STMARKS NEWSLETTER 4 (01 SEPTEMBER 2023)
PRE-PREP MANDARIN
In our pre-prep Mandarin class, something exciting is happening! Our pre-prep students are starting their journey into Chinese writing, and it all begins with strokes. What are strokes, you ask? They're the lines that make up Chinese characters!
Strokes are like the building blocks of characters. By mastering different strokes, our students understand characters better. This helps them become better writers and also boosts their creativity and motor skills. Starting with strokes is like learning the ABCs before forming words.
Students are using projectors to see big and colorful characters, which they trace with excitement. It's like drawing while learning! They're using pens to mimic strokes and having a blast doing it.
YEAR 1 P.E.: SOCCER
In our Year 1 Physical Education class, students have been enjoying their time learning and playing soccer.
Our Year 1 students have been having a blast on the field during their PE sessions. With the guidance of our PE teacher, they've been getting to know the game of soccer – how to dribble, pass the ball, and work as a team.
Learning is all about fun, and that's exactly what our students are doing. Through games and activities, they're practicing their balance, coordination, and how to handle the soccer ball.
Soccer is not just about individual skills; it's about teamwork too. Our Year 1 students have been learning to pass the ball to each other and work together to score goals. The cheers and excitement on the field show how much they enjoy working as a team.
Our Year 1 students understand the value of sportsmanship, playing fair, and never giving up.
YEAR 5 MATHS: PEMDAS RULE
Our Year 5 students have been learning about mathematical operations using the PEMDAS rule.
PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right). It's a way to solve math problems step by step.
Under the guidance of our Year 5 mathematics teacher, the students eagerly embraced the challenge of understanding and applying the PEMDAS rule. Mr. Dylan explained each step of the process in a clear and engaging manner. He used relatable examples to explain the importance of solving math problems in the correct order for accurate results.
Students had the opportunity to solve problems on the board, taking turns to demonstrate their understanding of PEMDAS. This interactive approach allowed them to learn from both their teacher and their classmates, fostering a collaborative environment.
YEAR 8 BIOLOGY: CELLS
Our Year 8 Biology students recently had their first-ever laboratory session for this semester, and it's all about the microscopic organisms through onion and cheek cells.
Their lab class kicked off with a microscope tutorial, covering everything from eyepieces to focus knobs. Students delved into preparing slides and they sliced thin onion sections and gently collected cheek cell samples, later mounting them onto slides with precision.
A highlight was the emphasis on precise biological drawings. Students learned the step-by-step process, from initial sketches capturing shapes and sizes to final drawings with added details like nuclei and cell walls. This artistic approach ensured their renderings mirrored the actual cells.
YEAR 7-10 MUSIC/VOICE
In Years 7-10 music class, our students have been learning about two fascinating voice types: sopranos and altos. Sopranos are the voices that hit the high notes with a sparkly brilliance, while altos bring a warm and deep touch to the melodies. It's been wonderful to see our students embracing these different vocal textures.
As part of their musical activity, they've been practicing "A Million Dreams" from the movie *The Greatest Showman*. This song is all about dreaming big and believing in possibilities. Our students have been practicing it together, learning the lyrics, melodies, and harmonizing as a group.
Their classroom has been filled with the sound of voices coming together in harmony. Sopranos have taken the lead with their high and bright notes, while altos have provided a soothing foundation with their heartfelt tones. It's truly a collaborative effort where each voice contributes to creating a beautiful musical picture.