Highlights from our Tubman IB PYP and MYP Classrooms

Quarter 2 Newsletter: December 22, 2022

IB PYP students in 1st grade spent the past several weeks studying the concepts of tradition and history highlighted through the sharing of special family objects, the building of a personal timeline, and history through the creation of

 an artifact from the past. 

After learning about different aspects of life in the past including schools, clothes, transportation, food, games, and toys, students were tasked to share their learning by selecting and creating an object or artifact from long ago. To conclude our unit, the students planned, created, and researched artifacts from the past and displayed them in our “Long Ago Museum.” Students also took on the role of museum curators by sharing their objects and findings with their PYP peers who visited their museum exhibits. 

Their artifacts are now on display for all to 

see and appreciate on the second floor! 

Every December 10, people around the world celebrate Human Rights Day. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly‘s adoption on December 10, 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global statement of international human rights principles. 

The UDHR sets out a range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all of us are entitled. It guarantees the rights of every individual everywhere, without distinction based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.

On Friday, December 9th, Bulldog Buddies came together to learn more about Human Rights Day and made wishes for the world together. Wished included food, shelter, family, and education for everyone, as well as no more war or poverty. You can see the full display on the first floor!

What is the IB policy on assessment? How are students graded in an IB world school? How are students given feedback on their learning? Our Tubman IB Assessment Policy provides information to families, students, and staff on how we approach the assessment process, including testing, report cards, and the feedback process for students. Our assessment policy helps families navigate the types of assessments their children will participate in and understand the philosophy behind why we include students in the process. You can view the policy here.

MYP students in Year 2 (7th) and Year 3 (8th) are engaging in a series of investigations to learn about the steps of the Scientific Method. Our Statement of Inquiry is: Scientists use methods to gather evidence about the relationship between interacting variables. Students will wrap up this unit with an at home Science Fair Project. Student will plan the experiment in class and then conduct their experiments at home, then create a display board to share their projects at our Middle School Science Fair. The Middle School Science Fair will be on Wednesday, February 1 from 10:15-11:15 a.m. More information to come.

At Tubman, we use Student of the Month as a springboard to discuss the IB Learner Profile Attributes and to help students identify, as well as reflect upon what it means to be a learner in an IB World School. Through books, activities, games, and discussions, student begin to internalize the 10 attributes of the IB Learner: Thinker, Risk-Taker, Inquirer, Caring, Communicator, Knowledgeable, Principled, Reflective, Open-Minded, and Balanced. One student from each classroom is selected by their classmates every month based on the IB Learner Profile Attribute. Below are the students recognized for the first part of the school year.

Beginning in January 2023, Tubman's 8th grade students will be participating in the Logan Center for the Arts Young Critics Program in conjunction with the University of Chicago. The Critics Program focuses on providing a platform for students to critically examine performances presented at part of their school matinee season and to craft valuable and engaging written responses.  

The program pairs teaching artists with teachers and their classes. Our students will create blog posts that reflect the unique perspective of each student, allowing them to express their reaction to a multicultural arts performance. This is a unique experience designed to support students in learning more about the dispositions, knowledge, and skills involved in critiquing artistic performance.

Our students will be traveling to The Logan Center in Hyde Park on January 19th to experience the following performance:

Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance- A dynamic and vibrant performance honoring the heritage of the tradition of La Danza De Los Concheros (The Dance of the Concheros). Students will learn about the Aztec world of Indigenous ceremony and ritual. We're thrilled for our students and look forward to sharing out their learning in the future.