Events
Oct 21 –25 Fall Break, No School Oct 29, 30, 31 Lunch Orders and Ticket Sales, 7:00—8:30am Oct 29 ES Assembly, (ARC), 10:15am Oct 29 Boys Football CPHS vs CIS, (CIS field), 3:45-4:45 Oct 29 International Day & Evening (ARC), 6- 7:00pm Oct 31 Orange and Black Civvies Day for Secondary/ Cos- tumes or Orange & Black Civvies for EC and ES Oct 31 Secondary Assembly, (ARC), 9:05am Oct 31 Boys Football CIS vs GCA, (CIS field), 3:45-4:45 Nov 1 First Quarter Ends Nov 1 HS Leadership Minute to Win It Night, ARC, 6-8:00pm Nov 2 Open Library Morning, 9- 11:30am Nov 2 SAT Test Nov 4 Second Quarter begins Nov 6 EC Assembly, (ARC), 11:00am-12:00pm Nov 6 Boys Football, STI vs CIS, (CIS field), 3:45-4:45 Nov 7 ES Assembly, (ARC), 2:00- 3:00pm Nov 8 PSA Conference, No School for students Nov 11 Public Holiday, Remem- brance Day, No School Nov 12 Lions Sight Screening, Grade 1 and Grade 7 stu-
Cayman International School
P.O. Box 31364, Grand Cayman, KY1-1206
Phone: 345.945.4664 Fax: 345.945.4650 Email: [email protected]
October 18, 2013
Vol. I, Ed. 10
Save the date…
INTERNATIONAL
DAY/EVENIING IS
OCTOBER 29TH!
CIS Google Calendar link:
http://www.google.com/calendar/
embed?
src=cayintschool.edu.ky_ov62hbd
em2gnqt5ijm8dc1tmvk%
40group.calendar.google.com&ctz
=America/Chicago
CIS will be closed for the fall break. Should you need any as-sistance please email [email protected].
Dear Parents,
As part of our ongoing commitment to encourage respectful and kind behavior and address bullying, CIS participated in the International Stand-Up to Bullying Day on October 18, 2013. The CIS Morn-ing Wave supported this effort by encouraging positive actions/qualities among our student body such as kindness, acceptance of differences, and respect through their daily broadcasts this past
week. On Friday, students heard and/or said the Stand-Up Pledge. (See page 2).
In the Early Childhood and Elementary classrooms, teachers have been encouraged to support the anti-bullying initiative through lessons, discussions, or activities with their stu-dents. Middle School students met with Ms. Katie for a guidance lesson on car-ing and kind communication. High School students participated in the pledge and a discussion about this topic with their teachers. All students and parents were encouraged to attend the community events surrounding Cay-
man’s Stand Up to Bullying week.
We will continue to encourage, teach, and model respectful and kind behavior at CIS in an effort to make our school a better and more positive place for every-
one.
Have a good weekend and enjoy the fall
break.
Warm Regards,
Ms. Nadine and Ms. Katie
INTERNATIONAL STAND UP TO BULLYING DAY— OCTOBER 18
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cayintschool.edu.ky_ov62hbdem2gnqt5ijm8dc1tmvk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicagohttp://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cayintschool.edu.ky_ov62hbdem2gnqt5ijm8dc1tmvk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicagohttp://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cayintschool.edu.ky_ov62hbdem2gnqt5ijm8dc1tmvk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicagohttp://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cayintschool.edu.ky_ov62hbdem2gnqt5ijm8dc1tmvk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicagohttp://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cayintschool.edu.ky_ov62hbdem2gnqt5ijm8dc1tmvk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicagohttp://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cayintschool.edu.ky_ov62hbdem2gnqt5ijm8dc1tmvk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago
October 18, 2013
Vol. I, Ed. 10
Page 2
CIS Community News
CIS students worked very
hard these past two weeks and completed
the MAP reading and math assessments. Thank
you for coming and attending the informational meeting regarding
how we will be using the results to help drive our instruction. The results will
be provided to parents and students prior to the first parent-teacher conference.
Curriculum Chat
Ms. Rita
Halloween is just around the corner which
means it’s time to get ready to trick-or-
treat for UNICEF! Boxes will be distributed
at CIS the week of Halloween at drop off
and pick up. Children are encouraged to
take these iconic orange boxes with
them when they trick-or-treat to collect
money for UNICEF. 100% of all monies
raised goes to UNICEF International which
saves and improve children’s lives,
providing health care and immunizations,
clean water and sanitation, nutrition, ed-
ucation, emergency relief and more. Be
sure to pick yours up!
Goblin Teeth, Monster Scabs, and Witches Warts...OH MY!! Elementary Student Leadership are excited to be selling Boo Snacks on Wednesday October 30 and Thursday October 31 for Halloween.
Please help support elementary student leader-ship by purchasing one of these
SCARE-UMPTIOUS snacks!
WE STAND UP FOR BEING KIND
WE STAND UP FOR BEING HELPFUL
WE STAND UP FOR BEING ENCOURAGING
WE STAND UP FOR BEING RESPECTFUL
WE STAND UP FOR FORGIVING MISTAKES
WE STAND UP FOR INCLUDING OTHERS
WE STAND UP FOR SOLVING CONFLICTS POSI-
TIVELY
WE STAND UP FOR DOING OUR VERY BEST
WE ARE PEACE BUILDERS
I PLEDGE
TO PRAISE PEOPLE
TO GIVE UP PUT-DOWNS
TO NOTICE AND SPEAK UP ABOUT HURTS
TO RIGHT WRONGS
I TAKE A STAND FOR PEACE AT HOME, AT
SCHOOL
AND IN MY COMMUNITY EVERY DAY
I TAKE A STAND FOR PEACE
STAND UP PLEDGE
Thanks to the CIS PTA for
helping to purchase new Play-
ground Equipment. The new
structure will be installed during
the fall break.
http://www.unicefusa.org/work/health/http://www.unicefusa.org/work/water/http://www.unicefusa.org/work/nutrition/http://www.unicefusa.org/work/education/http://www.unicefusa.org/work/education/http://www.unicefusa.org/work/emergencies/http://www.kdl.org/kids/go/pgr_mainhttp://www.nwea.orghttp://community.nwea.org
October 18, 2013
Vol. I, Ed. 10
Page 3
CIS Community News Con’t
Tech Talk with Mr. Woody…
Two hundred and forty nine! That’s how many devices (iPads, laptops, iPhones, BlackBerrys, Androids, etc.) were using the CIS school wireless system at 10:50 am recently. This amount of wireless access would have been impossible last school year—but not now. Last August CIS installed a state-of-the-art, Cisco/Meraki wireless system making seamless, wireless access available to students and faculty. This wireless system, coupled with our new and robust 10Mb WestStar fiber-optic Internet service, has made
CIS technologically exceptional!
For the next few weeks students in Grades three through eight will be taking the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) as-sessment. Because this is an on-line test, a strong Internet connection is mandatory. We have it!
But that is not all CIS has done recently to enhance technology.
In August, all classroom teachers received a new classroom desktop or laptop. These computers enable teachers to take full advantage of CIS’s on-line accounts such as BrainPop, Voice-Thread, Geography-All-The-Way, Pebble-go, Grolier, Ebsco, Follett Shelf and EdLine. These are all examples of costly, yet educationally enriching resources. Fast computer processors and fast Internet are a must to utilize these resources to the fullest.
Two new Smart Boards were installed in classrooms and all the Smart Board software and hardware have been upgraded.
Twenty iPads were purchased by the PTA last school year and it was difficult to keep up with their daily check-out de-mand. So this year we added 50 more iPads along with a secure cart that facilitates installing new apps and keeping those iPads all charged-up.
Faculty and students in Grades 5-12 now have a CIS Google account that allocates a whopping 30GB of free data storage. This facilitates computer projects started at school to be accessed and worked on at home via the cloud.
There is no doubt about it, we can always improve, but CIS technology right now is certainly on the front line!
CALLING ASPIRING ARTISTS ….
There are many exciting local events, contests and opportunities for young
artists in the coming weeks:
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is presenting The Big Draw KY drawing fes-
tival from October 1-26. Events include exhibitions, documentary screenings, panel
discussions, drawing sessions and workshop. Please visit www.nationalgallery.org.ky
or call (345)945-8111 for more information. Admission to these events and to the
NGCI is free!
The Cayman Watercolours Charitable Trust is conducting a competition for high school
artists to have their Cayman themed watercolour painting featured in the
2015 edition of the Cayman Watercolours Calendar. Please see Ms. Amy
for entry forms and more information.
Students may submit their artwork to be published in the CIS Literary
Arts Zine. Please see Ms. Amy or Ms. Marian for more information.
Thank you so much for your support of the arts at CIS!
ANNOUNCE-MENT
If you are in Kindergarten-Grade 2 and are interested in doing a small research project on pumpkins, come see Ms. Ashley.
Prizes will be given for
projects that have been
brought to the library,
complete, by the end of
the month.
http://www.nationalgallery.org.ky
October 18, 2013
Vol. I, Ed. 10
Page 4
CIS Community News con’t
And the Golden Shelf Elf Award Winners
are...
October 31 –Spooktacular Civvies Day
Early Childhood and Elementary students may celebrate Halloween this year by wearing costumes to school on Thursday, October 31
st. Children may remain in their cos-
tumes if they can move freely in them (especially on the playground, Mime & Movement, and PE) otherwise please pack a change of Orange and Black Civvies. Secondary students will have an Orange and Black Civvies day.
As you help your children choose a costume to wear at school, please remember:
* No weapons
* No face paints
* No masks, or scary kinds of costumes
We also ask that all accessories are left
at home until trick-or-treating. Should you have any further
questions, please feel free to contact your children’s
teachers for further clarification. We are surely in for a Spooktacular day!!!
The Lions Club of Grand Cayman
Sight Screening 2013
Ms. Lizzie’s
Grade 2 Class
Ms. Tatum’s
Grade 1 Class
and
Congratulations!
Pink Civvies Day last Friday raised money
for the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.
CIS students and staff raised CI$
1081.95. This is the largest amount we
have raised through a Civvies day
to date! Thank you everyone for
your donations and support.
Saturday Open Library Date: Saturday, November 2nd
Time: 9-11:30 AM
Come join us in the CIS library for read-
alouds and activities! We will be explor-
ing the theme of reflection.
*Please make plans to
stay with your child for
this family event.
If you have questions,
please contact
Ms. Ashley IB le
arn
er p
rofi
le: R
eflec
tive
The Lions Club of Grand Cayman and local optometrists, provide an Annual Sight Screening program within schools on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. This project has proven valuable in detection and prevention of visual impairment in the early years of students. The screening will be done with all Grade 1 students and all Grade 7 students at CIS on Tuesday, No-vember 12, 2013.
mailto:[email protected]
October 18, 2013
Vol. I, Ed. 10
Page 5
Good Sports
CIS is hosting its own coed foot-
ball tournament for CIS students
in grades 6 – 12 on Friday, No-
vember 22nd at 3:30pm. Students
will play multiple short matches on
mixed teams. Please let Ms.
Gisela
know if you are interested in play-
ing so we can begin planning for the event.
Division Time Teams Playing Venue
Saturday October 19, 2013
U-9 9:00 am Truth for Youth vs CIS Annex Field (field 2)
U-11 10:00am Truth for Youth vs CIS Annex Field (field 2)
Saturday October 26, 2013
U-11 TBD CIS vs Cayman Academy CIS
Saturday, November 9, 2013
U-9 9:00 am CIS vs St. Ignatius CIS
U-11 10:00am CIS vs St. Ignatius CIS
Saturday November 16, 2013
U-9 9:00am CIS vs George Town Primary CIS
U-11 10:00am CIS vs George Town Primary CIS
Saturday November 23, 2013
U-9 9:00am Sir John A. Cumber vs CIS WB Town Hall Field
U-11 10:00am Sir John A. Cumber vs CIS WB Town Hall Field
CIS Boys’ Football earned a 3-0 win over Cayman Academy yes-terday afternoon at the Camana Bay soccer pitch. Ben T. (Grade 6), Camilo B. (Grade 12), and Jagger H. (Grade 11) scored to bring the CIS Iguanas to victo-ry. The Iguanas will play Tuesday, October
29 at 3:45 against Cayman Prep here at the Camana Bay soc-cer pitch. See you there!
CIS Boys Football
CIS OUT AND ABOUT
CIS STUDENTS IN FORT MYERS FLORIDA
Some CIS students participat-ed in the ECHO Fall Classic Roller Hockey Tournament in Fort Myers, Florida this past weekend. The 10 and Unders won Gold and the 8 and Un-ders won silver!
Jayden M. received the Most Valuable Goalie award for the tournament and Sadie F. re-ceived the Assists Leader award for the tournament.
CONGRATUALTIONS!!
Bottom Row: Connor F. Jayden M., Andy H., Top Row: Justin H., Kayden K., Sadie F.
CIS STUDENTS BAKE FOR THE RED
CROSS
The U 11 and U9 teams played at Savannah this past weekend. Even though the teams lost, they showed improvement in their basic skills and their team play. Thank you so much for all the parents who attended and especially Ms. Angie and her family who came out to support the teams. Next up is Truth for Youth this weekend.
CUC PRIMARY FOOTBALL
Alexia L. and Nicky G. (grade 7) donated $276 to Red Cross. They raised the money by selling lemonade and baked goods. Over the last 2 years, the girls' lemonade stand raised over $1000 for local charities. What a tasty way to support the Cayman commu-nity!
mailto:[email protected]
October 18, 2013
Vol. I, Ed. 10
Page 6
Secondary Headlines
IB Learner Profile of the
Month In Action….
CIS is focusing on the IB Learner Profile
“Communicators” for the month of October.
Grade 9 World History students in Ms. Jodi’s
class “communicate” important issues of the
French Revolution by creating editorial cartoons.
Students use humor and satire to express opinions
on a real issue of French
Society during this era.
Graveyard Goodies
Thursday, October 31, the Middle
School Leadership will be holding a
Graveyard Goodies Bake Sale. The
bake sale is open to all secondary
students. Spooky snacks will be available for purchase during
break and lunch time outside of D4. All
funds raised will be donated to Feed Our
Future, a charity that provides healthy
lunches to school aged children in Cayman.
Come on out, grab a Halloween treat, and
support a great cause. Items will cost be-
tween .25 and $1.00.
STEM CARIB CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 16-19, 2013
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Carib conference is taking place again this year with a theme of Sustainability and Surviv-al. Several CIS students and teachers were present at the kick-off ceremony where Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne, Assistant Program Scientist for the International Space Station (ISS) presented her inspiring opening address. Throughout the next three days, the students will have opportunities to learn more about the space program, advances in nanotechnology, medical resonance imaging, and much more. The lunar eclipse (on Friday evening) and Family Fun Afternoon (on Saturday from 2:30-4:30) are events that are free and open to the pub-lic. Be sure to stop by UC-CI if you are interested!
Earlier this month, Ms. Megan’s high school Health class took a trip to Bon Vivant for an educational cooking class. The whole experi-ence was fun, challenging and exactly the kind of educational expe-rience the students were looking for. The students were introduced to healthy grains, proteins and vegeta-bles that they can use to increase the nutritional value of their diets. They were also given a challenge to create a tasty, healthy snack from mystery in-gredients. The students enjoyed the opportunity to create meals and, of course, eat them!
CIS Mission Statement: Cayman International School endeavors to provide each of our students the opportunity to achieve his/her academic and personal best within a U.S./International educational environment that encourages and in-spires leadership, character, and community service while embracing cultural diversity.
October 18, 2013
Vol. I, Ed. 10
Page 7
Seen On Campus
What is your background and heritage?
My heritage is Caymanian/ American.
Which countries have you lived in?
I’ve only lived in The Cayman Islands.
How long have you been living in the Cayman Islands?
I’ve lived here my whole life, 17 years.
How many years have you been at CIS?
I’ll have been at CIS for 10 years in December.
Describe yourself. (At least a few of your best and worst personality traits) .
I’d describe myself as easygoing, cool tempered, lazy, procrastinating, pessimistic (generally), “Most Unorthodox”
Are you a collector of anything? What? Why?
I collect Pokémon. Because my dream is to become the Pokémon master.
What is the greatest crisis we face as a world? Why?
I think the greatest crisis we face is Willful Ignorance. If people continue to choose not to accept something as fact simply because they are not
comfortable with it being true, we’re not going to get anywhere as a society.
What is your favorite movie and why?
My favorite movie is ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly’ by Sergio Leone. Great ending to a trilogy, wonderful story, intense, incredible writing
and camera work.
If you could eat dinner with any 3 people (deceased or alive) who would they be?
Christopher Hitchens, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Louis C.K.
What is one quality you admire most in others?
The quality I admire most in others is Intelligence
You're about to walk the green mile, what do you have as your last meal?
A patty with the key to my handcuffs in it.
What is your favorite quote? Why?
“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance”- Confucius. Because it’s true
What is your dream job/career? Why?
Paleontologist. I find fossils and the history of life on earth fascinating and I would love to be on the frontier of learning more about it.
October 18, 2013
Vol. I, Ed. 10
Page 8
with Brennan A.
CIS Mission Statement: Cayman International School endeavors to provide each of our students the opportunity to achieve his/her academic and personal best within a U.S./International educational environment that encourages and in-spires leadership, character, and community service while embracing cultural diversity.
Contact Miss Sarah for more information or to pledge food: [email protected]
WHAT IS IT? A night of food, music and culture to celebrate the ‘International’ in Cayman
International School
WHO’S INVOLVED? Everyone! Students will make artwork, maps, flags and informative displays
to learn about the cultures and nationalities represented here; and parents
can produce culinary items, and bring along traditional items to represent
your countries in the evening!
mailto:[email protected]
Please return recipe to [email protected]
CAYMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – INTERNATIONAL DAY 2013
RECIPE: _______________________________________________ COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: ______________________________ CATEGORY: __________________________________________ (i.e. main dish, appetizer, dessert, side dish, etc) INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:
SPECIAL NOTES: (i.e. allergy aware, history of dish, tips etc.)
CIS November Calendar 2013 NAME _______________ GRADE ___________ PARENT’S EMAIL: _______________________
PK3 TO GRADE 2 Please circle date and selections and turn in at “Drop off”
on October 29th, 30th & 31st, 2013 Grade 3 – 12
Ticket Books sold at “Drop‐off” on October 29th, 30th &31st Please make cheques payable to TROPICAL TRADER COMPANY
If paying in US$, please convert at CI$1.00 = US$1.25
1st Chicken Teriyaki w/ Egg Fried Rice
OR Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup
OR Egg Salad Sandwich OR Whole Wheat
Tuna Salad Wrap Whole Fruit or Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
4TH Mini Burgers or A Big Burger w/ Oven Baked Fries
OR Chunky Garden Vegetable Soup
OR Grilled Cheese OR Club
Sandwich Whole Fruit or Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
5th Spaghetti & Meatballs
OR Chicken Noodle Soup
OR Club Sandwich OR Turkey Sandwich
Fruit Cup or Vanilla Pudding or Cookie Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
6th THREE CHEESE LASAGNA
w/ Garlic Toast OR
Hearty Vegetable Soup OR
Club OR Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap
Whole Fruit or Cookie Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
7th Rotisserie Chicken w/ Rice & Beans & Carrots
OR Hearty Vegetable Soup
OR Chicken Salad Wrap OR Warm Meatball
Sub
Fruit or Chocolate Cake Square or Cookie Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
8TH
11TH
12TH
w/ Corn & Carrot Salad
OR Whole Wheat Club OR Tuna
Melt Sandwich
Fruit Cup or Apple Sauce Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
13TH
14th 15
th Turkey Hot Dog w/Potato Salad OR
Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup
OR Cheese Sandwich OR Whole Wheat Tuna
Salad Wrap Whole Fruit or Brownie or Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
18TH Mini Burgers or A Big Burger w/ Oven Baked Fries or Caesar Salad
OR Chunky Garden Vegetable Soup
OR Philly Steak Wrap OR Club
Sandwich Whole Fruit or Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
19TH
Celery Sticks & Baked Fries OR
Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup OR
Fried Egg Breakfast Sandwich OR Whole Wheat Tuna Salad Wrap
Fruit Cup or Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
20TH
All Beef Tacos with Lettuce Tomatoes & Shredded Cheddar & Rice-n-Pease Or Caesar Salad OR Chunky Garden Vegetable Soup
OR Cheese Sandwich or Club Sandwich
Whole Fruit or Cookie Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
21st BBQ CHICKEN w/ Mashed Potatoes & Sautéed Carrots
OR Vegetable Soup
OR Chicken Salad Wrap OR Warm Grilled Chicken, Ham & Provolone Sandwich
Fruit Cup or Banana Bread or Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
22nd Meatloaf w/ Gravy Roast Potatoes & Carrots
OR Tomato Alphabet Soup
or Turkey OR Club Sandwich
Whole Fruit or Strawberry & Oat Parfait
or Cookie Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
25TH Creamy Chicken Alfredo
W/ Peas & Cheesy Toast OR
Beef Taco Salad OR
Club OR Whole Wheat Tuna Salad Wrap
Fruit Cup or Jell‐O or Cookie Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
26TH
w/ Corn & Carrot Salad
OR Conch Chowder
OR Whole Wheat Club OR Tuna Melt Sandwich
Fruit Cup or Strawberry Cheese Cake or Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
27TH
Beef Stew W/ Steamed White Rice
OR Alphabet Tomato Soup
OR Roast Beef Sandwich OR Whole Wheat
Tuna Salad Wrap Fruit Cup or Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
28th Turkey Breast Stuffing &Mixed Veg & Gravy
OR Chicken Salad Whole Wheat Wrap OR
Meat Lovers Sandwich w/ Chips or House Salad
Whole Fruit or Sponge Cake or Cookie
Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
29th
Baked Pasta w/ Sweet Italian Sausage
OR Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup
or Cheese Sandwich OR Whole Wheat Tuna
Salad Wrap
Whole Fruit or Banana Bread or Cookie Choc Milk Juice Bot. Water Milk
October 29th, 30th & 31st 7:00am-8:30am
“EMERGENCY TICKETS” will NO LONGER be available
at the Front Office
Thursday November 7th - Warm Meatballs between Fresh Baked Roll Friday November 15th - Turkey Hot Dog with House Made Potato Salad Monday November 18th - Philly Steak Wrap Tuesday November 19th - Fried Egg Sandwich Wednesday November 20th - Beef Tacos with Shredded Lettuce, Diced Tomatoes & Shredded Cheddar Cheese! Monday November 25th - Seasoned Beef Taco Thursday November 28th - American Thanksgiving! Turkey Day Lunch!! Roasted Turkey, Stuffing, Mixed Vegetables, Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
As happy partners in the CIS School Lunch Program, Tropical Trader Restaurant Group has always strived to develop and improve with the growing needs of the school, parents and children.
So thanks to some very helpful suggestions and feedback from parents, we have done just that with regards to the lunches, sandwiches, and lunch time snacks that we are proud to offer to the students. Based on requests for different fruit varieties and “Healthy” snack alternatives, we are happy to enhance our wide range of options in the month of November!
Be on the look out for our sweet treats...we’re sure they won’t disappoint!
Information for parents
Learning and developing through play
Why play?Lucy and Robbie are playing outside. Their neighbours, Mariuz and Paula, arrive. The four children set about making a ‘tent’ by hanging an old curtain over a fence and a garden seat. They then make a list of all the camping items they need. Lucy gets plastic containers and lollipop sticks for cooking while Mariuz gathers twigs for a camp fire. Robbie and Paula find coats and old cushions to make beds. Soon, Lucy and Mariuz are Mam and Dad and are taking their children, Robbie and Paula, on a camping trip that lasts for the whole afternoon. Sound familiar to you? Yes, that’s because children love to play with family and friends.
Play is often described as children’s ‘work’. Playing helps your young child to
build relationships■■ – by being with others; sharing and taking turns; solving problems and negotiating like
when two children or more want the same toy; being
a leader and a follower; finding out how to join in play
with others; learning about others’ feelings
be creative ■■ – when he/she makes outfits from old clothes; builds an apartment block out of junk material;
makes a bowl from homemade play-dough and paints
and decorates it with glitter for a sparkly look
read, write and learn about numbers■■ – when he/she ‘reads’ and tells stories; makes menus for the café or
information booklets, posters and prescriptions for the
veterinary clinic; pays for things in the pretend shop;
writes down the scores of the matches for the news
report; measures how many blocks are needed to
build the road
think ■■ – when a plan has to be made so the toy tractor can drive over the slippy mud; when deciding what
items can be used to make a den; when figuring out
how a sloped roof can be made and attached to the
house of blocks
use language■■ – when he/she sings; says rhymes; tells jokes; takes on different roles in pretend play such as
the hairdresser, the waiter, the security guard, or the
dentist; explains the rules of a game
use small and large muscles■■ – when he/she builds an airport with Lego; cuts with scissors; draws
pictures; makes things from play-dough; runs;
jumps; plays ball games; climbs;
cycles; skips; threads beads
onto wool; makes chains
from daisy flowers.
Tip-sheet for parents of young children (2½—6 years)
Read on for ideas from Aistear on how you can help your young child learn through different types of play. You can use many of these ideas outside as well as inside.
Physical play
Play games outside like ■■ Hide and Seek, football,
frisbee, hula hoops, skittles (fill plastic bottles
with sand or small stones).
Encourage and help your child to use climbing
■■
frames, slides and swings.
Join in as your child runs, hops, jumps over and
■■
crawls under or into objects, balances, cycles
with or without stabilisers, and throws bean bags.
Introduce your child to games you liked when
■■
you were a child like Ring-a-ring a Rosy, Red
Rover, skipping with a rope, and Hop-scotch.
Dance to different kinds of music; play musical
■■
statues or do actions to songs like the Hokey
Pokey.
Do puzzles, jigsaws, threading, sewing, or
■■
building together with blocks.
Help your child to make a hidey-hole or a den.
■■
For example, use a blanket to hide a space
under the stairs; throw a sheet over the branches
of a tree or over a table or a few chairs; have a
large box for a den. Watch
your child turn the den
into a spaceship, a cattle
shed, a cinema. The
possibilities are endless!
Play is important to me,
and it is important for my learning and development.
www.ncca.ie/aisteartoolkitAistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
Games with rules
Rules in games become very
■■
important to young children. Often
children make up these ‘flexible’ rules
themselves. For example in pretend p
lay
everyone has to knock before coming
in, or girls are
not allowed drive the digger! When tak
ing part in pretend play follow the
rules your child makes.
Give your child lots of opportunities to
play games with rules, for example
■■
Snakes and Ladders, card games, BIN
GO, computer games, and word and
number games. Join in and have fun p
laying with your child.
Creative play
Most children love making things. You can help by providing items such as ■■
crayons, paints, chalks, different types of paper, chubby pencils, old rolls of wallpaper, newspapers, magazines, old birthday cards, used postage stamps, paper plates, glitter, glue, scissors, scraps of fabric, cardboard boxes and tubes, and used wrapping paper and ribbons. Do projects together, for example make a model of a spaceship using a shoe box
■■
or make a bus using a large cardboard box; make cards for special occasions; create a collage from pictures cut out from magazines.Make instruments and use them to sing some of your child’s ■■
favourite songs. For example, with a little imagination, and using cellotape, a shoe-box, a kitchen roll tube and some elastic bands you can make an amazing guitar! Paint together. Add glitter to your paintings for a magical
■■
touch or add lots of water and blow the paint on your paper to make funny shapes and patterns. Collect lollipop sticks and make things from them.
■■
Let me experience different
types of play.
Language play
■■ Play language and memory games like I spy, Words beginning with … (ea
ch
d beginning with a particular letter to the list), or I went to
person adds a new wor
the shop and I bought … (each person adds an item to the list).
ds like ban, chan, gan. ■■ Find rhyming words like fat, pat, h
at, or use nonsense wor
■■ Say tongue twisters like She sells sea shells by the seashore.
■■ Say nursery rhymes together and add lots of actions.
ones! ■■ Tell jokes, even the Knock, knock
Have a prop that helps you tell your child’s favourite story. For example, in T
he ■■
make a sock puppet of the fox, or in the story Little Bear use
Gingerbread Man
Read and talk about stories using comments and questions: for example,
a small teddy.
■■
Hmmm, I wonder what that is. What would happen if ...?
Make up stories together. Listen to your child’s stories. Let your imagination
s flow!■■
Sometimes
I like to play on my own or with other children, and at other times I like you
to play with me.
www.ncca.ie/aisteartoolkitAistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
Pretend play
Provide items that can help your child pretend to be other people like the bu
s-driver ■■
or postperson, or to be an animal, fairy or superhero. For example give him/
her
shoes, wallets, bags, jewellery, clothes, scarves, hats, lengths of fabric, car
dboard
wings, and capes. Take photos of him/her in role.
Children also love to use everyday items in their play, for example containe
rs, ■■
brushes, dust-pans, clocks, gardening tools, boxes, money, shopping bags,
old
hairdryers, kettles and toasters (with flexes cut off), measuring tapes, weigh
ing
scales, plastic bottles, old phones and cameras, old duvets and pillows, and
used baby clothes for
dressing dolls and teddies. A small stick can be a syringe in the doctor’s su
rgery; a sweeping brush
can be a horse; stools can be seats on a train!
Give your child glue, cellotape, paper, pens, cardboard boxes, feathers, and
so on so that he/she can
■■
make things like a mask, a telescope, a menu, and food for the sheep for th
e pretend play.
Join in the play and take on the role that your child gives you – the witch, the
pilot or the baby. Follow
■■
your child’s lead.
You can help me to learn
all sorts of things when we play together.
Playing with your young childHere are some tips which you might find useful as a parent.
Give your child 1. time to play every day.Provide 2. things for your child to play with. Recycled materials like boxes, household items and old clothes are often more fun than bought toys and equipment, and they cost less.Join in3. the play. Take on a role, make jokes and be playful. Make 4. space for play. As your child gets older he/she will probably spend more time playing with a particular thing or in a particular role, so having a place where your child can leave items and continue playing with them the next day is important. When chatting, 5. ask what your child was playing that day. Show that you value play whether it’s at home, with the childminder, in pre-school, in playgroup or in primary school.Tell6. your childminder or the staff in the pre-school, playgroup or primary school about the games, activities, nursery rhymes, and books your young child enjoys.
Pre-school and primary schoolPlay matters and not just while your child is at home. It is also an important way for your child to learn when in pre-school, playgroup and primary school. Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, 2009 (www.ncca.ie/earlylearning) and the Primary School Curriculum, 1999 (www.curriculumonline.ie) both highlight how important play is in helping young children to learn and develop.
Remember, play helps your young child learn many new skills and ideas, and build new information about how the world works. And very importantly, play is a fun way for your child to do all this. Enjoy playing together.
131018 NewsletterSenior Spotlight Brennan A Oct 18international night flyer 2013CIS recipe submission 2013CIS School Lunch Menu Nov 2013November Newsletter 2013Tip-sheet_on_play_Parents_of_young_children (2)
RECIPE: COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: CATEGORY: INGREDIENTSRow1: DIRECTIONSRow1: SPECIAL NOTES ie allergy aware history of dish tips etc: