Tag Archives: elementary school

4th Graders Tour Versailles – Virtually!

Posted on June 6, 2013 by emilywarde

This past Tuesday morning, Lousi XIV’s France came to the Silicon Valley. Olivier Monteil’s 4th Grade French class was treated to a digital tour of the Château de Versailles. They visited the Hall of Mirrors, the Appartement du Roi, and the breathtaking gardens surrounding the palace – all without leaving their Cohn Campus classroom.

DSC_0254

At 8:30 a.m., students connected live over the Internet with a professional guide in Versailles, France, where it was 5:30 p.m. local time.  The guided tour was an interactive, multi-media, language immersion experience. In one corner of the screen, students could see their guide’s face as she gave expert commentary in French about the images they were seeing. On the main screen, students saw video streaming live from various points in the palace. The guide was able to zoom the camera in to examine the elaborate art and decorations close-up. Students got to see exquisite tapestries and murals, and Louis XIV’s bed and coat of arms up. The Versailles specialist also used beautiful photographs, movie clips, and period music to recreate the atmosphere of Louis XVI’s royal court.

The Versailles tour complemented the unit the French Program 4th Graders had just completed on Louis XIV and the French monarchy. After the tour was complete, students had the opportunity to interact with the tour guide and ask questions. Students asked many interesting questions, including: Why did Louis XIV wear a wig? How many kids did he have? How did he brush his teeth? Olivier reported that he was “very proud of the students, because when they asked their questions, they really showed they had learned a lot in their studies and were curious to learn even more.”

This is the second year that Olivier Monteil has arranged a virtual tour of Versailles for his students. The tour is part of a program subsidized by the French government that runs virtual tours of monuments throughout France. The Versailles tour has proven to be such a valuable learning experience that Olivier is thinking of expanding the program to include more sites next year.

Posted in Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

ISTP 3rd Grader Devyn B. Is a Tech Wizard

Posted on May 31, 2013 by emilywarde

IMG_6073

At ISTP, we strive to give all our students the tools to discover and pursue a true passion. One of our Chinese Program 3rd Graders, Devyn B., has already discovered a passion for technology, and has had amazing success in pursuing this passion. Devyn’s accomplishments, which include building robots, developing an iPhone app and a video game, and learning a new software language at Twitter Headquarters, are remarkable for any person – and even more remarkable considering that Devyn is a third grader.

Devyn’s mom Tamara says that her passion for technology stems from the fact that “Devyn likes to try new things; she loves all things art and science.” This year, Devyn was able to use her creativity and ingenuity as a member of the Hacker Scouts, a program similar to Boy or Girl Scouts, but more technology focused. As a Hacker Scout, Devyn learned how to solder circuit boards and build basic robots. This led Devyn to discover a new hobby that she now pursues in her free time – making brushbots (robots made of toothbrushes).

IMG_6059

Devyn had the opportunity to attend the Dare 2B Digital Conference for Girls, sponsored by Oracle, where she developed her own iPhone app. She also recently created a video game, with two partners, at Thought Works in San Francisco. She spent seven Saturdays developing an original game titled “Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies,” in which rubber duckies navigate a maze. Devyn’s mom Tamara reported that “They added sound, and of course Devyn did the voice-over for her ducky in Mandarin!”

As a result of her work on the video game challenge, Devyn had the opportunity to visit Twitter headquarters. Usually, this program is reserved for older students. However, Tamara shared that “The Director observed that Devyn was a good student, listened well, asked questions when she didn’t understand, and was able to apply instruction,” and allowed her to participate. Tamara also reported that “the Twitter Engineers were impressed with Devyn, and her language skills.”

Devyn’s mom Tamara believes that ISTP has been a strong influence in shaping the remarkable young person Devyn has become. She says, “Devyn’s ISTP experience has allowed her to embrace new things without the fear of getting it wrong.  Her teachers have inspired her at every level – she has been encouraged to not give up on herself, or any assignment.” Devyn has particularly benefited from the Design Your Own Homework assignments she has done with her teachers Susan Brooks and Enessa Sanchez. Tamara fondly recalls one of Mrs. Sanchez’s DYOH assignments that truly inspired Devyn. Mrs. Sanchez encouraged Devyn to harness her creativity, resulting was a very thoughtful and personal product. Tamara related, “The DYOH assignments have allowed her to be particularly creative and think beyond just getting a task done. She’s really problem-solving and challenging herself as she accomplishes these types of critical thinking assignments.  It’s been one of the best gifts of many from ISTP.”

At ISTP, the development of critical thinking skills is built in to our curriculum.  It is amazing to see these skills take hold and blossom in someone so young. ISTP is proud to have played this role in developing Devyn’s extraordinary young mind.

Posted in Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rothschild Multipurpose Room Renovation Will Increase PE Options, Create Indoor/Outdoor Flexibility

Posted on May 23, 2013 by emilywarde

Screen Shot 2013-05-23 at 2.30.27 PM

The renovation of the Rothschild Multipurpose Room (MPR), part of Phase One of ISTP’s Expansion for Innovation, will vastly increase the room’s versatility and flexibility.

Whereas now only one PE class can utilize the space for a single activity, with the renovations, multiple activities will be able to take place simultaneously. A new movable room divider will be installed, allowing teachers to split the room in half. Students will be able to practice yoga in one area, while a dance class takes place in another. Lower Elementary School Principal Donna Wood shared that she is “very excited to be able to have two PE classes happening at one time. Now students will be able to have more PE classes each week.”

In addition to the movable room divider, two nano doors will be installed at the back of the MPR. The two large glass, accordion-fold doors will stretch the length of the back wall, offering views to the outside and visually enlarging the space even when closed. The nano doors can fold entirely out of the way, allowing the paved basketball court area outside to be an extension of the MPR. This change will give PE classes a lot more useable space, opening up a world of exciting possibilities. For example, an entire grade could participate in a PE obstacle-course without feeling cramped.

The nano doors will make the MPR a more attractive space for hosting all-school assemblies and special events, such as Arts Night. In addition to adding access to outdoor space, Assistant Head of School Kate Lussen says that with the nano doors “the space will look much nicer and no longer feel like a gym. The doors will give the MPR a sense of spacious indoor-outdoor flow.”

The renovations to the Rothschild Multi-Purpose Room are only possible with generous gifts from parents. Please consider making a gift to the Expansion for Innovation Capital Campaign. Contact Patricia Colin if you would like to give a gift or make a pledge, and visit www.istp.org/capitalcampaign to learn more about the campaign.

Posted in Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Media Hub Will Transform Student Learning at ISTP

Posted on May 16, 2013 by emilywarde

Media Hub 2

Imagine an open, bright space that forms the heart of the school, where students come to research on iPads or laptops, to discuss or present projects around spacious tables, or simply to curl up with a good book. ISTP’s new Media Hub will serve all these functions and many more. It is neither a classroom nor a library, but is an innovative new learning environment.

The Media Hub will be both the physical center of the Cohn Campus, and a center for learning and community. It has been designed with varied, flexible seating, to provide the perfect setting for individual and collaborative small-group learning for students of all ages. Younger students can gather on cushioned ottomans for stories, or draw on whiteboards mounted on the backs of mobile banquettes. Tables can be moved into any configuration, or even cleared to transform the area into a theater for dramatic performances. Older students can perch at café tables as they research on their laptops. A more private, conference room area will provide space for groups of students to collaborate on projects or give digital presentations.

The Media Hub is the perfect space for students to use the portable technology provided by our one-to-one iPad initiative in grades three to five, our one-to-one laptop program in middle school, and our shared iPad program in grades one and two. Technology support staff will be on hand and ready to help.

The Media Hub will also house our book collection, and the space will be served by our librarians. Students will especially love the fun, comfortable, cocoon-like reading spaces, which were designed to encourage a love of reading by offering an irresistible place to curl up with a fascinating novel or an exciting comic book.

Media Hub 1

Assistant Head of School Kate Lussen shared that he Media Hub was “designed to be inviting – to be a place where students will want to be.” The Media Hub will be open during recess and after school, so students will always have a place to go to learn, study, or simply relax and enjoy themselves.  “The Media Hub will have the feeling of a University commons,” Kate said. “It will be both comfortable and a place that inspires learning.”

The Media Hub was specifically designed to support student-directed, differentiated learning – the type of learning ISTP knows is essential for nurturing creative, exceptional students.

The construction of the Media Hub will mark the beginning of a new era at ISTP. Construction will take place over the summer, and the space will be open for student use when school begins in the fall!

The new Media Hub is only possible with generous gifts from parents. Please consider making a gift to the Expansion for Innovation Capital Campaign. Learn more and make a pledge at www.istp.org/capitalcampaign.

Posted in Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parents’ Day on Cowper

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Jacoba-Anna Bol

Parents Day: IMG_2011As the last month of school comes into view, Cowper Campus is bustling with events and activities. In the last few weeks, we have had wonderful opportunities to come together as a community. We have enjoyed parades, song and dance performances, and delicious homemade treats. This past Friday was another special day – it was Parents’ Day on Cowper Campus.

Parents Day: IMG_1954

During the week leading up to Parents’ Day, Cowper buzzed with excitement and anticipation. In many classes, students created beautiful works of art to give to their parents when they came to visit. In the Chinese Kindergarten classes, students had already spent many weeks creating elaborate, individualized needlepoint bags. The activity was a great opportunity for students to practice their small motor skills. The Chinese Kindergarteners also each created a hand drawn puzzle of their family, which they placed inside their bags. In the French Kindergarten classes, students prepared performances for their parents that included costumes and special games.

Parents Day: IMG_2038

The Nursery classes presented their parents with Modern Art paintings. They used bright paint and a Ping-Pong ball to create images with contrasting and crossing lines. In addition to the artwork, parents also received handmade flowers, pictures of the children in the garden, and charming poems.

Parents Day: IMG_2017The Pre-Kindergarten classes prepared both art and musical entertainment. They gave their parents hand-painted pen holders for their desks as well as picture frames and mosaic tiles. Jean-Batiste led the French Program Pre-Kindergarten students in a lively song and dance performance about how Zebras got their spots. It was inspiring to see how hard students had worked to create costumes and decorations and to memorize their lines. One could truly see how each student had grown more comfortable with his or her language skills. Each student memorized a line or two for the performance. When the performance was over, everyone was beaming with pride.

Parents Day: IMG_1965

After the gifts and performances were presented to the parents, everyone came together on the field to enjoy a gloriously sunny day. Each class set up its own canopy, with tables overflowing with treats made by the students and their teachers. The students, parents and faculty all socialized and played together in the sunshine. Some parents were quick to get up and play tag or hide-and-seek with their little ones, while others discovered the garden, played in the sandbox, or began making their plans for summer.

Parents Day: IMG_2055

A special thank you goes out to all the faculty and staff that helped make Parents’ Day such a great success. We are grateful for your efforts and the opportunity to further foster community on Cowper Campus.

Parents Day: IMG_1972

Posted in Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Expansion for Innovation Evening: Exciting Plans for Cohn Campus Are Revealed

Posted on May 10, 2013 by emilywarde

DSC_0167

At the unveiling of the Expansion for Innovation Campaign this past Thursday night, parents were treated to a preview of the exciting changes that will soon come to the Cohn Campus. Board of Trustees Chair Jim Bean, Head of School Philippe Dietz, and Campaign Co-Chairs Gerald Hwasta and Sophie Bromberg were on hand to explain all the Expansion for Innovation plans and to answer everyone’s questions.

The room was filled with interest and anticipation as Gerald Hwasta revealed and explained ISTP’s vision for Cohn. Gerald displayed beautiful architectural renderings of how Cohn will look once the renovation and upgrades are complete, which helped the audience truly envision the transformation. These renderings can currently be seen outside both Cohn and Cowper Campuses, as well as on the Expansion for Innovation website.

DSC_0133

ISTP’s expansion plan is especially exciting given its immediate start date. When students return to school in the fall, the campus will already show transformation. Gerald told the audience, “When you come back to school, you will see a different building.”

Parent, Terri Kalia, shared that she thought it was “a credit to the school” that ISTP was moving forward with its plans so quickly, particularly the plans for the new Media Hub technology and learning center. She explained that coming from French schools in Canada, she knows firsthand that “what ISTP is planning and doing is well ahead of what other schools are doing,” and that the school “should be proud that it is giving students the tools they will need to move forward and succeed in the future.”

DSC_0220

The Expansion for Innovation marks a new chapter in the school’s history. The changes at Cohn will enhance the programs we already have, and will allow for further expansion and innovation. Gerald also reminded the audience of the greater importance of the project – that the expansion will “both benefit your kids today and leave a legacy for the families that come after us,” just as the Cohn Campus itself was a gift from previous ISTP families.

We would like to thank everyone who attended the evening for their amazing enthusiasm and support.

See what all the buzz is about, and see all our plans and architectural renderings at www.istp.org/capitalcampaign.

 

Posted in Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

ISTP Students Take Top Honors at 38th Annual Mandarin Speech Contest

Posted on May 7, 2013 by emilywarde

2013-ChineseSpeech

The winners of the 38th Annual Mandarin Speech Contest, sponsored by the Chinese Language Teachers Association of California, have just been announced! Our Chinese Program students’ hard work has paid off – several ISTP students and one ISTP alumna took top honors.

First Place: 

  • Christine H., 3rd Grade
  •  Elizabeth M., ISTP Alumna (8th Grade 2012)

Second Place:

  • Kasper H., 1st Grade
  • Evelyn Z., 2nd Grade
  • Azalea W., 4th Grade
  • Sierra M., 5th Grade
  • Ashley V., 6th Grade

Third Place:

  • Thomas R., 1st Grade
  • Lowell K., 2nd Grade

Honorable Mention:

  • Emily C., 1st Grade
  • Ajax F., 1st Grade
  • Derrick H., 1st Grade
  • Kevin Y., 1st Grade
  • Victoria C., 2nd Grade
  • Mandi L., 2nd Grade
  • Burton L., 2nd Grade
  • Aaron Y.,  2nd Grade
  • Charlotte F., 3rd Grade
  • Hannah K., 3rd Grade
  • J. Z. K., 4th Grade
  • Claire L., 4th Grade
  • Nicholas M., 4th Grade
  • Alexandra S., 5th Grade
  • Katie C., 6th Grade
  • Alexander S., 6th Grade

ISTP is very proud of all the winners and participants!

Check out our previous blog for a more detailed account of our students’ preparation for this challenging contest. ISTP Blogs: Mandarin Speech Presentations – Congratulations to our Talented Speakers!

Posted in Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Earth Week on Cowper

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Jacoba-Anna Bol

During Earth Week on Cowper Campus, our students discovered the world around them and created wonderful memories. Our Earth Day – related activities included  earth science adventures during Mini-Camp, a new natural obstacle course, and our Earth Day extravaganza featuring an exciting visit from the ISTP 5th graders.

IMG_1716

 

Our activities began in the classroom with a unit on bugs and plants. Students were put in charge of taking care of their new bug friends, and they eagerly watched them grow and change. Some classes received caterpillars that eventually metamorphosizeded into beautiful butterflies. Others cared for lady bugs and ant farms. Each insect and plant brought into the classroom was treated with respect and care. Students learned how to take care of other living things, and were introduced to the process of making scientific observations. Students either drew or wrote their observations in special scientific notebooks.

IMG_1493

IMG_1487

Students that attended our Spring Break Mini-Camp continued the earth science theme. Campers learned all about the layers of earth and sediment. They also constructed their very own volcano! Each recess the mini-campers made new discoveries, gathering new plants and insects to identify. Mini-campers also excitedly watched the construction of Cowper’s new obstacle course made of logs and tires. But it wasn’t until our special Earth Day gathering that we were able to put the new obstacle course to use.

IMG_1546

The special gathering took place on Wednesday of Earth Week. In the morning, the Kindergarten classes prepared to receive the 5th graders. A bus pulled up to Cowper Campus around 10:30 a.m., filled with students, teachers and lots of flowers for planting. The excitement was tangible. Activities were separated into six different stations manned by parents and faculty alike. All of the activities reflected Earth Day themes, and included team building, discovery, and games.

 

IMG_1660

The 5th graders bonded with the younger students by reading Earth-themed stories.  After the stories, students visited the sack races and cheered their team members on to the finish line.

zoom_photo263227_3372786

IMG_1641

Meanwhile, in the garden the students planted flowers in hand-painted pots. Elsewhere, students created quilting squares with multi-colored beans and painted beautiful water colors with vegetable juice paint.

IMG_1585 IMG_1560

The most impressive project was stationed in the sand box, where students were introduced to Land Art, creating colorful art sculptures with natural objects.

IMG_1613IMG_1674

Students of all ages shared smiles, love and laughter as they gathered around the painted murals that the 5th graders had created for the Cowper garden.

zoom_photo263227_3372778

Each group sat in a circle to admire the mural and give thanks to the earth. Within the circles the students discussed the discoveries they had made, and how to use these discoveries to help the earth.

IMG_1490 IMG_1743

It was truly a wonderful week that would not have been possible with out the help of faculty, staff and parent volunteers from both Cowper and Cohn Campuses. Our community has truly been enriched by this experience. The Early Years students solidified bonds that will continue to grow as they make their journey from Cowper to Cohn.

IMG_1745

 

Posted in Guest Bloggers, Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mandarin Speech Presentations – Congratulations to our Talented Speakers!

Posted on April 15, 2013 by emilywarde

IMG_0299[2]

For the past few months, our Chinese Program students have been hard at work preparing for the 38th Annual Chinese Language Teachers of California Mandarin Speech Contest. Chinese students from all over the state compete in this prestigious contest. Each year, 5 students from each ISTP Chinese Program class are chosen to take part in the contest. But the contest is only an extension of what is happening in the classroom.  Public speaking is a part of the curriculum, and each year students participate in speech presentations at every grade level.  Every student in grades one through eight writes his or her own speech and recites it in front of parents and teachers.

The process of preparing the speeches is challenging but also very rewarding. Students write their own speeches, on a topic of their choice. Younger students write about their experiences – their family, their pets, their school, or interesting trips they have taken. Middle Schoolers tackle more advanced, essay-like topics, such as “the role of technology in the world.”

No matter the topic, students are encouraged to challenge themselves. Because students are encouraged to write their speeches at an advanced level, they collaborate very closely with their teachers. First, a class will brainstorm ideas for their speeches as a group. Next, students write their speeches individually. Then, teachers help students refine their writing.  After students have a final written draft, they begin to memorize and practice reciting their speech.

Finally, students recite their speeches to class parents at a public presentation. The presentation provides an amazing opportunity for students to work on their public speaking skills. The speech presentation project also helps students improve their writing, organizational skills, and pronunciation. The parents who attended our class presentations have all expressed great admiration for students’ hard work and skill.

Five students from each class have been chosen to represent ISTP at the final competition, held in San Francisco on April 27. Students were chosen based on pronunciation/tones, delivery, cadence, content, and intonation. Our teachers are very proud off all their students. Diana Kong noted, “you can really see the improvement that students have made, not just in speaking but also in writing.”

Congratulations to all our students for their hard work, and good luck to those competing on April 27!

View a video of the 4th Grade Presentations!

Screen Shot 2013-04-15 at 10.51.20 AM

Posted in Inside ISTP | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Update from Fumel – the 4th Grade French Exchange Trip

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Cara Lynch

zoom_photo259934_3299188

We began our trip with a very long journey by plane from San Francisco to Amsterdam to Toulouse. After a two-hour bus journey from Toulouse, we finally reached our destination – Fumel, France. The children in Fumel greeted us warmly and everyone quickly made friends.  We were treated to a welcome snack of cookies and drinks before students went home with their new best friends and host families.

We spent the following day at our host school. We started the day with a tour. Then, we headed to an English lesson where the Fumel students asked the ISTP students lots of questions about themselves. After that, everyone played fun team games together during PE. At lunchtime, many of the boys took part in organized soccer matches with a coach before we all headed down to the canteen for a hot lunch of cordon bleu and haricots verts. Delicious!

In the afternoon, the children took part in another English lesson and a history lesson before embarking on a walking tour of Fumel village. Everyone had lots of fun and the children all seemed very happy with their new French friends!

On the third day of our trip, we drove for one hour through the beautiful French countryside to a zip-lining center. Once there, the children (ISTP and French children) were split into two groups. One group went zip-lining, the other went orienteering.
zoom_photo259821_3296045

Zip-lining was great fun. We were “taught the ropes” before being allowed to take on the course ourselves. Everyone had a go. Laurent sped around the course. Miss Cara was very scared but Alexis kept her distracted and helped her out a lot!

After lunch, the children swapped activities. The sun came out and warmed us all up. Everyone enjoyed the lovely countryside before heading back to school and our host families.

zoom_photo259934_3299152

On our fourth day in Fumel, we visited the beautiful nearby castle of Bonaguil. Bonaguil was originally built in 1271. Later, Berenger de Roquefeuil, who lived there between 1448 and 1530, transformed the castle into a fortress. We braved the cold during our morning tour of the castle. Students saw drawbridges, caves, and cannon ports, and their imaginations ran wild! After having lunch in the castle’s dining hall, the children went on a treasure hunt around the castle in small groups. They also worked in small groups to construct a model drawbridge. Everyone had a chance to try his or her aim at archery. Some students even hit the bull’s eye!

zoom_photo259934_3299161

We have had a great trip so far, and are looking forward to the many fun activities that still await us!

Posted in Guest Bloggers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment