Exploring space

Upper Primary pupils have really liked the IPC-unit, ‘Mission to Mars’, and they have engaged in different activities with a lot of energy. They have learnt a lot about the harsh living conditions on the red planet. They have researched the atmosphere, geographical features and different ways to explore space, for example by using rovers and telescopes. They have looked at the history of space travelling, from the first manned missions to the exciting space missions that will take place this year. Pupils have researched different energy sources used here on Earth and tried to think what could work on Mars. Friday 14^th of February, year 5/6 visited Cozmix in Bruges and got to use the telescopes, listen to an explanation of the first space mission to the moon as well as see a movie about space on a 360° screen. It was a marvellous school trip.

Pupils have also used their knowledge in different ways, for example by building a 3D diorama of a possible manned space station on Mars. They thought about the cold temperatures and the violent storms that their equipment would have to endure. Pupils used recycled resources to build space labs, shelters, rocket stations, wind turbines, solar panels, rovers, green houses etc. They have also tried to include these facts in the suspense story they wrote during the literacy lessons linked to this IPC-unit. Pupils have studied facts and showed their knowledge in a quiz and some pupils have also chosen to share their knowledge by sharing it with younger pupils here at ISG. Other pupils have walked past the displays out in the hallway and been very interested in what they have seen. Sharing knowledge with others is a great way to show one’s understanding of a topic.

During literacy lessons, pupils have looked at idioms related to space and they have made beautiful posters and they have also started using these idioms in class. “I’m over the moon”, “the sky is the limit” and “Houston, we’ve had a problem” are some of the phrases now heard in Upper Primary. They have also looked at onomatopoeia and similes. Some of them have included idioms, similes and onomatopoeia in their suspense stories.

Year 6 pupils have learnt more about average means, line graphs, conversion graphs and pie charts during Numeracy lessons. They have also looked at reflection and translation of shapes in a four quadrant co-ordinate grid. Year 5 have started learning how to write an improper fraction as a mixed number and also how to multiply a fraction by a whole number. It takes time to learn new things and some pupils have found these new Numeracy topics challenging. They have tried to be resilient.

Our Personal Values in January and February were ‘Morality’ and ‘Thoughtfulness’. Pupils have been trying to show these values during their break times and during lesson time. They are aware of the fact that we all together create the atmosphere we want to have in the classroom. There are lots of different ways of showing thoughtfulness and kindness to others! Pupils have welcomed a new classmate, Mohanashree from India who started in Upper Primary in January. Giulia turned 13 years old in February. Phoevos got the Headmasters Award during Assembly. They are now busy preparing the good-bye card to Aki, who is leaving ISG and returning to Japan. We will miss him dearly and we hope that he will make many new friends in his new school!

We end this part of the spring term with a Carnival party and pupils are excited to come to school wearing a costume the last day before the Mid-term holidays. We hope you enjoy our creative outfits and that we make you smile while looking at our photos.