In this video, we share the boat and buoyancy project from our Grade 2 classes. They could ONLY use cardboard and tape to make a boat from scratch and test it in water. Did they make it without sinking? Let’s find out!

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Video by Louis Lu

We have all the new technology you can think of in our IDEA LAB, but maker space is more than that. Students are also using recyclable materials and real world problems. They are required to use this space and the tools in it to solve the problems given to them.

At CIS it’s really important that we start the design process and the STEAM initiative all the way to our little two, three, four and five year olds. No child is too young to start learning the basics of coding which is computer language.

By instilling the design process with our littles, it’s already starting to build confident little learners. So by the time they hit grades one, two and three and so on, they are so confident with the design process, that it just becomes a second language with them.

Click to watch the video

Video by Louis Lu

So at CIS, no one is too little to start the design process or STEAM learning. It’s embedded in what we do every day.

Check out the design process in action in our Grade 7 Science Class with the Hurricane House! A great example of how students use STEAM Learning integrated with the Alberta Curriculum.

Click to watch video

Video by Louis Lu

The CIS IdeaLab is our space for students to explore, invent, tinker, design and make wonderful discoveries using a wide variety of materials and tools. We encourage our students to develop a Maker Mindset by learning though observation and inquiry, develop curiosity, imagination and creativity. Responding to the world around them with wonder and awe and to recognize and solve problems around them through active exploration.

Thank you to Ms. Bush and the Grade 7 class for showing us how they used the design process for this project!

What comes to mind when you hear the words Idea Lab or Maker Space?

A place to build some Lego?

Somewhere full of advanced tech kits?

Where brainstorming can happen at anytime?

These are all perfect examples! Our CIS IdeaLab also has lots more that you haven’t seen yet!

Click to watch video, check out our amazing IDEA LAB!

Video by Louis Lu

The CIS IdeaLab is our space for students to explore, invent, tinker, design and make wonderful discoveries using a wide variety of materials and tools. We encourage our students to develop a Maker Mindset by learning though observation and inquiry, develop curiosity, imagination and creativity. Responding to the world around them with wonder and awe and to recognize and solve problems around them through active exploration.

We are very fortunate to have our Maker Space to create 3D models, to learn multiplication with Dash & Dot, create beautiful art pieces with Sphero, and many other great projects using the IdeaLab!

In Social Studies this year, students have been studying the culture and traditions of four different countries – Ukraine, Tunisia, Peru and India. In Grade 3’s study of Ukraine students learned the history behind making of Ukrainian pysanka. Pysanka are hand-drawn eggs made with wax and layered coloured dyes. Students learned the steps to create these colourful decorated eggs and enriched their knowledge about the meanings behind symbols and colours chosen.

Students made their design plans, and then it was time to begin their egg decorating! First, students traced their design on to their egg with pencil. Then students used a traditional Ukrainian tool, the kistka to draw with wax over their designs.

The different colours on the eggs are achieved by layering the different coloured dyes with the wax. Students had so much fun, and it was awesome to see their curiosity and creativity with this traditional art of Ukraine.

On May 10th, our Grade 1 students hosted a Celebration of Learning in our auditorium. Students brought 3D posters and books to present their recent projects and learning outcomes to their parents.

Over the last month, the Grade 1’s have been working on animal projects…and they loved it! They each chose an animal they were interested in learning more about. Then, students read books to find  more information on : what the animals look like(appearance), where they live (habitat), what they eat(diet), and how they live(reproduction). After researching them, they made small models of their animal with materials they chose themselves, and then created 3D posters with all the new things they had learned. The model and the 3D posters were then presented to teachers, classmates and parents!

Some students chose animals they are familiar with, such as frogs, cats, dogs and butterflies.  While others chose to research animals they have never seen, such as kangaroos, lizards and zebras. The CIS project-based learning process allows students to learn new vocabulary about animals, practice English expression, gain scientific knowledge, and exercise their practical and research abilities. In addition to introducing their own projects, they also shared the projects of their classmates to parents.

The math learning demonstration is more intuitive. Our Grade 1 teachers prepared an addition and subtraction exercise board for each student to complete on site. In the CIS Grade 1 math curriculum, students not only learn how to calculate, but also to understand the meaning and be able to use different ways to solve one problem, and help their partners.

Apart from science and math, our students also showed parents their hand-crafted butterflies.  It was a busy and informative afternoon about learning!

Thank you Grade 1 teachers for putting together this amazing showcase. Special thanks goes out to our art teacher Mr. Lee for inspiring us to showcase these projects in an artistic way. We look forward to more celebrations to come!

Tipi’s, longhouses and igloos oh my! The Grade 5 students were tasked with creating a showcase which demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of the different traditional and historical homes of the Aboriginal people of Canada. Each group designed, researched and created a display in order to educate the staff, student and parents of CIS.

Part of Alberta Educations plan of inclusivity, students are tasked with exploring and understanding vast cultures, people and stories that make up the texture and fabric of the world we live. Some of these stories and people include the First Nations, Metis and Inuit perspectives. Students had free choice when it came to the shelters they would research and build.

Many constructed their shelters from household or homemade items, but others also included the use of media and technology. Each group crafted, constructed and created magnificent and visually captivating shelters that not only include the outside, but also what the shelters would look like inside. In order to captivate audiences and be prepared for the barrage of staff and students, the Grade 5’s ensured they were well prepared, through research, stories, pictures and signage.

Project based learning is a key fundamental being utilized during the Grade 5 programming. This allows student interest, sparks creativity, ingenuity and a passion for learning. From the smiling faces, joy of interaction and the passion demonstrated from all those involved, the Grade 5’s displays were a complete success.

Mandarin is a required course in our curriculum here at CIS. It not only offers students a chance to learn the language, but also allows our students to understand Chinese history and cultural identity.

Our goal is to cultivate global citizens with a deep understanding of Chinese culture.

Teaching Hours

Curriculum

Starting in Grade 1, Mandarin classes are divided into native speakers and non-native speakers, with adjusted curriculum and learning objectives to suit the student’s needs.

Learning objectives for native speakers are:
● Develop communication skills
● Foster practical ability
● Interdisciplinary study
● Recognize Chinese culture and customs
● Compare Chinese and Western cultural characteristics

Learning objectives for non-native speakers are:
● Practice students’ daily expression and literacy
● Advanced programs students begin to learn cultural
● Encouragement to take HSK and YCT examinations every year

Reading Class

Reading is essential in language learning. In our Mandarin class there is required read-ing every week. Students are assigned different texts and can select their own book to read and then write reading notes afterwards.

Chinese Culture Events

One of the best ways to learn a language is through music and songs. In our annual Chinese New Year Celebration, students get to use what they have learned and dedicate themselves to wonderful performances using Chinese songs, poetry recitation, dragon and lion dance etc.

On April 26th, our Junior High School students held a Celebration of Learning for the first time this semester! It was exciting to see and hear about the progress they are making across all current subjects. Let’s take a look at what they were presenting:

Math

In math the students showed their parents their work in all of their current units: circle geometry, volume, and scale & similarity.
• The grade 7 students explained to their parents the parts of a circle and how to use radius and diameter to solve the area and circumference of a circle.
• The grade 8 students showed their parents how to calculate the volume of 3-D objects in the Learning Commons.
• The grade 9 students displayed their knowledge of how they can draw and interpret unique scale diagrams.

Social Studies

For social studies, the students showed off projects they have been working on over the school year.
• The Grade 7s explained how events from 1755-1774 led to the establishment of Canada as a nation.
• The Grade 8s described various gods of the Aztec Civilization.
• The Grade 9s showed how the three branches of the Canadian federal government work together to create laws.

English Language Arts

The Grade 7’s displayed their poetry projects which encompassed a notebook filled with a collection of their own poetry.

The Grade 8 students studied poetry through the movie ‘La La Land’ by brainstorming and coming up with their own interpretation of songs in the movie. Some students presented their essays in front of their peers in the Learning Commons as well.

Grade 9’s showed how they read and responded to novels with an independent Novel Study. After reading their chosen novel, they shared it with the class in presentations, journals and projects.

The CIS Celebration of Learning provide parents, staff and students of all ages a good chance to share their diverse learning experience and knowledge. We look forward to Celebration of Learning in May!