March 2025 IB Connection

• March 10 - April 18 ~ IAR Testing Window
• 3/10 - 3/14: 3rd & 7th
• 3/17 - 3/21: 5th & 8th
• 4/7 - 4/11: 4th & 6th
• Week of March 3 ~ Pre-K Art Showcase
• March 4 and 6 ~ Seal to Biliteracy Exam (5th and 8th grade)
• March 10th - March 21st ~ Locke School Book Drive
• March 14 ~PAC/BAC Meeting ~ 8am
• March 17-21 ~ Network-level Spanish Oratory Competition
• March 24-28 ~ No School: Spring Break
• March 31 ~ No School: Improvement Day
• April 1 ~ No School: Parent Teacher Conferences, Locke Art Show

March is National Reading Month—a time to celebrate the joy and power of reading! At Locke, reading is more than just a skill; it is a way to explore the world, develop critical thinking, and build empathy. This connects directly to the IB framework, which encourages students to be inquirers, thinkers, and open-minded global citizens.

Families play a key role in fostering a love of reading. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate more reading at home:

• Read Together – Share books, newspapers, or comics in any language!
• Ask Questions – Talk about what you read to build deeper understanding.
• Visit the Library – Libraries offer free books, audiobooks, and activities for all ages.
• Follow Interests – Let children choose books about topics they love.

Looking for books? Visit local libraries like the West-Belmont, Austin-Irving, or Dunning branches of the Chicago Public Library (located on the corner of Narragansett and Barry). You can also explore free online resources like chipublib.org for digital books and reading programs.

Let’s celebrate National Reading Month together and inspire a lifelong love of learning!

A group of 7th grade students interested in learning about Prosser Career Academy's IB Diploma and Career Programmes visited the school for a shadow day! Students were provided a presentation about the school with a student panel of Locke alumni, sat in on IB Junior and Senior level classes, and explored Career and Technical Program shops offered. Students enjoyed seeing how they can continue their IB educations beyond Locke and were grateful for the hospitality of the students and staff at Prosser!

Our World Language teachers, Ms. Perez and Mrs. Melendez, along with our EL Resource teacher, Mrs. Solla have worked with our PYP and MYP students on their oratory skills in preparation for the Spanish Oratory Competition. After much time and practice, we have 3 students that will represent Locke and participate in the Spanish Oratory Network-level Competition later this month, March 17 - 21. Congrats to our students pictured below:

Ms. Reese's class (123) celebrated an important Black figure in the Michigan art world. They recreated the abstract sculptures created by the late Charles McGee. Charles McGee, was an artist who supported founding art programs in the state and created moving pieces that supported themes within social justice, civil rights, and the environment. McGee's work is displayed throughout the state in various museums, hospitals, and conservatories as his voice still lives on today.

Ms. Mosquera’s third grade class (107) and Mrs. Garcia’s seventh grade class (216) are reading buddies. On Valentine's Day, they exchanged valentines cards. The seventh graders wrote secret messages on special acid based paper. The third graders had to spray a special chemical to read the messages, which in turn turned the original bright yellow paper to bright red. The seventh graders received heartfelt letters from their third grade buddies. This exchange of notes made the day extra special!

As part of their IB unit of How We Express Ourselves, students in Ms. Connelly and Ms. Gil's class (Room C147) have explored music and music instruments. During the month of February, the students were introduced to African American musicians. Students discussed the instruments they used and how their music makes the students feel. They also listened to their music and danced with their peers.

For Black history month, PreK students in Ms. Braunstein, Ms. Tzakis, and Ms. Josephina's clas (C146) read the book Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the points we focused on was his "I Have a Dream" speech and what this meant to him and how he wanted to change the world. Then, we asked each student what his/her dream would be for the world. This activity focused on teaching strategies 9a- Language Expression, 18a- Comprehends and responds to texts and 30- Social Studies. It also encompassed IB learner profiles: thinker, communicator and caring.

Kindergarten students in Ms. Pantoja's Class (Room 143) spent time exploring different traditions of the Chinese New Year through art, music, literature and food. Students wrote about new year traditions and compared them to their own families' traditions, watched dragon dances, and made their own red lanterns! To ring in the new year, we gathered together for our own parade! Happy Year of the Snake!

In Mrs. Serranos's Class (226) and Ms. Soria's Class (229) students explored geometry by studying both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) shapes. They participated in hands-on activities to identify and understand the attributes of these shapes, applying precise academic vocabulary.

To bring these concepts to life, students constructed their own 3D shapes using playdough and toothpicks—a method that transformed abstract ideas into tangible learning experiences. This approach not only enhanced comprehension but also made learning engaging and enjoyable.

During the activity, students created various geometric figures, such as cubes, pyramids, and prisms. They carefully counted and identified each shape’s sides, angles, and vertices. For example, when building a cube, they observed that it consists of six faces, twelve edges, and eight vertices. This hands-on exploration allowed students to apply academic terms in context, deepening their understanding of geometric properties.

This exercise reinforced their grasp of geometry while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By constructing shapes themselves, students gained a practical appreciation for the subject matter, laying a strong foundation for future mathematical learning.

Incorporating tactile activities like this into the curriculum proves invaluable, as it bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world application, making learning both effective and enjoyable.

Also in Mrs. Serrano's class (226), students delved into the transformative power of using one's voice to effect change. Through comprehensive research, they studied various changemakers throughout history who have championed justice and equality.

This unit has empowered students to recognize their potential as agents of change, inspiring them to use their voices to advocate for a more equitable society. Here is a glimpse into their remarkable work and dedication.

Students in Ms. Viveros 4th Grade Class (112) are investigating how animals in the same environment are able to use their senses, primarily vision, to get information! Students observe how an object in a dark box becomes visible once light is added and how that may affect the survival of animals.

In Mrs. Garcia's 7th Grade science class, students concocted a sweet chemical reaction treat--making S’mores using alcohol burners for Valentine's Day. Students learn the history of this very American treat all while applying the concepts of chemical reactions: adding heat energy to the marshmallow causes the marshmallow’s atoms to vibrate, hence the marshmallow expands, becoming gooey and hot. Once the marshmallow is transferred to the graham cracker and the chocolate, it melts the chocolate creating a delicious treat!! Our compiled data shows that 20% of the seventh graders had their first ever S’more in the science classroom! Thanks Girls Scouts of America for this delicious invention!

Also in Mrs. Garcia's Science class, as an introduction to our next two life science units, students dissected bullfrogs. Students learned some anatomy, physiology and some dissection and collaboration skills. Bullfrogs may not look nothing alike externally to humans but according to the University of Rochester Medical Center, “A significant portion of a frog's organs are similar to those of a human, with estimates suggesting that around 90% of their genes are in similar "neighborhoods" as human genes, indicating a high level of organ similarity at the genetic level.”

At Locke School, we celebrate the richness of global cultures and perspectives, promoting international mindedness in all that we do. Ramadan, which will take place from the evening of February 28 to the evening of March 29 in 2025, is a deeply significant time for many in our school community, our district, and around the world. Through the lens of the IB PYP transdisciplinary theme How We Express Ourselves and the MYP global context Personal and Cultural Expression, we recognize Ramadan as an opportunity to explore how traditions, values, and personal beliefs shape identity and strengthen connections.

For those who observe it, Ramadan is a time of fasting from dawn to sunset, reflection, acts of kindness, and community gatherings. The practice encourages self-discipline, gratitude, and empathy—values that resonate across cultures and faiths. While fasting is a spiritual practice for many, the themes of generosity, patience, and togetherness are universal.

As a diverse school community, we can honor the spirit of Ramadan by fostering an environment of understanding and respect. This might include learning about different cultural traditions, providing quiet spaces for reflection, or engaging in acts of service and kindness. By embracing these shared values, we strengthen our commitment to global citizenship and the IB mission of building a more peaceful world through intercultural understanding.

Ms. Casey Mcleod (left) - IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator (PK-5) - cjmcleod@cps.edu

Ms. Anna Ziemniak (right) - IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator (6-8) - aziemniak@cps.edu

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