Middle School Drama
Grade 6 Drama
Students began their studies with an Introduction to Drama unit and learned some basic conventions and components of the subject; inclusive of Freeze Frame, Stage Grid, Character Hot Seat and the basic Elements of Drama, such as Role, Relationship, Time and Place. Students identified important ways to become another character on the stage, which was then put into practice, when they created their own famous characters and television programs for a staged interview. Students were given the task of writing and performing their scripted interview to a live audience. The creation of a character and the expression of emotion was explored throughout the process. The Grade 6 students rose to the challenge and demonstrated much creative thinking throughout the unit. As an audience, the group experienced many wonderful interviews; complete with some great costumes and some interesting and well-developed characters.
In our second unit, students have been exploring the art of narration and storytelling through role play. Fairy tales were the basis for the discovery of three narration techniques: Narrator Outside of the Action, Character as Narrator, and the Story Wall. Students revealed understanding of these techniques through group devised performance. Storytelling and the use of a narrator has also been explored with a variety of scripts in small group activities. The class is currently working on a one-act play, which uses narrators consistently throughout the piece. This script will be performed in the end of Semester Middle School Drama Performance. The Grade 6 class has consistently and positively engaged with the drama class activities and have been very open minded to learning about this new subject area in the Secondary School.
Grade 8B Drama
In the 8B Drama class, students delved into how an actor can communicate a message to a given audience though non-verbal communication and through the form of Mime in our first unit. The class began by experimenting with basic mime activities, which was followed by the exploration of character emotion without words and finally to the creation of story with the use of mime only. Throughout their journey in the topic of mime, students created excellent pieces of theatre which revealed strong skills of non-verbal communication.
In our second unit, the class went back to the beginnings of the ancient western world and learned about Greek Drama and how theatre evolved from rituals performed for the God Dionysus to the creation of plays for competition. The class explored the historical period and the way that theatre proved to be a central component of the ancient Greek civilization. The importance of mask, costume and the Greek Theatre, known as the Amphitheatre, were central to our study.
The exploration of the chorus and the central role that this group of performers played alongside the actors was focused upon during the unit. Students examined Greek text and learned how repetition and pause can affect a piece of choral theatre. They also demonstrated their understanding of the variation of voice (pitch, pace, volume and tone) and coupled this with the creation of choral movement to show meaning of the extract. The group has now moved towards the use of chorus in a modern play text, which will be performed in the end of Semester Middle School Drama Performance. It has been a joy to work with the students of 8B, who always work cohesively as a positive Drama ensemble.
The students of Grade 6 and 8B invite you to come to see their theatre performance work on the afternoon of 7th December in the Little Theatre. Specific times to be advertised soon.
HS Math
Business Mathematics – Grade 12
The class continues to learn by using the project-based learning approach in order to solve real-life situations using mathematics. The class applied what they learned recently in order to create a personal budget that would help them meet their financial goals. After choosing a job that they were interested in, students investigated how to factor in rent, utilities, transportation, and grocery costs. They then interviewed an adult within their community that helped them in their decision-making process and how to develop their personal budget. When completed, students presented their findings in class by sharing the amount they could possibly save per month by using a monthly manager spreadsheet. They also shared tips on how to prioritize expenses and how to stick to their budgets.
Precalculus – Grade 10/11
Last year in Algebra 2, students were introduced to different functions such as polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and how they work. This year, students in Precalculus are beginning to realize that functions play a primary role in modeling real-life situations such as using exponential growth and decay models to compare the populations of countries. Or, by using natural logarithms to figure out how to increase their finances over a set period of time. It has been quite amusing to observe the students’ increased interest on how to “make your money work for you” without “actually working.”
Algebra 2 – Grade 10
Did you know that the weight of the Coral Cod (fish) located near Palawan Island, Philippines, can be approximated by using an equation that uses nth roots? Well, neither did the Algebra 2 class until they began exploring Rational Exponents and Radical Functions. By learning how to interchange rational exponent notation and radical notation, students are able to understand more clearly how to use formulas that contain rational exponents in real-life. With this new knowledge, this class can now calculate many real-life problems such as how to avoid frostbite. Because, who doesn’t want to know how to calculate the wind chill temperature in order to avoid frostbite while skiing in Indonesia?
Geometry – Grade 9
Students in Geometry are learning how mathematics is related to triangles and are also developing an understanding of proofs and theorems. They are using given information about the properties of triangles in order to prove how triangles are congruent and are able to draw conclusions. Currently, students are focusing on the study of the properties of lines and segments associated with triangles and are using inequalities to make comparisons between the triangles. Coordinate proofs and indirect proofs will soon be introduced.
AP Calculus (AB/BC) – Grade 11/12
AP Calculus (AB/BC) is intended for students who have a thorough knowledge of college preparatory mathematics – including algebra, geometry, functions, and trigonometry. Concepts in the course are analyzed and discussed using a combination of algebraic, graphic, numeric, and verbal methods. Topics covered in the course include limits and continuity, differential calculus and applications of derivatives, integral calculus and applications of integration.
This year, class is off to a good start. All students are willing and ready to face the challenges of a rigorous course. It has been a challenging first quarter and we have covered the concept of limits and have recently completed the unit on Derivatives. They are currently exploring and learning the concepts of Antidifferentiation, also known as Integration
