Principal’s Corner
by Mr. Benjamin Martin, Middle & High School Principal
Let’s Get Personal: The Benefits of the MYP Personal Project
The MYP personal project is the culminating project for MYP students in the final year of the MYP in Grade 10. As our Grade 10 students learn on the CIS Personal Project website, The Personal Project is a significant milestone in their journey as an IB learner. It serves as both the culmination of their MYP studies and as a stepping stone towards future academic work, and the DP core, including the extended essay.
The Personal Project is a unique opportunity for students to undertake an independent and age-appropriate exploration into an area of personal interest. Through the process of inquiry, action and reflection, students will be encouraged to demonstrate and strengthen their approaches to learning skills.
The personal nature of the project is important; the project allows students to explore an area that motivates and interests them. They will choose what they want to focus on (which can be an existing or a new interest), choose how to achieve their goal, and create their own success criteria for their product. The project provides an excellent opportunity for them to produce a truly personal and creative product and to demonstrate a consolidation of their learning in the MYP.
Next Thursday and Friday, our Grade 10 students will be presenting their finished products and we look forward to seeing how their passion, planning, and perseverance have paid off!
Upcoming events of note
- Apr 9: Public Holiday (Day of Valor)
- Apr 10: Public Holiday (Eid-al-Fitr)
- Apr 12: MYP Personal Project Exhibition
- Apr 18: DP TOK Exhibition
- Apr 24 – May 16: IBDP Exams
- May 1: Public Holiday (Labor Day)
- May 3: PYPx
- May 6-10: Arts Week
Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.
PYP Spanish
by Ms. Dina Melwani, PYP Spanish Teacher
“¡Noticias al Día!” “News up to date!”
📣 Breaking News: Students Dive into Spanish Class with a Twist!
CIS students have embarked on a fascinating journey into the world of Spanish language and culture, all while exploring the transdisciplinary unit on “Where We Are in Place and Time”.
🏠 The Topic: Houses
📚 Learning Objective: The young scholars are not just mastering basic Spanish vocabulary; they are immersing themselves in the topic of “houses” (or “casas” in Spanish) through interactive lessons.
🌎 Transdisciplinary Unit Integration: This unit seamlessly integrates the study of houses across time periods, enhancing students’ understanding of their place in the world.
🎨 Hands-On Exploration: From building miniature models of houses to learning about unique architectural styles from around the globe, students are actively engaged in hands-on activities that bring their learning to life.
📝 Assessment and Reflection: Through journal entries, drawings, and interactive presentations, students are not only demonstrating their language skills but also reflecting on the cultural significance of houses in different societies.
📣 Newsflash: Students Dive into Animal Studies with Spanish Integration!
🏠 Students have embarked on a captivating journey through the animal kingdom, all while sharpening their Spanish language skills. As part of their curriculum, students are delving into the fascinating world of animals, exploring their habitats, behaviors, and characteristics.
🌎 What makes this learning adventure even more remarkable is its integration with the transdisciplinary unit on “Sharing the Planet.” Through this interdisciplinary approach, students are not only expanding their knowledge of animals but also gaining a deeper understanding of their role in preserving our planet’s biodiversity.
🦁 Students are engaging in interactive lessons that blend language acquisition with scientific exploration. From learning animal names and descriptions in Spanish to studying ecosystems and conservation efforts, the curriculum seamlessly weaves together language learning and environmental awareness.
Through hands-on activities, group discussions, and multimedia resources, students are actively participating in their learning journey, fostering curiosity and empathy towards the natural world. By incorporating the transdisciplinary unit, we aim to instill in students a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the planet, emphasizing the importance of protecting and respecting all living beings.
📣 Newsflash: Students Dive Deep into Spanish Class Learning! 🌎📚
In an innovative fusion of language and science, students are breaking boundaries in their Spanish class!
🏔️ Exploring Landforms: Students have embarked on an exciting journey to learn about landforms and weather… in Spanish! From towering mountains to sprawling plains, they’re mastering the vocabulary while delving into the wonders of Earth’s formations.
🌦️ Weather Wonders: Not stopping at landforms, these budding linguists are also immersing themselves in the realm of weather patterns and phenomena. They’re discussing everything from sunny days to thunderstorms, all in español!
🌎 Transdisciplinary Triumph: But the learning doesn’t end there! These industrious students are seamlessly integrating their language lessons with the transdisciplinary unit on “How the World Works.” By connecting language acquisition with scientific exploration, they’re gaining a holistic understanding of both subjects.
🧠 Holistic Learning: Through this innovative approach, students are not only enhancing their Spanish proficiency but also developing a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of language and the natural world.
Grade 6: Design Class
by Mr. Jessie Saclo, MYP Design Teacher
Let There Be Light (Design Project)
The grade 6 Design class presented their lamp designs on March 22 to celebrate the end of their unit, “Let There Be Light.” During the first phase of that unit, the grade 6 students learned to make simple electric circuits to power a bulb. Through weeks of hands-on learning, the students acquired the skills of splicing and connecting wires, adding a plug, installing a bulb socket, measuring and cutting wood materials using carpentry tools, and assembling parts to create a functional product. With the objective of using locally manufactured products made of natural materials, the grade 6 students began planning their lamp designs, gathering inspiration from world-class designers such as Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue, CIS alumnus Vito Selma, and world-renowned driftwood sculptor James Doran-Webb.
Using the Design criteria, students went through a remarkable process of innovation and creativity, reflecting on their learning, and developing their design-making skills. Several changes and improvements were made to allow for the best design possibility based on available materials.
Click on the image above to take you to a website where you can look at the innovation of our grade 6 Design students, and marvel at their creativity and cool ideas!
College & Careers Counselor Corner
by Ms. Jenny Basa, College Counselor
How many colleges should a student apply to?
There is no magic number. It all depends on the factors that are of major importance to you and your conversations with family when you choose a college. Take time to read this article (How may colleges should you apply to? ) from the Harvard Business Review.
DATE
EVENT
April 18 Thursday
9:00 – 9:40 AM
Canteen Annex
All HS students invited to attend
Study Gold Coast – Mini College Fair
Participating Institutions:
- Bond University
- Griffith University
- Southern Cross University
- New York Film Academy Australia
- Australian International Student Tours
SAT Update
2023–24 School Year Test Dates
| Test Date | Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation |
| May 4, 2024 | April 19, 2024 |
| June 1, 2024 | May 16, 2024 |
To register for the SAT, you may click on this link. If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Jenny Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph.
[…] See last week’s article by Mr Martin for more details […]