In diesem Quartal beschäftigen sich die Kindergartenkinder mit dem Thema Bauernhof. In den ersten Wochen haben die Kinder die verschiedenen Tiere auf dem Bauernhof besser kennen gelernt, unter anderem die Kuh, das Schaf und die Katze. Wir haben mit Papier Tiere gebastelt, gemalt und auch ein Bauernhoflied gesungen. An einem Vormittag durften die Kindergartenkinder eine Kuh aus Karton „melken“. Den Kindern bereitete diese Aktion viel Spass und sie hätten gerne noch viel mehr Zeit damit verbracht. Das Thema Bauernhof haben wir auch in der Bewegungsstunde am Freitagmorgen aufgenommen und bereits Spiele dazu gemacht.
Unsere Praktikantin Frau De Icco hat die Rollenspielecke der Tigergruppe mit viel Hingabe und Fantasie in einen Hofladen umgewandelt. Den Kindern bereitet dieses neue Spielangebot im Kindergarten viel Freude und sie sind bereits eifrig am Kaufen und Verkaufen. Dabei kommen die Kinder auf spielerische Weise mit Geld in Kontakt.
In den nächsten Wochen werden wir herausfinden, wie Gemüse und Früchte wachsen und uns dabei auch mit unserer Ernährung auseinandersetzen. Am Freitag, den 30. Juni 2023 werden die Kindergartenkinder ihr neues Wissen bei einem Bauern-Zvieri den Eltern präsentieren können.
Corinne Hotz, Lehrerin Kindergarten
Primary Intro collaborated to create six dioramas representing different habitats they learned about in their Unit of Inquiry class. This subject immersive project stimulated the children's creativity and imagination. They used their creative minds to depict the appearance, weather, animals, and plants in each habitat, aiming to understand the needs of animals to survive. The process helped them develop their fine motor skills and to attention to detail. They also learned collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. The project empowered the children to express themselves, boosting their self-esteem and fostering a love for learning and creativity. Overall, it was a valuable experience that sparked their passion and curiosity, and hopefully leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
After the students knew which habitat they would be presenting, they individually planned what they thought would be needed to accurately represent the animals, plants, and climate in a three-dimension format. Then they got together with their group mates to compare, contrast, and bounce ideas off each other. As the children developed their dioramas, they acquired new-found courage in not only demonstrating their comprehension of the habitats but also in asking questions to each other.
Their fine motor skills developed while practicing painting, molding of clay, and creating the landscape using natural botanical and manmade materials as they honed their attention to detail. The class was challenged to recall the photographing skills we learned in IT. “Think about the background!” was a motto that was often repeated throughout the process.
The children's diorama presentations were truly inspiring and heartwarming to see. It's a moment where their hard work, creativity, and knowledge came together in a magnificent display of their unique perspectives. They bravely shared their creations with a genuine sense of accomplishment, showcasing not only their artistic talents but also developing important communication skills. As they described the intricate details and stories behind their dioramas, their voices rose with enthusiasm and passion. These presentations empowered the children, boosted their self-confidence and helped them realize the power of their own voice and creativity. It was a joyous occasion filled with applause, appreciation, and a deep admiration for the incredible talent and growth of these young creators.
Danielle Lopez, teacher Primary Intro
In Primary 2 we had the opportunity to visit Walter’s Zoo for our overnight stay. After a brief explanation of the zoo’s history by one of our guides, we were ready to start the evening’s activities. Students made feeding toys for Kea birds, petted a python, and observed a giant African snail in between visits to various other amazing animals. As the sun began to set, we made our way to our teepees for dinner around a cozy fire. We then enjoyed the unforgettable experience of touring the zoo at night. From a shy but friendly porcupine to an adorable fennec fox and a very relaxed sloth, each new animal wonder elicited gasps of amazement from us all.
We then made our way back to our teepees for a good night’s sleep around the crackling fire. The next morning, we had an early wake-up call after which we enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast in the zoo’s restaurant. We rounded out the morning with a visit the chimpanzees, the lions, and the tigers. Of course, we could not leave without feeding the camels! What a privilege it was to enjoy these experiences together. No doubt the beautiful memories of this trip will bring smiles to our faces for a very long time.
Alejandra Speiser, teacher Primary 2
The Primary 3 class of SIS Rotkreuz teamed up with the Primary 3 and 4 classes of SIS Pfäffikon-Schwyz for the yearly school camp. This year, we organised a circus camp at Zirkus Mugg in Betschwanden, Glarus. The children had a very immersive experience: sleeping in circus wagons, eating and training in circus tents – basically living like circus performers for a couple of days! We all got to learn about the very interesting stories behind the circus wagons, how the tents are put up and the Mugg family who lives in the village all year round. The children trained morning and afternoons in the tents for circus disciplines such as tightrope walking, trapeze flying and performing using a German wheel. During their free time, tents were buzzing with energy every second of the day. The children could hardly contain their excitement, discovering every corner of the village or hanging out in their wagons. Despite being so tired (or so we thought!) from the day’s activities, the nights proved to be restless and the children needed a lot of time to decompress before finally getting some shut eye.
The children were given the chance to choose their favourite discipline to master for a little show at the end of the camp, and the children definitely gave their absolute best in learning different tricks. On the last day, they proudly showcased the skills they have learned with warm rounds of applause from peers.
All in all, the circus camp not only honed the children’s physical skills, but also built a camaraderie within the classes that was truly magical. The campers supported and cheered for one another, celebrated each success and provided a shoulder to lean on during moments of uncertainty. It helped instilling valuable life lessons such as believing in oneself, embracing uniqueness and facing challenges openly. After those 3 days, the children got to bring home wonderful memories that were created with friends and peers while acquiring skills that extend far beyond the circus tent, empowering them to tackle any obstacle that comes their way with resilience and determination.
Ann Müller, teacher Primary 3
Welche Erfindungen waren wesentlich in der Menschheitsgeschichte? Wie hat sich das Leben der Menschen durch die Erfindungen verändert? Hat die Erfindung nur Vorteile mit sich gebracht, oder gab es auch negative Auswirkungen? Wie kommt ein Erfinder überhaupt auf seinen Ideen? Mit diesen Fragen beschäftigen wir uns gerade im Fach NMG in der 5. Klasse – aber auch im Schreibunterricht im Fach Deutsch.
In NMG sind die Schülerinnen und Schüler gerade dabei, Lapbooks zu erstellen, die über eine Erfindung ihrer Wahl informieren sollen. Das Schöne an der Gestaltung eines Lapbooks ist, dass die Schülerinnen und Schüler sehr viele Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten haben und es darum geht, das Wissen möglichst attraktiv – z. B. in Form von Klappkarten, Minibooks oder Umschlägen mit darin enthaltenen Illustrationen – zu präsentieren. Auf diese Weise wird neben einer inhaltlichen Auseinandersetzung auch die Kreativität gefördert und die Schülerinnen und Schüler haben viel Spass dabei. Auf den Bildern können Sie die Kinder im Aktion sehen!
Da das Erfinden auch als eine Mischung von Wissenschaft, Kunst, Fantasie und Träumen angesehen werden kann – man denke nur an Erich Kästners 35. Mai der im Jahre 1953 die Existenz des Mobiltelefons voraussagte – lohnt sich die Verknüpfung mit dem Schreibunterricht. Wie könnte eine neuartige Erfindung die Welt verändern oder vielleicht auch: Wie verändert die rasante Entwicklung der künstlichen Intelligenz bereits jetzt oder in sehr naher Zukunft unser Leben? Beim Verfassen narrativer Texte erkunden die Kinder die Grenzen zwischen dem Fantastischen und dem Realistischem. Wie die Geschichte zeigt, ist das vormals als fantastisch abgetane sehr häufig Realität geworden und viele Science Fiction Autoren der Vergangenheit haben die Zukunft beängstigend genau vorhergesagt - oder sogar mitgeprägt? Möge dies auch den Schülerinnen und Schülern der 5. Klasse an der SIS Rotkreuz gelingen!
Julio Greenway, Lehrer Primar 5
In our UOI this term, the students have been diving into the captivating realm of forces. Forces act like invisible hands, shaping the movement, acceleration, and even the form of objects. They play the leading role in every interaction and motion within the universe. Throughout this term, we've been exploring gravity, friction, air resistance, and water resistance through engaging hands-on science experiments. Some of the experiments have involved constructing streamlined boats using recycled materials, testing different materials for their friction on a braking system, and designing parachutes with optimal air resistance.
When we asked the students about their favourite experiments, their responses were filled with genuine enthusiasm:
Hannah: “I loved the boat race! It was really cool to create the boats and take our learning outside. We had a great time racing and comparing our creations with others."
Adrian: “The days we learned about water and air resistance were the best. It was a lot of fun to get out of the classroom and test our inventions!"
Elena: “I think the air resistance experiment was my favourite. It was really fun to see our parachutes drop from the top of the stairs to the basement. I also loved the challenge of making a parachute from recycled materials in just 10 minutes."
The students consistently expressed their excitement for the hands-on nature of the experiments. They relished the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge, rain or shine. Their dedication and passion were evident as they eagerly tested their creations.
Hands-on learning in UOI sparks a sense of adventure, allowing students to take ownership of their scientific exploration. With every experiment, they unlock a world of excitement, creativity, and discovery. Together, let's embrace the spirit of exploration and bring science to life in the most captivating way!
Elysia Trevino, teacher Primary 5