Exhibition

I am teaching in grade 6 this year, which is the final year of the Primary Years Program (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). In the final year of the PYP, students are required to take part in what is called Exhibition. It is the final unit of study in which students take leadership of their learning. The theme was ‘Sharing The Planet’, and the central idea that we teachers developed was ‘Actions and decisions have consequences that effect individuals, society and the environment.’

From there, the students came up with topics such as education, poverty, and pollution, and created their own central ideas, lines of inquiry, key concepts, and focus questions. Basically, they created their own unit of inquiry. They then spent about 3-4 weeks doing research, going on field trips, and interviewing people. Throughout the 6-week process they are also required to record the attitudes, skills, and profiles that they are using. This past week, 4 weeks into the Exhibition process, the students presented their learning in the Exhibition staging. The entire class learned a theme song in which they performed at the beginning of each session. Then, every student presented their findings in some way, such as videos, poetry or dancing. After the performances, students went to their individual booths where they had posters, lap tops, and displays set up to guide them in sharing a more in-depth description of their learning process. It was a complete success. I was so happy to see my kids explain their research findings with good understanding and excitement.

The next two weeks will be filled with the action plan and the final reflection. The action plan is basically their plan to take action after their research. Some students are raising money to aid local schools for street children. Some want to build a well. Others may write letters to people in government or teach young children proper hygiene. All of the action plans will take place in the Jakarta area, outside of school. The final reflection is basically a long document of questions that they have to answer after they have completed the Exhibition process. It is so exciting to see the students’ eyes opening to the problems and issues in the world around them. Many have plans to continue taking action even after the process officially ends.

What is exciting for me, is that even though the IBO is very humanistic in its teaching, as Christian educators, we are able to weave God’s plans and promises throughout the structure and expectations of the PYP, calling students to be active followers of Christ. God calls us to actively support those who are in need of food, water, education, work, and a clean environment. This is not an easy mission, but it is a challenge that calls us to look past ourselves and our own needs, and to the needs and issues in the world around us. This is the message we plant in the hearts of our students, hoping that they will rise to the challenge, and live impactful lives for God’s glory.

Sri Lanka- A Hidden Gem

It always amazes me how quickly I can go in and out of work mode. It is almost like there is a ‘work Michaela’ and a ‘vacation Michaela,’ the later apparently being more prone to one-liners and non-stop laughter. Boy, I love vacation mode! But, it is also great to get back to work and really cherish the last few months I have with my students.

I have decided to include highlights of my recent Spring/Easter vacation in Sri Lanka. I will say that Sri Lanka is a hidden Gem!! It is similar to India, but more developed, very clean, friendly people and tons to offer. I had a fabulous time there and I wish I had at least another week. I recommend it to anyone who is thinking of traveling in Asia!

• Watching 50 elephants of all sizes bathe in a river
• Learning about elephant poo paper and buying some
• Visiting Polonnaruwa, an ancient city and exploring the temples, baths, and other ruins there
• Climbing Lion Rock, a rock outcropping with ruins of an ancient palace and gardens, and fresco paintings. Amazing views and crazy climb up!
• Awesome food: curries, dhals, fish, eggplant…couldn’t get enough!
• Random animals: elephants, monitor lizards, turtles,
• Kandy: markets, cultural dancing and fire walking. Beautiful atmosphere in the mountains
• Steep mountain roads lined with tons of tea plantations
• Adams peak: 2am start for a sun-rise summit. The path was lit-up and there were tea shops every 50metres or so along the entire pathway. Seeing the mountains pyramid shaped shadow and ringing the bell as a part of successfully summiting was great. The descent was interesting because we were seeing everything for the first time in day-light.
• Tea factory visit and tea-tasting. Bought lots of fair-priced quality tea!
• Beautiful mountain town (forget name) with a lovely lake, horses all over and cute houses.
• Ella Gap: a beautiful valley leading us back toward the sea
• Yala National park. Didn’t see leopards, but thoroughly enjoyed our cozy hotel on a pristine lake.
• Mirissa: gorgeous, low-key beaches with turquoise water, palm trees and soft sand. Watched baby sea turtles being set free. Fire dancing and a full moon. Stilt fisher-men and us pretending to be the fisher men at sunset.
• Galle: Dutch fort, lovely colonial architecture and artwork!
• Colombo: Beautiful, clean and well-organized city. Bought last minute souvenirs and a huge painting. Set out to find Naan bread and confused the shop owner when we wanted it plain.
• Tea, biscuit and game time with the gang most nights.
• Perera, our driver from Lanka tours, was excellent and eventually figured out that we are just a bunch of crazy teachers!
• Many laughs with friends, 2 books finished, lots of time to sleep, a tan and I am re-charged to teach until the end!!