The Communicator

Primary Years Programme (PYP) - IB World School

Middle Years Programme (MYP) - IB World School - Evaluation Fall 2017 -

Awaiting Official Report

The Learner Profile Attributes

March

Open-Minded

We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.

Let us know how you encouraged your child to be OPEN-MINDED, or any of the Learner Profile Attributes, by using the form below!

Unit: How We Organize Ourselves - Community Helpers

Students in 123 took at walk over to Jewel to see how the people who work there contribute to our community.

Unit: Who We Are - The Human Body

In 128 they read the story "My Bones" and chose to create their own human bodies to show what they know.

Unit: Sharing the Planet - Biomimicry

The students learned all about animal parents and babies learn from one another.

Unit: Where We Are In Place and Time

The Second Graders learned about important figures in history and the impact they made and took action through their Live Wax Museum.

Unit: How We Express Ourselves

The students have been inquiring into culture by exploring how literature and culture reflect shared values.

Unit: How We Organize Ourselves - Government

The 4th graders are inquiring into how governments provide structure and have been comparing what they feel are "inalienable" right to what the Bill of Rights states.

Unit: Where We Are In Place and Time - Immigration

The 5th graders completed their inquiry into immigration with their Annual Debate on March 9th. Congratulations to Room 201!

Up Next - EXHIBITION

Check them out on the Peirce Website!

You will find:

PYP Assessment Policy

PYP Language Policy

Peirce PYP Programme of Inquiry

Peirce Specialists Programmes of Inquiry

...And Much More!

Right now in Advisory we are doing Second Step. It teaches us what we should do in certain situations. We are also working on a "Right to Privacy" essay, and studying the Fourth Amendment. We're learning why people can't just ask you for your phone and see what's on there unless they have a warrant

In math we are multiplying and dividing decimals and in Science we are studying sandstorms and the Dust Bowl. In Individuals and Societies we are creating presentations on the Ancient Societies.

In Language and Literature, we are reading Warriors Don't Cry. It is the story of the Little Rock 9, the African American children who integrated the all white public schools back in the 1960's.

In Math we are studying exponential functions and Scientific Notation. In Science we are learning about Electronic Waste and how we can stop it. When we throw away computers and cell phones, they create pollution that is toxic for us. We also watched the movie Wall- E to learn more about how electronic waste affects us.

In Math we are studying how we're living Proportions. In Language and Literature, we are GOATS and learning about survival.

In Science we are looking at populations increasing and decreasing. We are looking at sea otters and making educated guesses about what has led to those changes. We are also graphing population data.

This year I am working on being more organized as well as reflective. I would like to have my dates and my to-do lists cohesive so I am more present with my colleagues, friends and family. I am also hoping to take my reflecting process to a more meaningful level where it is not just thoughts floating in my head but, actually recording events and making changes to lessons and material as I reflect.

This year I plan on taking more trips with my family and bringing everything we see and learn back into the classroom to share the experiences. I also want to plan more trips locally for students to partake in experiences outside of school.

This year I plan to explore more artistic and creative opportunities in order to grow as an individual as well as share my experience and knowledge with my students.

My professional goal for this year is to become more knowledgeable. I am hoping to do this by finishing my ELL endorsement, and finishing my challenge of trying to read 100 books this year.

To learn more about my class, please visit my website. Click HERE.

I am working on improving organizational systems for my belongings. I’m thrilled to be able to say cup runneth over when it comes to space pens (now I have 2!), and I have every intention of keeping mine in its place on my lanyard!

My goal for this year is to work on self-care moving forward in order to balance work and my personal life. As a first year teacher, my work and planning has enveloped my entire life and I have begun to realize that in order for me to be my best for the students, I need to feel my best. I am working on finishing my work by 7pm and then eating a dinner every night instead of skipping meals.

Learn more about my class by visiting my website. CLICK HERE.

This year I’m working on being balanced. I’m going to finish reading all of the titles from Battle of the Books, but I’m also joining an adult book club. I’m also working on being mindful by focusing on one task at a time.

Learn more about my class by visiting my website. CLICK HERE.

My professional goal for 2018 is to be more reflective. At the end of each week, I will spend some time thinking about the strengths and challenges from the week’s lessons. I will think about how I can improve my teaching in order for my students to get the best possible learning experience.

Learn more about my class by visiting my Google Classroom. Email me aekerkstra@cps.edu for access.

This year I’m working on being balanced as well. I’m trying to get down to my pre- teaching weight and I am starting grad school again.

This year my goal is to balance my professional and personal life. I would like to catch up on some reading that unfortunately has been put to the side since summer has ended. I am also looking forward to starting the journey to receive my ELL endorsement.

To learn more about my class, visit my website. Click HERE.

My goal this year is to be more mindful and to step back more often to see the big picture. I will not worry so much about making sure students are learning specific details but rather focus on the soft skills, the critical thinking and ability to communicate their ideas clearly. I want students to be able to articulate their thinking and to find joy in learning science!

Learn more about my class by visiting my website. CLICK HERE.

I am excited to co-facilitate the blossoming Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). I am determined to help Peirce in its quest to be a safe space for all, as well as to help LGBT students grow and feel safe within themselves.

Learn more about my class by visiting website. CLICK HERE.

This year I am hoping to be more balanced! I am looking forward to getting involved in some before and after school programs which will hopefully help me to become more knowledgeable in new areas of learning!

Learn more about my class by visiting my website. Click HERE.

This year I’ll be working on how to implement reflection more into my practice. I will reflect on how well my lessons have gone and how to improve as an educator

Learn more by visiting my class website. CLICK HERE.

My personal goal is to find sustainable routines so that what can be done as small daily tasks get done instead of becoming large weekend projects.

Major components of our Middle Years Programme promoting International Mindedness and Service as Action. International-mindedness is a view of the world in which people see themselves connected to the global community and assume a sense of responsibility to its members (from Classroom Culture, Jan.2017).

Service as Action is when apply what they are learning in the classroom and beyond. IB learners strive to be caring members of the community who demonstrate a commitment to service—making a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment (from ibo.org)

Here's how students at Peirce are demonstrating International Mindedness and Service as Action!

Samantha Becker re-started the Peirce recycling program. She organized and implemented regular meetings with students that promote and adhere to recycling in the Peirce community.

Abraham Cervantes volunteered to help with the recycling program. While waiting for his brother, he quickly came to the rescued of the group when they appeared to be needing help. He felt such success and a sense of accomplishment that he eventually joined the club.

Tekla Peterson, Nora Fox, and Hazel Roudabush have shared about their bakesale for justice. The students have been raising money for different organizations around the country and world. They have raised thousands of dollars since they started!

Sabrina Lopez brought up a discussion about the fight for immigrant rights and the struggles that American immigrants face daily during a discussion on political policies throughout our nation’s history.

The student led Paw Party Committee chose a theme for the Paw Party Celebration Dance! The theme is that students will wear black and white on Thursday in a gesture to display racial equality.

Isabella Murillo, Adaline Lauener, Miguel Torres, Lidali Perez, Lucy Kaufman, Kathy Rangel and Muriel Briggs-Scalzo used their free time to write kind notes and positive messages to stick on the lockers of 6th and 7th graders during Kindness Week

This year, Peirce is looking to raise $11,500 in scholarship money to help students in Year 2 and Year 3 go to Washington D.C this coming May. We are about $4000 away from our goal. You can help us get there in the following ways:

• PEIRCE SWAG for sale. T-shirts available for $10!
• Scarves available for $20
• Hats Available for $10
• Drawstring Bags for $3.
• If neither of the options described above appeal to you, you can always make a donation in the Peirce Main Office. No amount is too small and every contribution gets us a little closer to our goal.

• Make checks payable to HELEN C. PEIRCE school of International Studies, and on the memo line, indicate "D.C. TRIP".

  
  

Kimberly Lebovitz - PYP Coordinator

773-534-2841

kclebovitz@cps.edu

Dr. Talyia Eve Riemer - MYP Coordinator

773-534-2440

teriemer@cps.edu

Website: peirce.cps.k12.il.us
Location: 1423 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States
Phone: 773-534-2440