I took this photo when we went for the walk. I think it looks nice because it shows people on the street  making money for their living. This photo is about home-made bamboo piggy banks.

Dear Parents of Year 6 students,

We are just starting “How we express ourselves”. This is a great unit as it offers the students a wide variety of ways to develop their ability to express themselves. In specialist subjects like Art, Music and PE the students will explore self-expression through visual arts, music and movement. We will also be spending a lot of time with Mr. Tony Abbey, the Drama teacher. In homerooms, the students will be exploring the expressive aspects of language: writing, speaking and presenting.

The unit will be very “experience-based” which means that we will expose the students to many experiences that inspire them to express themselves. We will begin the unit by looking at one of the most inspirational experiences of the year – the Camp! Then, each class will have some of the following experiences:

• Walks around the NIST neighbourhood
• Visits to museums and galleries
• Exploring parts of Bangkok
• Food tasting and exposure to different cultures
• Attendance at NIST events
• Experiences involving the senses
• Any other ideas the students and teachers come up with!

Unit of Inquiry: How we express ourselves

Central idea: “Creative expression involves inspiration, limitation and reaction.”

Key Concepts: Perspective, Reflection, Connection

Related Concepts: Creativity,

Lines of Inquiry:

· reactions (ours and other people’s) to experiences, stimuli and creative expression

· what inspires us and how

· why we express ourselves creatively

· the limitations that influence creative expression

The conversations that you have at home always lead to a greater understanding of the concepts and issues that the students look at in school. Some things you could do in order to play an active role in this unit of inquiry are: discuss creativity and share examples of times in your life when you were creative; talk about inspiration and the creative expressions that have inspired you, discuss visit art galleries or other cultural events and watch TV shows that are relevant to the central idea. We are also keen to hear from parents who might be willing to share their creative expression with the whole of Year 6. We really appreciate your input!

Yours sincerely,

The Year 6 Teaching Team

So, tomorrow is our first walk around Bangkok. You will need:

• A hat (your Camp hat would be best)
• A camera
• Shoes that are good for walking
• 80 baht for a fresh fruit juice
• A sense of adventure
• A good, respectful attitude

What did you do during Chinese new year?

I went to a shrine in China Town area to get a feel of authentic Chinese new year tradition. It was really crowded because people wanted to be lucky the whole year so they went to the shrine for merit making. Before we got back, I found and bought this dragon toy that moves a bit it also has that little Chinese drum attached to it. It costed 50 baht many people who come to pray buy the Chinese dragon toy for their kids the colors also glow in the dark which is pretty cool.

If you were told you had to start a revolution at NIST or in this area of Bangkok in order to improve things, what would it be? What would you change and why?

You have been creating some great pieces of writing about the camp in Kanchanaburi. You have also been thinking about who could or should read what you have written. In order to get them to read it, you will need to work out the best way to get it to them. I am very interested in your choices, so…

Make a comment to tell us:

• Who will read your work
• How you will get it to them

By Madhav