I can count on you, like 4, 3, 2...

During the last weeks of school, Upper Primary pupils continued learning about different aspects of weather and climate. Pupils built their own weather stations and used different instruments to measure air pressure, wind direction and temperature. Some instruments worked better than others, so there was a lot of problem-solving going on. Not all experiments are successful, but we can always learn from them. In our classroom, we have a poster with a basic ‘Creative problem-solving’ cycle. Pupils now understand how the cycle works.

Pupils had to ask themselves “Does this instrument work?”

If the answer was “Yes, it works!” they could use it to make careful observations of the weather.

If the answer was “No”, they had to investigate why and see if and how they could improve on the instrument.

Upper Primary pupils really liked the lesson when Mr Carlos, a researcher at the Weather and Climate facility, New Mexico Tech University, USA, came to tell them more about clouds. Mr Carlos studies clouds and chases hurricanes, so pupils could not ask for a better teacher when learning about clouds. Pupils then had a home learning task where they were asked to study clouds themselves. They were a bit unlucky, stratus clouds covered the skies in Belgium almost the whole week when they made their observations. The ones that waited until Sunday afternoon for their observations were able to draw and explain more about cumulonimbus clouds. Then there was rain, thunder and lightning!

To wrap up this IPC unit, Middle Primary pupils were invited to our Exit Point. Upper Primary pupils guided interested school mates around – and by explaining to others what they have learnt, pupils realised that they now know a lot about Weather and Climate!

Pupils have been wrapping up other things as well, they have reached the end of their book with different Spelling rules. They have finished off the last tasks in their Numeracy book and handed in Textbook 3 to Miss Jenny. There has been a lot of learning going on this year! Pupils have practised some new things as well, they have now learnt how paint with charcoal, how to play cricket and also how to play an instrument together with others in a band. They did an excellent job during the End-of-year show, when they performed ‘Rocky Mountain’ and ‘Count on me’ by Bruno Mars.

Pupils have also been on a school trip to visit an art exhibition in Stekene, where we saw how wind and air pressure can make huge objects move. The beach creatures that Theo Jansen had built were impressive! Pupils have also had lots of fun activities before the end of the school year. They played for a whole day at a fun activity park in Deinze, they have prepared art work for our new school building and during our last Wednesday together, Zara threw her birthday party with lots of yummy treats for all Primary pupils.

ISG pupils gathered for one last Assembly before the summer holidays. It was nice to be together one last time!

Now we have reached the end of this school year! We wish Diba good luck with her new school and the rest of us will meet again in September! Until then, we will all enjoy a (hopefully) sunny summer holiday! When we see each other again, it will be in our new school building! So exciting!