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Standing Tall, Standing Together!

2/25/2018

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Congrats to our PYP 3-5 Ambassadors
who came to school Ready to Learn by being Balanced!


Names (nominated by)

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Maggie Larkin (Webb)
Casey Higgins (McCarthy)
Liam Burg (Wells)
Marilia Tsirikos-Karaparios (McCafferty)
Naijal Hawkins (Outrich)
Johanna Zheng (Grzelak)
Ivy McLennan (Bubbett)
Aum Tyler (Hawley)
Alta Taseff (Hawley)
Sam Uva (Kirby)
D’Nyla Collier (Guardado)
Miracle Smith (Nasca)
Kendall Fluker (Glickman)
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Congrats to these 3-5th graders for being caught showing, "Random Acts of IB Attitudes!"
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Mrs. Hawley's 4th graders shared their Black History posters. 

They stood proud while they read their posters and explained why Black History Month is important.

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Cleveland School of the Arts presented, Black History Makers: I Dream of Cleveland 

Our students enjoyed hearing about all of the famous Black Americans who came from the very same neighborhoods as many of them.

​CSA's performance was very inspiring!
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Revisiting books that remind us of what it means to be an IB student...what it means to CARE, to be KIND, to take ACTION and to make this a PEACEFUL world for ALL.
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On February 21st at 2:05pm, 7th and 8th graders participated in a walk-out organized by a MYP student. They paraded outside and stood in complete silence for 17 minutes. 
Dear Campus International School Family,

In light of last week’s tragedy in Parkland, Florida, I want to share some information and resources with you.
In addition to our safety preparedness, our school also places a great emphasis on social emotional supports for students. Our dedicated team of teachers, social workers (
https://www.beechbrook.org/), and school psychologist are here to support our students who may be experiencing social emotional health issues. 

In PYP, we create safe spaces to learn through our school wide practice of Morning Meetings using the Responsive Teaching Model. The four parts of this model are:
  • Greeting: Students and teachers greet and welcome each other.
  • Sharing: Students share something about themselves or their lives, and the rest of their peers listen, then ask follow-up questions or offer comments.
  • Activity: The group completes an activity that encourages teamwork while re-emphasizing social or academic skills.
  • Morning message: Students read a short message from their teacher, usually describing what is to come in the day ahead.
We also incorporate our Learner Profile Attributes and Attitudes into all of our units of inquiry and throughout our day. Since the tragic events of last week, we have been revisiting books that help us understand our part in noticing people/things that seem out of the ordinary (how to stand up or tell someone you trust), emphasizing feelings, empathy, and what it means to be human.

In MYP, students have discussed Current Events through CNN News, articles, and advisory time. Students have had time to talk in classes about how these events have impacted them and to share their feelings.  Staff members have been supportive while using  this time as teachable moments on how to peacefully protest and work together for positive change.

Below you will find a number of resources and professional advice for talking with your children about violence and tragedy. 


Resources:

SaferSchools Ohio

This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety—whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.

To access the SaferSchools Ohio tip line, call or text 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764). 

​Talking to Children About Violence - Tips for Parents and Teachers
The National Association of School Psychologists put together a helpful and comprehensive guide to talking to children about violence. Click here to read the guide.


“Resiliency After Violence,” The Harvard Graduate School of Education

The American School Counselor Association on helping kids after a shooting


The Coalition to Support Grieving Students, with research-backed resources

​Useful two-page guidance from the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement



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​Appreciation

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Thank you to Adrien's parents for coming in to share their Venezuelan heritage with Mrs. Hill's second graders. 
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Thank you to second graders Julia and Juliette for sharing a beautiful duet during open mic in the Balanced Cafe.

​I hope everyone had a lovely weekend finding their balance! This week will be full of fun with,
​ Dr. Suess, I love to read week!
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Exploring Big Questions

2/18/2018

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What does it mean to be Balanced?

"We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live."
~ibo.org
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Congrats to our PYP K-2 Ambassadors who came to school Ready to Learn by being Balanced!

Names (nominated by)


Alma Alyamani (Dottore)
Mary Ryzner (Snyder)
Abdullah Alkassar (Hubeny)
A’Mare Morris (Fergie)
Brielle Jackson (Mori)
Mary Burg (Meaker)
Ginger McLennan (Fairman)
J’Marri Williams (Wightman)
Johnnason Sturdivant (Hill)
Owen Andrikanich (Chambers)
Steven Chandler (Morris)
​ Chloe Ng (Humphrey)

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Big Question within our Units of Inquiry


Kindergarten

Where We are in Place and Time

Central Idea: There are many ways to learn about the world

Questions:

What is a map?
How can we find out about different homes?
What can stories teach us?


Grade 1

Where We are in Place and Time

Central Idea: Families and Places Change Over Time

Questions:

How do maps help us?
How do people change?
What changes in your life have impacted you?
What are landforms?
How do landforms affect the way you live?

Grade 2

Where We are in Place and Time

Central Idea: Geography and Culture Shape Communities

Questions:

How does where you live influence how you live and work?
What are natural resources?
How do natural resources affect the way we live?

How do cultures develop? 

Grade 3

Sharing the Planet

Central Idea: Biodiversity Affects the Survival of Organisms

Questions:

What is biodiversity?
What are adaptations and why are they necessary?
How are people, plants, and animals interdependent?

Grade 4

How We Organize Ourselves

Central Idea: Ideas, Location, and Action Influence Infrastructure

Questions:

How do cities allow people to move?
How do you get a large group of people to make a decision?
How does the physical environment relate to an areas economy?

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Grade 5

Sharing the Planet

Central Idea: Relationships happen interdependently within systems

Questions:

What are the relationships among organisms in an ecosystem?
Why do we have four seasons?
What would happen if the earth had no tilt?
Can we live without bees?

Presidential Questions 
(from our students)

Why does a country need a President?
Why do we have a President instead of a King?
Why can't there be two Presidents?



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Cleveland's Black History Questions

How has Cleveland helped shape the lives of African Americans?
How has the Karamu House contributed to Black History?
How was Cleveland's changing racial distribution influenced by the Great Migration?

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​Meeting Author,  Angie Thomas
Book: The Hate U Give

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Valentine's Day "Caring Day" Questions

Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?
Why don't people care more?
Why do people hurt others?
Is love really blind?
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Inquiry, Research, Text Evidence, and so much more!

2/11/2018

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This week I was able to spend a lot of time in classrooms observing and supporting. Following a week of data meetings, we adjusted schedules to support new reading and math interventions, writing across the curriculum, critical thinking skills through research, and using texting evidence in reading. From kindergarten to grade 8, students were engaged and enjoying learning!
What is the future of learning?

​SOLE (Self-Organized Learning Environment)

Sole helps students develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, research, and communication skills.





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Khan Academy for math support
Moby Max for reading/math support
What Is Writing Across the Curriculum?
Teachers across disciplines (subject areas), use writing-to-learn and writing-to-demonstrate knowledge strategies to deepen the learning of students in all content areas.

Writing promotes learning
• Integration of writing and the writing process promotes student participation, a diversity of      student voices, and engage students as critical thinkers while promoting their texts as important resources and thinking tools
• Effective writing instruction integrates disciplines
• Opportunities to write in every class develops good writers
• Only by practicing the thinking and writing conventions of an academic discipline will students begin to communicate effectively within that discipline. 

Ways we support writing, no matter what subject we're teaching:

  1. Journal Writing: Informal writing that provides a safe place for students to summarize their thoughts while building confidence.
  2. Think-Pair-Share: After a lecture or presentation, students are invited to record their thoughts. Then they are paired up with another student to discuss the topic. Finally, the discussion is opened up to the whole class. Discussions are richer when students have an opportunity to organize their thinking and gain perspective from others prior to discussing with the whole group. (also builds on confidence)
  3. Quick-Writes: Quick-writes are great ways to get students to practice writing and critical thinking skills. They’re designed to focus the student’s thinking. Timers are set for 10 minutes and students are given a writing prompt, picture, quote, or a question...anything to get them thinking and writing.
  4. Self-Assessments: Throughout the year students are invited to self-assess their learning (reflect) within their units of inquiry and character development (The Learner Profile). Ask them what the most difficult part of the class has been or what they’ve loved learning. Not only will they get practice writing, you’ll get valuable insight into how your child is learning and what you can do to help them even more!
  5. Real World Writing: Mathematicians write theorems and textbook problems. Scientists write lab reports. Journalists in all fields write articles, writers write books, journal articles, parents write notes, lists, etc. This type of writing shows students the relevancy of writing skills and how it is applied in daily life.
  6. Note Taking: We begin working on this in  kindergarten with our pictures and labels of what we learned from listening to the teacher. By grade 1, students are practicing this with their research skills using SOLE and independent research. The toughest part is helping them "put it in their own words" paraphrasing. 
  7. Research Projects: The Common Core Standards and IB require all students to be able to research a topic in any discipline and write about it. The goal is for all students to become self-directed learners that are adept at researching, writing, and presenting a wide variety of subjects. 


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Congrats to our MYP Ambassadors who came to school Ready to Learn by being Balanced!
 
Names (nominated by)
Vivian Cox
(Dudik)
 Claire Brazalovics (Arens)
Isabel Wood (Taylor)
Amiyah Hart (Perry)
Catherine Mullin-Vanneste (Thomas)
Victor Boyd (Weber)
Nalmah Ali (Orbash)
Carli Jordan (Kane)
Terri Jackson (Mishaga)



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Kindergarten
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Opinion Writing
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"How to" writing
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Inquiry

​Where We are in Place and Time
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Grade 1
Researching with SOLE 
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Grade 2
Researching Famous Black Americans
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Grade 3
Researching using SOLE on Economic Choices
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Using paired texts to cite evidence in opinion writing
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Reading about local and global news in the Plain Dealer Newspaper and making connections with our current unit of inquiry
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Grade 4
Researching and using evidence to support writing

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​Black History Research
Inquiry into Electricity



Grade 5
Exploring African American History and Culture website to prepare for Black History Research papers
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Reading nonfiction texts and learning how to highlight, take notes, summarize, and write an essay using multiple sources.
MYP
Creativity~Activity~Service
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Literature Circles
A Long Walk to Water
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Enjoying our guests this week!
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MARI BLACK TRIO 

Featuring: Mari Black, violin; Conor Hearn, guitar; Joe Magar, bass

Mari Black (click to learn more)
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Doug Wood
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Classically-Infused Folk, Rock, Jazz instrumental guitar

Doug Wood (click to learn more)
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Chef Eric Wells

Skye LaRae's Culinary Services (click to learn more)
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Kent State University
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​Education students studying to become IB teachers visited CIS to see the IB curriculum in action.

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Guest Reader

Grade 1 
​
​"Reese's Dad"





​Celebrating Friendship on No One Eats Alone Day 
and
 Red, White, and Blue Day for the Opening of the
​ Winter Olympic Games
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​When asked by a visitor from Kent State,  "What do you like the most about the IB curriculum and Campus International?" 4th grader Yazmeen replied,
"Everybody fits in...no one is left out."


Keep choosing kindness, CIS!
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Enjoying Winter with Engaging Experiences

2/3/2018

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We ended January in a big way! So much student action, fun learning experiences, and commitment from our students and staff. With a few challenges due to weather, everyone did their best to remain positive and flexible with changes that occurred. Although we are ALL ready for warmer days, we are making the most of the cold, winter days...with a smile on our face!
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Congrats to our PYP 3-5 Ambassadors who came to school Ready to Learn by being Communicators!
 
Names (nominated by)
Iyanna Massey (Webb)
Zoe Flynn (Wells)
 Kaylani Cika (McCafferty)
Logan Greer (McCarthy)
Orion McGuiness-Silvertien (Bubbett)
Jane Gyorki (Hawley)
Ariyan Johnson (Grzelak)
Layali Baddour (Outrich)
Kali Boyd (Glickman)
Cam’Ron Benson (Kirby)
Logan Wolf (Nasca)
Chris DeLeon (Guardado)
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Congrats to our MYP Ambassadors who came to school Ready to Learn by being Communicators!
 
Names (nominated by)
Nora Van Lier (Dudik)
 Amiyah Hart (Arens)
Ahmad Bates (Taylor)
Audrianna Atkinson (Perry)
Lania Baker (Thomas)
Michael Wachter (Weber)
Shane Maxey (Orbash)
Danielle Thompson (Kane)
Carli Jordan (Mishaga)

 
Celebrating with smoothies on the stage!
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Celebrating student action during our All School Morning Meeting
Helping animals in need
Investing in our Great Lakes
Bringing awareness to homelessness among kids
Collecting movie tickets for teens living in shelters
Congrats, Xavier for your contribution to the CIS High School Debate Team!
A few of our 8th graders shared their Service Projects. 



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Kindergarten
Where We are in Place and Time

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Mrs. Snyder's kindergartners are learning about the city through the adventures of their friend, Felix!
Kindergartners exploring math shapes in Mrs. Hubeny's class
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Happy 100th Day of School!!
Fun learning stations in Miss Dottore's kindergarten class
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Grade 1
Where We are in Place and Time

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Grade 2 
100th Day of School Scavenger Hunt in Mrs. Humphrey's class
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Grade 3
How We Organize Ourselves
Central Idea: Economic choices and decisions play a role in the market place.

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Grade 4
How We Organize Ourselves
Central Idea: Ideas, location, and action influence infrastructure

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4th graders in Mrs. Grzelak's room use the thinking routine, See, Think, Wonder with this image to unpack new unit of inquiry.
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4th graders in Ms. Outrich's class unpacked the central idea with a provocation. The blue tape (classroom streets) got students thinking about infrastructure and the importance of effective decision making. 
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Number Talks and SOLE in Mr. Bubbett's 4th grade class
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4th grade students from Mrs. Hawley's and Mrs. Grzelak's class won prizes in the 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest. Alta Taseff won second place in the fourth to sixth grade division. Her prize was $75. Michaela Arrington won $25 for third place. 
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Grade 5
Sharing the Planet
Central Idea: Relationships happen interdependently within systems

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5th graders getting ready for Exhibition
Ms. Glickman's 5th graders share their recent Action
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Dancing Classrooms
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Congrats to our 5th grade students who placed gold in Semi-Finals for the Dancing Classrooms competition at Tri-C. They now move on to the Grand Finals at the Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square on Sunday, May 20th @4:00pm.
 
 
Thank you to our 5th grade students and teachers for your commitment and enthusiasm. We are so proud of you!
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5th graders from Mrs. Guardado's class taking action to clean paint they noticed on the floor in the hallway.
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5th grader, Nick celebrating his commitment to finishing his project on Symbiosis
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Starting Wednesday in a fun way in Mrs. Simone's class

What would you do?
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Grade 6
Math with Mrs. Taylor
"Minds On" and Number Talks

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Grade 6
Individuals and Society with Mr. Dudik
​SOLE

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Grade 6
Science and Design with Mrs. Arens
Grade 6 
Field trip to Western Reserve Historical Society

Unit: Economic Decision Making Skills
Statement of Inquiry: Consumption choices change based on economic practices.
Program: The Global Marketplace
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Grade 7 & 8
Language and Literature with Miss Thomas

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Mr. Levy's trip to New York to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra chorus. They performed Hadyn's "Seasons" which is a 2 1/2 hour oratorio that describes musically the change of seasons from end of winter, to spring to summer to fall to the extremely long winter. Mr. Levy has been singing in the chorus for 17 years. 
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Carnegie Hall
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2nd grader, Rose Kvidera joined her dad on the tour, as he too is a member of the chorus. Rose and her family took in the sites of the city while there.
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A wonderful quote left on my desk by third grader, Carly.
Keep laughing and loving, Campus International!
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    Author:
    ​Dora Bechtel

    Welcome to my Campus International School blog.  Campus International is an International Baccalaureate School on the campus of Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio.  

    As Instructional Leader at CIS, I am able to enjoy the learning  taking place in all classrooms K-8. This blog will give you a glimpse into our wonderful world of learning through inquiry, and share some strategies you can use with your child/students.

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    May 25th Newsletter
    YMCA Summer camp

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