November 2024 IB Connection

November 4th, 12pm-3pm + 4pm-6pm ~ Parent Teacher Conferences
We hope to see all of our parents/families in person to connect with your student's teachers and to celebrate student success in Quarter 1. Should you be unable to attend, please reach out to your student's teacher(s) to schedule a virtual meeting.

November 5th ~ No School - Election Day

November 7th and 8th ~ Quarter 1 Awards Ceremonies

Check out our SY 25 photo gallery for Q1 Awards classroom photos after the event.

November 25th-November 29th ~ No School - Thanksgiving Break

In the adoption of the Skyline curriculum this year, your student will encounter a unique approach to learning—one that might look a bit different from traditional methods. Our curriculum is designed to encourage students to experience what educators call “productive struggle” and “the learning pit,” where they tackle challenging concepts with a sense of independence and resilience. Though it may seem like a hands-off approach, this model of learning is carefully crafted to promote self-reliance, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of knowledge—all qualities central to the IB philosophy of student agency and inquiry.

Research shows that students who experience productive struggle retain knowledge more deeply than those who receive instant guidance. This learning method involves trial and error, persistence, and sometimes frustration—but all in the service of greater understanding. Imagine your child working through a complex math problem or a difficult text. Instead of immediately turning to the teacher or a parent for help, they explore strategies and solutions on their own, gradually arriving at a solution through their own efforts.This aligns with the IB philosophy, fostering inquiry and student agency as students learn to navigate challenges and make sense of concepts on their own. While it may seem difficult, it’s an essential way for students to build confidence and ownership of their learning.

We understand that watching your child struggle can be challenging as a parent, but with the right approach, you can play a valuable role in supporting their journey through the learning pit:

1. Encourage Perseverance: Remind your student that it’s okay not to have the answer right away. Let them know that struggling is part of learning and that the effort they’re putting in will pay off. Phrases like, “I can see you’re working really hard,” or “What strategy might you try next?” can be very encouraging.
2. Model a Growth Mindset: Show your student that you also encounter challenges and that mistakes are a normal part of learning. Sharing your own experiences with learning something difficult can make them feel more comfortable with their own struggles.
3. Ask Questions, Not Solutions: When your child is struggling, instead of offering solutions, try asking questions like, “What have you tried so far?” or “What do you think would happen if you tried a different approach?” Open-ended questions promote their independence and critical thinking.
4. Celebrate Progress: Whether it’s mastering a single problem or simply making a small breakthrough, celebrating these moments helps students recognize their progress, building their confidence and motivation.

By embracing productive struggle, they’re developing into independent, resilient, and reflective learners prepared to meet the challenges of an interconnected and ever-changing world.

Our next parent advisory council (PAC) meeting is scheduled for November 8th at 8am in the Library. We'd love to see you there! The November 8th meeting will begin with "Coffee with Mr. Fitz"!

Thank you to our parent volunteers, staff, and students for helping complete our library renovation project! We are so excited to announce that our first book check sessions with students was a huge success. We look forward to our next check out sessions scheduled for November!

Our students recently attended a Chinese Cultural Festival, actively engaging with diverse traditions and customs. Through performances, art, and cuisine, they demonstrated international mindedness by exploring and appreciating the richness of Chinese culture. This experience aligns with their role as global citizens, fostering a deeper understanding of different perspectives and encouraging them to take action in celebrating diversity. The festival provided a meaningful opportunity for our IB learners to connect with the world beyond the classroom, embodying the spirit of inquiry and intercultural awareness.

Reading Buddies pairs 1st graders with 5th graders, 2nd graders with 6th, 3rd graders with 7th, and 4th graders with 8th. During the last week of October, students read books and completed activities focused on anti-bullying and inclusion. Members of Locke’s Honor Society also read Room on the Broom to preschool and kindergarten students. In December, the groups will meet again to write letters of encouragement and love for children fighting illnesses.

October is principal appreciation month, and Locke's 4th and 5th graders turned out to celebrate Mr. Fitz! He was surprised with an assembly where students greeted him donned in the sports gear (Mr. Fitz is a big sports fan - Go White Sox!) with posters and giant blown up photos of him. They shared speeches, poems, and letters all about the impact that Mr. Fitz has had on Locke school. Mr. McPhail and the choir performance the song "Larger than Life" by The Backstreet Boys, which represents Mr. Fitz' personality and leadership. Lastly, students played a trivia game, "Who Knows Mr. Fitz The Best" and tested their knowledge on his life, interests, and hobbies. The Locke Lions truly look up to and appreciate their Lion King, Mr. Fitz!

Recently, a group of Steinmetz College Prep (SCP) students, and proud alumni of Locke, visited our 8th-grade classes to talk about the school in preparations for the high school application process. SCP is Locke's MYP Partner school, which enables students to experience the full IB continuum education from the primary years programme (PYP) to the middle years programme (MYP) at both Locke and Steinmetz, and finally the Diploma Programme (DP), a rigorous two year program that prepares students for college-level courses.

They shared insights about Steinmetz’s unique International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, describing how these challenging and supportive programs have enriched their high school experience. The Steinmetz students answered questions from Locke’s 8th graders, offering honest reflections on high school life, academic expectations, and what it takes to succeed. Locke students got to reflect on their dream high school by creating images of what it might look like and got to compete in a Kahoot game with fun facts about Steinmetz. Thank you to Sofia, Kamila, Volodymyr (Locke Class of 2020) and Camila (Locke Class of 2021) for visiting!

Should parents/families have further questions or want to learn more about SCP and the IB Programmes offered there, please reach out to Ms. Ziemniak, Locke MYP coordinator, via email aziemniak@cps.edu.

Please also visit this link on Locke school website to learn more about IB High Schools - presentation/resources provided in both English and Spanish!

Student in Ms. Tabares' class (Room 145) invited their families to join us for a special celebration. Everyone brought pictures, objects, and stories that highlight their Hispanic heritage. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their traditions and connect with one another. Thank you to all the families who participated in making this event meaningful and fun! Your contributions helped us celebrate the rich diversity that makes our school community so special.

Students in Mrs. Richard’s kindergarten class (room 142) is enthusiastically mastering the alphabet! The students have been hard at work learning letter names, sounds, writing letters and numbers, and practicing how to write their names. To make learning even more fun, they used shaving cream to practice writing letters—a sensory-filled activity that turned into a super fun and educational day!

Mrs. Mantai's first grade class (Room 230) researched about animal defenses to create informational articles. The class used a combination of digital and traditional literacy to research and write facts about their chosen topic. The articles also included text features such as labels, a heading and a caption. To extend their learning, teams worked together to create models of various animal defenses including spines and camouflage.

In Ms. Herzog's 4th-grade Art class, students are diving into the creative world of printmaking as part of their visual arts curriculum. They are working on an exciting project where they design unique backgrounds for their large-scale drawings of original flora and fauna. The students carefully plan and print these backgrounds, using different techniques and materials to bring their visions to life. This process encourages them to explore textures, colors, and patterns, adding depth to their artwork. The combination of printmaking and drawing allows them to experiment with layering while developing a deeper understanding of both mediums. It’s a fantastic way for them to express their creativity!

Students in Ms. Salen's 5th grade ELA class, rooms 204 and 206 are engaging in pair reading sessions with our class novel Ghost by Jason Reynolds. This collaborative approach helps them enhance their reading fluency and deepen their comprehension as they discuss key themes, characters, and events together. By reading in pairs, they strengthen their literacy skills while enjoying the story’s rich narrative.

In Mrs. Garcia's science classes, 7th grade students have been investigating the geology of Mars. Students compared and contrasted the four rocky planet's hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. They also completed a lab to determine if water could be the cause of channels forming on Mars. Our students also had the unique opportunity to experience as custom presentation crafted by the Cook County Farm Bureau titled "Illinois Soil vs. Martian Soil." We thank Mr. Galassini for coming to present to us, bringing samples of Illinois rocks and soil!

In Mr. Rossiter's math class, students are independently constructing their own triangles out of spaghetti, then seeing who in the class has a triangle similar to theirs. Students are seen measuring angles and side lengths to prove similarity.

As election season approaches, it presents a unique opportunity for us to help our students develop as global citizens. In the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), the transdisciplinary theme of “How We Organize Ourselves” and the global context of “Globalization and Sustainability" stand out. These themes provide important connections to understanding the role of elections, governance, and decision-making on both local and global levels.

How We Organize Ourselves focuses on the systems and communities that shape how we live and work together. Elections are a perfect example of how societies organize themselves, as they determine leadership, laws, and policies that affect daily. In the global context of Globalization and Sustainability, we see how decisions made by elected leaders ripple across borders. Policies on climate change, trade, human rights, and environmental sustainability are all shaped by leaders who represent their communities. By making these connections, students realize that their roles as citizens extend beyond their local communities—they are part of a global system where every decision matters.

Here are a few ways to support your child’s development during this season:

1. Encourage Open Conversations: Ask your child what they are learning about voting, government, and leadership in their classes. These discussions help children understand the importance of organization, decision-making, and their role in contributing to their community.

2. Make Global Connections: Election season is a great time to talk about how decisions made by leaders impact global issues like climate change, human rights, and sustainability. Help your child see the link between local elections and broader global challenges, highlighting the role of leaders in making a difference worldwide.

3. Model Respect and Empathy: Election seasons often bring a variety of opinions. We can teach our children the value of open-mindedness, respect, and empathy by modeling thoughtful dialogue and embracing different perspectives. This reinforces their understanding of being caring, principled, and globally minded citizens.

By using this time as a learning opportunity, we can help our children become active, informed, and compassionate global citizens ready to make a difference in the world.