As things are winding down towards the end of the term we come to the end of the second last week of term 2. With this in mind, we will be doing an informal test week next week as an opportunity for the students to see what they have learnt during the term. These test does not count towards any grade or progression but is purely a way for students to show what they excel in, and inform me what students still need to work on.

The test schedule as well as the areas covered have been handed out to the students. In short, the test schedule is as follows: Monday – Math; Tuesday – English Writing; Wednesday – IMYC and Thursday – English (SPaG)

This week in English, we concluded our unit on persuasive writing by looking at news articles, their structure and their purpose and tone.

In Science, we looked at DNA, Genes and inheritance of traits. The students got to “create” a unique DNA sequence for a dog that yielded a unique dog for each student.

In History, we looked at Chronology seeing what we know about when significant events took place.

In Math, we focused on algebra, especially equations and manipulated them to give the desired outcome. Students solved equations and changed the subject of the formula.

We also had the opportunity to act as mentors and help Ms Sims’ class to construct their model houses for their unit on buildings.

Remember to take the home Covid test on Sunday and to only let us know if there is a positive result.

That is all for this week, I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend,

Back to in-class teaching, to everyone’s great relief, as we continue with great learning.

In Math, we did some pre-algebra number work in preparation for the algebra section that we started on Friday. The students revised adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with positive and negative integers as well as with decimal numbers. We also had a quick recap on rounding decimal numbers.

In IMYC, we started with a new subsection of science and are looking at living things and the seven characteristics of living things. The students also did a survey amongst their fellow pupils to gather data on different characteristics to present graphically. For History, we looked at different sources of history and identified whether they are primary, secondary or tertiary sources, as well as ranked them on reliability and usefulness for the study of history. In Design the students had to manufacture a fabric mask along the theme of their chosen celebration, concurrently they had to think about how to write a step by step design plan to manufacture their mask. The students will next complete their design plans to give to another student to manufacture their mask.

In English, we looked at different ways to enhance our persuasive letters to friends, including humour, puns, reframing arguments and antithesis. The student then had to write an informal letter and use a peer review system to help improve their letters.

That is all for this week, hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend, remember to do a rapid Covid test on Sunday (students did receive two more tests – for Sunday and Wednesday).

Well done to everyone for completing a week of online teaching. It was the last short week for the term due to election day on Wednesday.

This week in English we looked at the difference between formal and informal letters in their format and how they differ in tone. We also looked at how we can use persuasive techniques when writing informal letters.

In Math we looked at the equation for linear functions (y = mx + c). We used tables as well as the equation itself to draw straight line graphs as well as getting the equation from straight lines and just two points on the line.

In IMYC: Science we studied the electromagnetic spectrum its uses and dangers and how it is divided into seven sections. In History, we looked at the shortcomings of primary sources of history especially eyewitness accounts of things.

For PE we did an online work out and then tried some just dance videos for a fun cardio workout.

Sorry for the lack of pictures this week, but since we were online all the time there was a lack of photo opportunities.

We are at the end of another week, this one being a bit shorter due to the public holiday on Tuesday the 1st of March. It is known as ‘Samil Jeol’ in Korean and is a public holiday in South Korea, that commemorates March 1st Independence Movement in 1919.

This week in Math, we continued to learn about enlargements of shapes using scale factors as well as enlargements of shapes from a given Centre of enlargement. We also started looking at straight line graphs and how to draw them using a table and a set of generated coordinates.

In English, we looked ad some more persuasive devices to be used in persuasive writing, especially formal letters. We also explored how to use different punctuation marks and what their function is when writing.

In IMYC: Science we looked at different properties of waves and how these affect sound waves. In Design and Technology, we used food items to create natural dyes and made use of different dyeing techniques to create a pattern on the material we dyed. In History, we looked at some primary sources that we could use to research the history of the school.

This week we also celebrated world book day and some of the students dressed up as characters from their favourite books, we also set aside some time just to read in celebration of the day.

As you are all aware there a staff member has tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday and the students were required to return home according to the school’s Covid policy. This, however, does not impact next week’s classes and school will resume for our class on Monday.

All students have also been issued with two Covid home test kits and we ask that you self test on Sunday and Wednesday evenings as a precaution against the spread of the virus. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

That is all for this week, see you all back at school on Monday.

Have a great weekend.

This week in a nutshell:

In English, we looked at more persuasive devices, especially how it relates to writing speeches. The students chose topics with partners to create persuasive arguments and counterpoints for what they think their “opponent” might say.

In Science, we looked more at light and are busy learning more about waves in order to understand the wave nature of light. We had some fun creating different types of waves using a slinky spring.

In History, the students created an information “website” researching different days celebrated in a country of their choice. During Design the students looked at different natural dyes used for colouring materials as well as different techniques to create patterns in the material when dyeing it. Next week Wednesday we will be creating pattern dyed materials using natural dyes.

In Math, we looked at translations and especially rotations around different points. We also started looking at enlargements and revised scale factors.

As you all know we had a day and a half of me online teaching from home while I waited for the result of my Covid PCR test. The students did well to continue their learning even with this disruption.

That is all for this week. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

And here we are at the end of yet another busy week in class.

This week saw the students testing the sound dampening boxes that they designed and made for IMYC. The top 3 box designs that worked the best was Iris (30dB), Teodor (22dB) and Margo with 18dB. Nikolay must get a special mention for his design that had a dampening effect of 40dB, but unfortunately, it was outside of the design dimensions so was disqualified.

Also this week in Design the students were tasked to start designing a costume for one of the celebrations we have been researching. The students are also reminded to take responsibility to complete their x-stitch designs if they have not done so already.

We also started looking at light and some properties of light by creating pin-hole cameras and doing some investigations using them.

In Math we looked at the probability of multiple events happening, by looking at the “and” and “or” rule and creating probability trees.

In English we examined instructional writing, looking at what makes instructions effective as well as the features of instructional writing. We also started a new unit that will keep us busy for the next couple of weeks on persuasive writing, exploring different opinions and voicing our opinions effectively for different audiences.

For the next few weeks during the PSHE lessons, we will split the class up into girls and boys and will be discussing puberty and the changes that this holds in store. We will also revisit this topic later in the term during science when we will look at the biology behind these changes and why it happens. If you have any concerns or need more information about what we will be discussing please feel free to contact me so we can discuss this.

That is all for this week, I hope everyone has a relaxing weekend.

It was really nice to have the opportunity to meet all the student’s parents last week and discuss each student’s progress.

In Math, we looked at scale and scale factors. We used our skills to work out the real-life lengths from scale drawings and vice versa. We also learned how to work out the scale factor using scaled drawings, and convert and simplify ratios with different units. On Friday we put all our skills together to draw scaled drawings of real-life objects around the school and calculate the scale factor of these.

In English, we continued with our unit in non-fictional writing looking at diaries and blogs and how they differ and are similar. We also looked at the characteristics of advice columns and wrote some advice for our fellow students.

During Science, students did experiments to see how sound is conducted through different mediums and how different mediums conduct sound differently. Students were also set the challenge to create a soundproof container using recycled materials that is no bigger than a tissue box, to muffle the sound of a ringing cell phone. We look forward to testing these designs and reporting on the findings. We also started looking at the structures of the eye and their functions as well as a little bit more on how light functions.

For History the students had to identify different categories of celebrations and create a celebration of a new key event in history, researching why this day should be celebrated and how they would like to celebrate this day.

For Design, students continued to work on their x-stitch designs. This was their last opportunity to work on the designs in class and now they will have to continue at home.

In ICT the students started planning and putting together their video celebrating the International Red Cross Society (IRCS).

That is all for week 4.

First of all, I would like to wish everyone a very happy Lunar New and hope that you have a wonderful time together as a family.

An important date to remember is the firsts Thursday back at school (10 February) is the Parent conference where we can discuss your child progress if you so wish. There will be a form going out in the school newsletter where you can select times to come and see me, from 16:00 to 18:00. If this time is not suitable for you please send me an email so we can arrange a time that would be suitable for us to meet. I would also like to ask that if you feel that you do not want to have a meeting you would indicate this by sending me an email.

(Email address: andredeklerk@hyundaiforeignschool.com)

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you as parents for the support you give your children in their educational journey.

This week in Math we looked at scatter graphs and the different relationships that can exist between different data sets. We also learnt how to choose appropriate scales when drawing scatter graphs and how to use scatter graphs to estimate values.

In English we continue to look at formal writing in different contexts especially Advertising and Travel and lifestyle writing. We looked at different language types used in advertising aimed at specific target audiences. In Travel and Lifestyle, we looked at the difference between, subjective and objective writing as well as the difference between entertaining and informative writing.

In IMYC for Science we continued learning more about the ear, sound and how sound moves from the source to our ears. We also discussed why we cannot hear in space and explained how different musical instruments produce their sounds. During Design the students started their x-stitch projects to different levels of success and frustration, but everyone seems to have got the basics mastered now and is steadily progressing on their masterpieces.

In History we looked at the different celebrations we researched and how we can categorize these holidays into groups depending on what is celebrated. During ICT we used video editing software to insert a speaker into a scene of a different background using green screen technology. In PE the students learnt some basic steps of an Irish step dance reel.

That is all for this week, enjoy your break.

During week 2 in Math we looked at the unit shapes but more specifically triangles and the use of the theorem of Pythagoras to calculate a missing side in a triangle. We also used this theorem to solve word problems that incorporate real-life problems.

In English, we continued in our unit of formal writing with looking at Letters, proofreading and editing, opinions and reviews.

During IMYC in Science we looked at our different senses and how they can be influenced by adding or removing stimulation of other senses. We then focused particularly on the ear and its structures and the functions of these structures. We also undertook an investigation as to the loudness of sounds in our area, which we will use to investigate sound loudness and hearing damage.

In History we researched different celebrations from around the world, looking at why and how these celebrations are being held. We will use this research to look at different categories of special celebratory days and how they compare around the world.

For the PE component, we listened to music and identified the country of origin and what mood and movements students would associate with this particular music. The students then looked at Irish step dancing as an example of a celebratory dance and analyzed the movements associated with this dance.

These are just dome of the highlights of what happened this week.

I would like to welcome all the students back after the winter break.

I would also like to welcome the newest member of our class to HFS, Julia has joined us from Brasil and I hope she will be very happy in our class.

Term 2 is already in full swing with our IMYC unit this term being Celebration. We will be looking at different aspects of celebrations from around the world in the context of Science, History, Design, Technology and Innovation, ICT and computing and Physical Education. So far we have looked in Science at how light and sound play important roles in celebrations, in History we looked at what history is and what we can use to find out more about the history of a certain time, place or person. For Physical Education we looked at the role of movement and especially dance in celebrations and for Design the students had to create a mood board for a specific celebration to help them focus when we move forward in the design process.

For Math, we looked at numbers and operations with numbers especially multiplication and division of fractions. This week in English we started on a unit focusing on non-fictional writing in both traditional and modern forms.

That is all for this week, enjoy your weekend and I am looking forward to seeing everyone back again on Monday.