We were the Top Trumps Group. Our group’s goal was for new students to learn more about IST by playing a card game. We chose this topic because we all knew how new students feel when they to to new, fascinating schools, possibly in different, unique countries.

We learned

• that new teachers and students are super important
• that there are many events at school
• that taking notes when doing research is very important

Our advice to grade 4 students would be that they try to be team players. These are people who are willing to work as a team to complete tasks or overcome difficulties. Being team players helped us to cooperate and we ended up with a great innovation project that was extremely creative and unique. See our cards on Mr. Kimber’s blog.

Below are individual reflections from the Top Trumps Group. To read each reflection, click on the link and download the file.

Arthur’s reflection essay

Peter’s reflection essay

Seung Wook’s reflection essay

Zen’s reflection essay

We learned

• that it’s very important to finish projects on time
• that it’s very important to make a good effort
• how to keep work organized and handed in on time.

Our advice to fourth graders is to be honest about your opinions when you discuss with your mentors or your group members. Being honest about your opinions means to tell others exactly how you thought of it. Being honest is important because your idea might help the whole group accomplish the goal. You have to be sure that you will be honest when you are discussing something.

Here are the reflection essays of some of our group members. To read each reflection, click on the link to download the file. 

Rina’s Exhibition reflection essay

Sandy’s Exhibition reflection essay

Sidney’s Exhibition reflection essay

Zoe’s Exhibition reflection essay

The 2012 Exhibition Environment Group minus Hannah

We were the Environment Group. Our goal was to renew the lunch time activity, Roots and Shoots. We wanted to educate the IST community  and we suceeded. We now have a wonderful group of 11 students in the Roots and Shoots Club. Roots and Shoots will be a big part of IST.

We learned:

• that you need to make sure everyone understands what to do
• that you need a goal to start off with and to work towards
• that you should set essential agreements and try to have minimum disagreements
• that you should have serious times, but make sure you have lots of fun!

Our advice to fourth graders would be to choose a topic for the Exhibition that they are passionate about, not waste time playing and not try to do too many things at once. Always work as a team.

Below are individual reflections from Environment Group members. To read each reflection, click on the link and download the file. (Note: Essays will be uploaded soon pending teacher revision.)

Charles’s reflection essay

Rachel’s reflection essay

Esther’s reflection essay

Hannah’s reflection essay

We were the Sports Group. Our project was to host an inter-school, mini-olympics competition. We chose this because we wanted to help people improve their fitness and become healthier. Also, we wanted to make friends from other schools.

We learned

• that disagreeing sometimes helps make ideas better
• that deadlines can make you work faster and better
• that taking notes helps to keep organized
• that assigning one job to each person is good time management

Our advice to fourth graders is to work hard and to finish things on time. Do not mess around too much. Don’t fight too much and work together. Lastly, don’t argue too much and don’t waste too much time.

Below are individual reflections from the Sports Group. To read, click on the link and download the file.

Grace’s reflection essay

Evan’s reflection essay

Andy’s reflection essay

We were the New Student Magazine Group. Our goal was to make a new student magazine to help new students feel more welcome. Our book contained information new students should know before coming to IST. We chose this topic because most of us had experienced a difficult time when first coming to IST, and we didn’t want others to go through the same thing we did.

We learned

• that cooperation between team members is key to success
• that keeping deadlines is important
• that organization is hard to achieve
• to always exert your best efforts

Our advice to fourth graders is to try their best to cooperate. It can be disastrous if you split up and do whatever you want. You should always work as a team. Sometimes you will need to step back, take a deep breath, and allow others to also sometimes get their way. Some learner profiles you should try to be are open-minded, caring, inquirer and risk-taker.

Below are individual reflections from members of the New Student Magazine Group. To read, click on the link and download the file.

In Seon’s reflection essay

Isabella’s reflection essay

Photo courtesy of Mr. Kimber's blog, http://istianjinelearning.org/mattkimber

We were the Friendship Group. Our focus was to learn about making lasting friendships in an international environment. We chose this group because we believe that there is no such thing as bullying, only friendship.

We learned:

• that we should work together
• to communicate with teachers when needed
• always to finish work in your best quality

Our advice for fourth graders is that when they are working, never goof around because if you do, you will get in trouble and you won’t get any work done. Never be nervous about talking to the teachers because if you don’t understand and do something, you will get it all wrong and the teacher will get mad at you. You must have a clear idea of what you are doing and what you are going to do. Always try your best.

Here are individual reflections from Friendship Group members. To read their reflections, please click on the link and download the file.  (Files are pending teacher revision. They will be uploaded soon.)

Nina’s Exhibition reflection

Su Bin’s Exhibition reflection

Jenny’s Exhibition reflection

Danyal’s Exhibition reflection

Jin Jin’s Exhibition reflection

Our group was the Storybook Group. Our project was to make interesting stories for younger children from kindergarten to grade 2. We are all ESL students so we are in this group together.

We learned:

• how to organize ourselves to write a book
• more English grammar and vocabulary
• which books are good for kindergarten to grade 2 students
• how to make interview questions

We would like to tell fourth grade students to focus on their work and think carefully about the exhibition.

Here are individual reflections from the Storybook Group students. To read, please click on the link and download.

Dong Yeop’s reflection essay

Gyeong Won’s reflection essay

Hanyu’s reflection essay

Hyun Ji’s reflection essay

Krespo’s reflection essay

Min Young’s reflection essay

Mu Hyun’s reflection essay

Peiqing’s reflection essay

We were the Exhibition Blog group. Our project was to keep a blog about the exhibition and about all the groups from a student’s perspective instead of a teacher’s perspective. We chose this group because it sounded challenging, fun and interesting.

We learned

• how to write a good blog post
• how to agree and how to argue productively with our group members
• how to be more tidy.

Our advice to fourth graders is to be inquirers during the exhibition: ask lots of questions, listen to what the others are saying, and don’t forget to peer edit!

Here are reflection essays from each of the members of the group. To read, please download by clicking on the link.

Hilma’s Exhibition reflection essay

Seo Young’s Exhibition reflection essay

Chloe’s Exhibition reflection essay

Photo courtesy of Mr. Kimber's blog. Click on the photo to see more photos from the night.

The G5 Exhibition Finale on 2 May was very successful. Students performed for parents with each group highlighting their learning in a musical piece or a skit, and then the audience visited the Exhibition displays.

Please visit Mr. Kimber’s blog for photos and a video of the exhibition.

Stay tuned as we will be posting final reflection posts from each group along with reflective essays written by each student.

The Sports Group responded to our interview questions about their Mini-Olympics, held on 17 April.

How did the day go overall?

Our Mini Olympics went quick well although it was a tough job getting the guest visitors to calm down and listen to the instructions that they were given. I think the students enjoyed the Mini-Olympics a lot judging by their happy expressions when they participated in each event.

What were the activities offered?

Dodge Ball – Everyone had to run to the balls in hope to get one to throw at the opposition. No one was allowed to have more than 3 balls at any one time. Anyone who got hit by a ball was out, unless they were hit in the face. Anyone who caught the ball, made the person who threw out. The team with the last player still in wins.

Beanbag Game – Players were separated into two groups. Each group was on either side of the badminton net. There were 13 beanbags on each side of the net. When the whistle blew, the visitors ran to grab them and throw them to the other side of the net. Anyone who threw more than 1 bag at a time had a 1 minute timeout. The aim was to throw all the beanbags to the other side of the net. In the end,  the side with the least beanbags wins.

Obstacle Course – The obstacles included playground features: platforms, the red rope climbing frame, a rock wall, the slide, the sandpit. Runners from each team ran in pairs and had to retrieve a flag from the top of the climbing frame.

Football Game – The group was divided into four teams. Team members were numbered off from 1 to 5. When a person’s number was called they ran to the middle where there were about 30 soccer balls. They had to dribble a ball back to their team, ending their turn. Each team member got a turn. The team with the largest number of returned balls won.

Which activity seemed the favorite? How could you tell?

The obstacle course because everyone was cheering for their teammates and having a good time competing with one another to be the first to get all their players over all the obstacles.

What did you learn from organizing it?

We learned that organizing an event is not as easy as we thought it would be, and that people have fun at these types of events while getting fit.

How could you improve on the organization?

We should give the instructions more clearly and we should have students do something while they were waiting for their turn.