al zahra college ib matters may 2011
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Al Zahra College IB Matters May 2011TRANSCRIPT
IB MATTERSMay 2011
IB MATTERS
A monthly publication about trialling the
Primary Years Program (PYP) and
the Middle Years Program (MYP)
at Al Zahra College.
The International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an exciting set of educational programs offered in more than two thousand school schools in over 120 countries around the world. The programs focus on student-centred inquiry-based learning and global concerns. They challenge students to think in sophisticated ways about the connections between ideas in different areas of study. They put learning into an international context.
Trialling IB at Al Zahra College
In 2011, Al Zahra College is a Candidate School for the PYP and a Candidate School for the MYP. The goal is for Al Zahra College to eventually offer all three programs to our students.
NOTE: AZC is undertaking a trial implementation of PYP and MYP. Authorisation can take several years and cannot be guaranteed.
The initial planning for PYP and other possible IB programmes at AZC began back in 2003.
Following first-hand experience with all three programmes (PYP, MYP and DP) in Qatar, Dr Darvall recommended trialling its implementation at AZC.
In 2008, AZC registered with IB as an Interested PYP School. Following a preliminary visit in
2009, AZC was invited to become a Candidate PYP School.
During 2010, AZC completed a Pre-Authorisation visit that considered our preparedness for authorisation as a PYP School.
At this stage, and with a lot more hard work, we plan to seek authorisation in late 2011.
In 2009, AZC registered as an Interested MYP School in preparation for the commencement of Year 7 in 2010. In 2010, AZC was accepted as a Candidate MYP School.
Information sessions are conducted to facilitate parent understanding of what PYP and MYP are all about - bringing learning alive.
PYP & MYP @ AZC
Portfolios show a collection of
work over a period of one year that is selected by both the student and the teacher.
For StudentsThe Portfolio is a celebration of learning. It encourages reflection not only on the quality of their work, but the learning and thinking that has taken place in
the completion of that work.
The portfolio represents
development over a period of time and is a document that is owned by the student.
The portfolio forms the basis of
their reflections during student-led conferences and should stimulate ongoing discussions about learning, strengths, weaknesses, successes and goals between the
child and their teacher and parents.
For TeachersFor the teacher, the portfolio is a document that assists in the
assessment of the child’s depth of understanding in a variety of areas. It allows teachers and children to reflect together to identify strengths and weaknesses
and establish goals for ongoing achievement.
It ensures that all the essential elements of the program have
been assessed and shared.
For ParentsFor the parents, the portfolio is a visual representation of the
process of learning being undertaken by their child. It will help build a picture of their child’s learning and progress over a period of time and, through the
reflections, how well the child
understands how they learn and
the thinking that is taking place.
The portfolio should help create ongoing dialogue about learning between the parents and their
child.
Portfolios show evidence of the child’s ability to reflect on performance and understandings
and set appropriate and achievable goals for ongoing achievement.
I hope that that you enjoy sharing
your child learning journey this year as you look through their portfolio.
Dr David McGregor
PYP Coordinator
Student Portfolios
What Colour ‘Hat’ Are You
Wearing Today?
Six Thinking Hats® is a
simple, effective thinking process
that helps people be more
productive, focused and mindfully
involved.
Once learned, the tools can
be applied immediately!
Students can learn how to
separate thinking into six clear
functions and roles.
Each thinking role is
identified with a coloured
symbolic ‘thinking hat’.
By mentally wearing and
switching ‘hats’, students can
easily focus or redirect thoughts,
questions and conversations.
The Six Thinking Hats® is a
thinking tool for group discussion
and individual thinking.
White Hat
Facts and Information (The
White Hat calls for information
known or needed. "The facts, just
the facts.")
a) What information do we have?
b) What information do we need?
c) What information is missing?
d) How will we get extra
information?
Red Hat
Feelings and Emotions (The
Red Hat signifies feelings,
hunches and intuition.
When using this hat you can
express emotions and feelings and
share fears, likes, dislikes, loves
and hates.)
a) How do I feel about this right
now?
Black Hat
Being Cautious (The Black
Hat is judgment - the devil's
advocate or why something may
not work. Spot the difficulties and
dangers; where things might go
wrong.)
a) Is this true?
b) Will it work?
c) What are the weaknesses?
d) What is wrong with it?
e) What are the risks?
Yellow Hat
Being Positive and
Optimistic (The Yellow Hat
symbolizes brightness and
optimism. Under this hat you
explore the positives and probe for
value and benefit.)
a) What are the good things
about this?
b) Why is this worth doing?
c) How will it help us?
d) Why will it work?
Green Hat
New Ideas (The Green Hat
focuses on creativity; the
possibilities, alternatives and new
ideas. It's an opportunity to
express new concepts and new
perceptions.)
a) What are the alternatives and
possibilities?
b) Could this be done in another
way?
c) Does anyone have another
idea?
Blue Hat
The Big Picture (The Blue
Hat is used to manage the
thinking process. It's the control
mechanism that ensures the Six
Thinking Hats® guidelines are
observed.)
a) What have we done so far?
b) What do we do next?
c) What sort of thinking will be
the most helpful?
Six Thinking Hats
LEADERSHIPThere are many opportunities for all students to develop their leadership skills at AZC.
These include:• School parliament ministers
(including Prime Minister and Opposition Leader).
•Class captains (class representatives to school parliament).
• House captains
• Class monitors
• Sporting team captains
• Leading weekly/special assemblies
• Leading Salat
The duration of these leadership positions may range from 1 week to 1 term, 1 semester, or the entire academic year.
Completed and sustained leadership contributions will be acknowledged in student progress reports and contribute to the Annual Leadership, Service and Service Learning awards.
SERVICE
There is a strong service culture at AZC where students learn that it is possible to make a positive difference in the world.
Students support a range of Australian charities including: Pink
Ribbon Day – breast cancer; Daffodil Day – The Cancer Foundation; Jeans for Genes Day – CMRI; Literacy Backpack Project for Indigenous Students – Foundation for Youth.
AZC also sponsors two students annually at a Lebanese orphanage.
Global appeals are strongly supported when they occur, for example, the Pakistani Flood Appeal and the Tsunami Appeal.
Primary students can provide a service to students during lunch breaks by coordinating grade-based activities on a termly basis.
Completed and sustained service contributions will be acknowledged in student progress reports and contribute to the Annual Leadership, Service and Service Learning awards.
SERVICE LEARNING
Service learning is a method of teaching, learning and reflecting, frequently youth service, throughout the community. As a teaching method, it falls under the philosophy of experiential education. More specifically, it integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, encourage lifelong civic engagement, and strengthen communities for the common good.
Classes will promote service learning during the course of the academic year.
Examples of service learning can be found at:
http:/www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/servicelearning/project_ideas.htm
http://www.goodcharacter.com/SERVICE/primer-‐10.html
http://www.proteacher.org/c/868_Service_Learning_Projects.html
ANNUAL LEADERSHIP, SERVICE, SERVICE LEARNING AWARDS
LeadershipAn Annual Leadership Award will be gained by leadership action for two terms during an academic year.
ServiceAn Annual Service Award will be gained by service action for two terms during an academic year.
Service LearningAn Annual Service Learning Award will be gained by completed service learning action to a minimum Grade 4 level, during an academic year.
CitizenshipAn Annual Citizenship Award will be gained by achieving the Annual Leadership, Annual Service and Annual Service Learning Awards during an academic year.
Citizenship 2011
Al Zahra College aims to develop faithful, knowledgeable and wise citizens who take responsibility for creating a better and more peaceful world.
We will challenge our students to become active learners and critical thinkers who promote intercultural understanding and respect.
Al Zahra College
The IB Learner Profile is the
attributes and descriptors that
define the type of student that IB
hopes to develop through its
programs (for example, MYP).
THE LEARNER PROFILE
Risk-TakersCaring
Communicators
ThinkersReflective
Open
Minded
KnowledgeablePrincipled
Balanced
Inquirers
!
AL ZAHRA COLLEGE
3 - 5 Wollongong Road, ARNCLIFFE. NSW 2205
P: (+61) 2 9599 0161
F: (+61) 2 9599 0162
W: www.azc.nsw.edu.au !