Year 5 EOTC: Exploring the World of Performance - written by Mr. Attie Venter, Ms, Lindsay Meltzer.  To launch our new Unit of Inquiry, Year 5 students went on an exciting Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) trip to the Shaanxi Opera and Art Museum. The purpose of this experience was to spark students’ curiosity about the performing arts and begin exploring questions such as: What makes a performance successful? and Are the choices performers make intentional and meaningful?

Our visit began with a tour of the museum, where students carefully observed a variety of costumes, props, and artifacts. They discussed how these elements contribute to storytelling in performance and made connections about how visual details can help communicate meaning to an audience.

Next, students watched a variety show featuring different cultural performances. While observing the performances, students used the thinking routine, Ladder of Feedback, to guide their reflections. This routine encourages students to think critically about a piece of work by identifying what they notice, asking questions, offering suggestions, and considering possible improvements.

After the performance, students were invited onto the stage for a hands-on experience. They had the opportunity to explore the art of shadow puppetry and experiment with creating sound effects using unconventional objects—discovering how creative techniques can bring a performance to life.

This EOTC experience was a fantastic start to our new unit. Students will continue to build on their observations and feedback from the trip as they explore performance throughout the unit. By the end, they will use what they have learned to create and present their own performances.

Year 5 Mini-Exhibition - written by Mr. Attie Venter, Ms, Lindsay Meltzer. Year 5 recently held its first Mini-Exhibition, a special event where parents were invited into the classroom to celebrate their children’s learning. The afternoon was filled with excitement, curiosity, a bit of nervousness, but ultimately a lot of pride as students shared the work they had been developing throughout their science unit.

Working in small groups, students began their summative assessment by choosing a science question they were genuinely curious about. From there, they followed their Learning Method, an adapted version of the scientific method that they had been using throughout the unit. This approach helped students think carefully about how to investigate their questions, plan experiments, gather evidence, and reflect on their findings. What made this unit particularly meaningful was that the Learning Method was not only used in science; students also applied the same thinking process in numeracy, literacy, and guided reading, helping them see how inquiry and problem-solving skills can be used across different subjects.

One of the highlights for many students was the opportunity to conduct experiments in the Secondary science lab with Ms. Shirley. These hands-on investigations allowed students to test their ideas, observe results, and deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. The enthusiasm and engagement during these sessions was palpable!

The Y5 Mini-Exhibition provided a wonderful opportunity for students to practice explaining their thinking, share their learning journey, and answer questions from parents. It was also an important first step in preparing students for the PYP Exhibition next year in Year 6, where they will take on an even bigger inquiry project.

We would like to thank all the parents who came to support the students and celebrate their learning. Your encouragement and continued support throughout the year make a meaningful difference in the students’ learning experiences. The Year 5 team looks forward to building on this experience as students continue to grow as confident inquirers and communicators!