Follow:
Browsing Tag:

international school

    Student Work: Type as Image

    This is my second time teaching a semester-long Graphic Design elective to high school students. I have a much smaller class this year with only 12 students.

    As part of our typography unit, I showed this video by Ji Lee on Type as Image (I edited out some of it). After that, I had the students create their own Type as Image vectors in Inkscape. They had a little less than five class periods to create their words. I had them present their top three designs.

    I’ve been very impressed with how quickly this group picked up vector design. Here are a few of their Type as Image creations:

     

    Type as image: walk

     

    Type as image: treausre

     

    Type as image: tie

     

    Type as image: tetris

     

    Type as image: scacchic

     

    Type as image: rollercoaster

     

    Type as image: music

     

    Type as image: look

     

    Type as image: increase

     

    Type as image: foot

     

    Type as image: cut

     

    Type as image: cosmetic

     

    Type as image: barcode

     

    The students will make refinements based on my suggestions before adding the project to their portfolios.

    Which word was your favorite?

    (You can see a photo of the Type as Image projects from last year in this post.)

    Share:

    Library Reading Program

    I started brainstorming last semester how I could run a library reading program to encourage our students to read. (Other librarians probably already know how to run different kinds of contests, but being a librarian is still new to me!) One of the challenges I faced is the fact it had to be something that would work for both elementary and secondary students. We also have a large population of ESL (English as a Second Language) students. I wanted to create a program where they wouldn’t feel discouraged because they may not be able to read as many books as native English speakers.

    I decided to make a contest based on chance. For every book they read, students receive one ticket to put in a jar. At the end of the semester, I will draw winners. Students who read more books have a better chance to win, but it’s possible that students who read only one book could win.

    I purchased a Kindle Fire (7″ display, 8GB with Wi-Fi) in the States this summer for the big prize. I also decided to have two bookstore gift certificates prizes and a pizza party for the grade that reads the most number of books.

    Here is the flyer and rules that went home at the beginning of the school year:

    Reading program rules

    Reading Program Rules:

    • The reading program is open to all third through twelfth graders. Second graders may enter into the pizza party competition.
    • For every fiction and non-fiction book you read this semester, you can get one ticket to put in the drawing. You must fill out a book entry form in order to get your name in the jar!
    • The entire book must be read between the dates of August 22, 2013 and December 16, 2013. Book entry forms can be picked up and dropped off outside the library.
    • Books that are assigned for any class assignment, book report, lit circle, etc. may NOT count as an entry. However, if a teacher and their class fill out one form, it can count towards the most read books for the class pizza party.
    • This competition is a privilege. Do not use class time to read unless all other work is finished. Entries may be disqualified via your teacher’s discretion.
    • 3rd–6th graders: Books may be either from the OIS library or parent approved Scholastic Order books or parent approved Book Sale books. Books must be in English. Books should be at your reading level. (No OIS E FIC or S FIC picture books.)
    • 7th–12th graders: Books may be either from the OIS library or parent approved books. Books must be in English. Books should be at your reading level. (Many OIS Library J FIC books are allowed.)

     

    The kids were really excited about the program when I introduced it at the beginning of the year. (Though some weren’t because they already hand an e-reader.) The entry jar sits on my desk:

     

    Library reading program entry jar

     

    I created entry forms and printed them onto green paper. After a student finishes reading a book, they are required to tell basic information and write a summary about the book.

     

    Reading Program Entry Forms

     

    After I approve the form, I cut out the entry slip corner and stick it in the jar. We’re already six weeks into school and the jar is filling up!

     

    Reading program entry jar

     

    To keep track of the class who reads the most books, I file the completed forms by grade. So far, seventh grade is in the lead with fifth grade following closely behind:

     

    Entry filing system

     

    I’ve been pleased that there’s been more secondary student traffic in the library than last year. Some elementary students come during their recess time to read. I just love my little readers!

     

    Recess readers

     

    You can download my simplified lower elementary reading entry form here.
    Download my upper elementary through secondary reading entry form here.

    When the semester is over, I’ll do a follow up about how it went and things I might change if I do the program again.

     

    {Update: Read the follow up here!}

     

    Share:

    My Sixth Grade Classroom

    And so another school year has begun. Just before we traveled back to Turkey, I was informed that due to a smaller class size (16 students vs. my 22 students last year), I would be moving classrooms. Last year I wanted a fun looking classroom, but didn’t know what decorations fit the age of sixth grade students. Now that I have a year under my belt, I felt like I have a much better idea of what to put in my classroom.

    On the first day of school, I had all of the teachers from my hall sign a white board welcoming back the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students.

     

    Upper elementary hallway

     

    I was excited to move to the new room because there is a separated nook for centers. I also use this space for Bible class. It is nice to have a more relaxed part of the classroom where students can read or work in pairs. There are many different books that students can borrow when their work is finished. Recently, the favorite books have been the I Spy books by Jean Marzollo. These books are especially great for my ESL students because they learn new words as they identify objects.

     

    Sixth Grade Classroom

     

    I also dedicated this section to hold my craft supplies and supplemental work for students who finish early. There are several small games, pattern blocks, and a section where students can buy school supplies.

    I spent a lot of time creating a theme. I finally decided to call the classroom The Sixth Grade Lion’s Den @ Oasis. I thought that this was a simple enough theme, while still sticking to a laid back atmosphere.

    The pencil hanging from the ceiling was given to me last year by two teacher friends. It’s made from a mini wooden fence post and has worked well as a name plate for my room. I have many gifts from students in this section of the classroom that make it a unique atmosphere, including a crown (from a Spanish student), Dutch flag, and a catapult left over from a science fair project.

    The birthday wall is still a work in progress, but it should be finished by the end of the week. I printed bricks onto A3 paper and put them up to make it look like a brick wall. I have some birthdays coming up soon, so I’m having my student assistant help me with the board.

    This is my favorite part of the classroom. I think it is important for students to feel comfortable when they are participating in the learning process.

    As of now, this is my bulletin board for important information. I created a table cleaner schedule for the whole year and put it on this board so that the students can have advance notice of their duties. I also post the monthly character trait and other pertinent information here:

     

    Sixth Grade Classroom - character board

     

    This year, I thought I’d take a chance and get a class fish. After a series of elections, the class decided to name our new fish Shark Bait. I found him at a pet store in Cepa mall. The owners gave me a great deal that included the fish, bowl, and the food. This was a big hit with my students, especially my lower elementary Bible students.

     

    Class Pet Goldfish

     

    To give the students ownership of their classroom, I hung a flag for the countries represented in my class on the bottom of the paper lanterns.

     

    Sixth Grade International Classroom

     

    I have the classroom set up with two whiteboards and a walkway down the middle of the desks. Having that walkway has been great for proximity control. I also really enjoy having two whiteboards. It is nice to be able to write on one whiteboard, while the projector is being shown on the other.

     

    Sixth Grade Classroom

     

    Each of the colored paper sections are dedicated to a different subject. My goal is to hang the objectives here as well as extra notes and tips. I bought the mirrors at IKEA and placed them so I could see when someone walks through the door:

     

    Sixth Grade Classroom - subject board areas

     

    The bulletin board near my desk is covered in schedules and other paperwork. The students thought that the lamp mounted sideways was really neat:

     

    Sixth Grade Classroom - teacher's desk

     

    I had a teacher friend give me these superhero parts of speech posters. They are a great decoration for sixth grade and a great teaching tool as well.

     

    Sixth Grade Classroom

     

    I am really enjoying teaching this year. It’s great to back to a routine, and I am excited about the smaller class size.

    Share:

    Tour of the Library

    Welcome to the library! I work at an international school. Our library serves approximately 250 students from preschool through twelfth grade. We have around 8,500 books and videos (and counting!) that students can check out.

    Here’s what it looks like when I’m not inside the library or when the door is closed. (See those green forms? I’m hosting a reading program to win a Kindle Fire this semester. I’ll do a post on that sometime soon.)

     

    Library door

     

    There are two rooms in the library. This is the main area. You can see my desk to the left, work tables for library classes, and the reference and periodical section to the right. The preschoolers through sixth graders have library class once a week for about 40 minutes. Several students pop in during their free time or during recess.

     

    Teacher's desk and reference section

     

    I updated a lot of the signage this year. Here’s the “Take Care!” rules for the library, the books, and each other. (The “Take Care!” signs can be downloaded for free at TeachersPayTeachers.com.)

     

    Library Take Care signs

     

    Another new set of signs is the “May I Take it Home, How Many, and How Long” series:

     

    Library check out signs

     

    The main room also houses the non-fiction books:

     

    Non-fiction section

     

    Elementary students learn about the Dewey Decimal system during library classes:

     

    Non-fiction signs

     

    We also have a reading nook and pillows for the kids to use during their reading time:

     

    Library reading nook

     

    The other section is the fiction room:

     

    Fiction room

     

    We have lots and lots of picture books:

     

    Picture books

     

    And leveled reading step books:

     

    Picture and step reading books

     

    There is a large juvenile fiction section:

     

    Juvenile fiction shelves

     

    And a small, but ever growing secondary fiction section:

     

    Secondary fiction section

     

    This year, I added two new bookcases to hold book series. (The elementary grades especially love Geronimo Stilton, The Magic Tree House, and A to Z Mysteries!) I feature new and recommended books on this short shelf:

     

    Featured books and the series shelf

     

    The library is a pretty cool place! Personally, I can’t wait for it to be even cooler when the fall weather finally gets here:

     

    Library temperature

     

    Are there any new books you’d recommend for me to purchase this year?

    Share:

    The First Day of School

    School started on Thursday, so we only had a 2-day first week! We were so excited for the kids to arrive. It was wonderful to see our returning students and to meet our new students.

     

    Benedicts on the first day of school

     

    Kids waiting outside

     

    Once the bell rang, the entire school met together outside for a welcome assembly. In the past, the director has given away 5TL to a student who can recite the OASIS acronym: Outstanding Character, Academic Excellence, Servant Leadership, Intellectual Curiosity, Sportsmanship. This is our school’s tenth year in existence, so he changed it up and offered 10TL! A fifth grader volunteered but couldn’t remember the acronym, so the director told him he could tell the top 10 things he loved about Oasis. The student came up with funny quips like recess, the time the school let out, and how he got in trouble for silly things. BUT! When he got to number 10, guess what he said? The library! I cheered loudly.

     

    The director giving a speech

     

    Another first day tradition Oasis has is for all of the students to take a moment of silence and walk around the school. It’s a time for students to be thankful in their hearts for everyone who made the school and their being at the school possible. The processional was lead by two seniors who held our school flag and the Turkish flag:

     

    Seniors leading the walk with flags

     

    Students walking around the school

     

    It was a great kick off to the new school year!

     

    Flowers outside the school

    Share:

    Running Club’s 10K to Panora

    During the last two months, I trained with the running club. The running club met once a week since last fall. It is a group of sixth grade students led by two friends of mine. After running in the ActiveWater 5k, the running club set a goal to run 10 kilometers from our neighborhood to Panora Mall.

    The two boys that ran with me are both in my sixth grade class. I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with them outside of the formal classroom setting. As we ran, we worked together to find a reasonable, but challenging pace.

     

    Running Club's 10k race

     

    Panora Mall

     

    Because we live in Ankara, the first 6 or 7 kilometers were pretty much uphill, with over 600 feet in altitude gain. We were fortunate to have a good downhill finish.

     

    Nike Run Info

     

    Running towards Panora

     

    When we reached the finish, there were friends waiting for us with water and congratulations.

     

    Approaching the finish line

     

    I am proud of all of my running partners. They demonstrated hard work and perseverance throughout the race. I’ve had a lot of fun and am thankful for the conversations we’ve had on the trail.

     

    The Running Club