un progetto di Spin wheel utilizzando un kit Arduino con un pulsante per il controllo del circuito.

Nella scuola media gli studenti di scienze hanno studiato il sistema nervoso e i cicli della materia. Il 7 Grade ha confrontato i riflessi gli uni con gli altri, comprendendo la differenza tra risposte volontarie e involontarie. Gli studenti del Grade 6 hanno avuto l'opportunità di partecipare a un ballo virtuale mentre imparavano le quattro fasi del ciclo dell'acqua. Hanno anche condotto un esperimento sull'anidride carbonica che ha esaminato il loro ruolo nel ciclo del carbonio.

Obiettivo di apprendimento personale IPC - Resilienza

Ci siamo concentrati sull'obiettivo di apprendimento della resilienza dell'IPC questo mese. Essere resilienti è una parte fondamentale dell'apprendimento per gli studenti. Devono imparare ad accettare il fatto che commetteranno degli errori, dovranno affrontare nuove difficoltà di apprendimento e continuare a provare. Incoraggiamo anche i nostri studenti a identificare strategie, oltre a chiedere immediatamente agli adulti, che li aiutino a lavorare attraverso le loro battaglie verso il successo. Gli studenti hanno dimostrato brillantemente la loro tenacia e la loro resilienza!

Assemblee di consulenza della scuola secondaria

Questa settimana il team di Leadership e i consulenti di ciascuna sezione si sono incontrati con ogni classe della scuola media per discutere circa questioni importanti che si presentano a scuola. Abbiamo iniziato con un'attività mirata a focalizzarsi sugli studenti e a dimostrare l'importanza di essere persone consapevoli nel corso della giornata. Abbiamo poi discusso sul significato di essere un membro positivo della comunità e della sicurezza mentre si usa internet e i dispositivi tecnologici.

Le sessioni di consulenza delle scuole superiori si svolgeranno online nelle prossime due settimane. Con il passaggio all'Elearning al 100% per i nostri studenti più grandi, troveremo il modo di sostenerli dal punto di vista emotivo e accademico.