Thank you for coming along to ConVERSOs last Friday to connect and share.

Dear Middle Loop Learners & Families,

Thank you for coming along to ConVERSOs last Friday to connect and share.

We hope this was a fruitful time for LDs and parents to listen and learn from different perspectives as we strengthen the home-school partnership.

If you wish to speak to any ML Learning Designer, please email them to schedule a ConVERSO. We are always willing and open to discuss your child's learning and answer any questions you may have.

A big shout out to Khun May (C7-8 parent representative) and Khun Fuu (C5-6 parent representative) for their input in developing the ConVERSO format and structure.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you at the C7-8 Showtime on 6 October 2023.

Photo of the Week Building Confidence

Maria is one of our new students who is presenting her mathematical thinking about area to the class.

Well-Being

This quarter, your children are learning about the benefits of working together as a team. We started the year with team-building games that were challenging, fun, and where everyone was driven to contribute. This has been enjoyable for the learners and has led to us being able to work together, acknowledging each others' strengths, and being able to trust that we will be where we are meant to be and keep each other safe. 

The C5-6 learners are working on movement skills that allow them to move from one place to another. This was done by playing a variety of evasive games. The skills we are focusing on are:

• Rolling, sliding, climbing, walking 
• Running, skipping, galloping
• Jumping, hopping, dodging

The C7-8 learners have been working on object manipulation where we use body parts to manipulate or move an object. We are focusing on throwing and catching while learning how to play touch rugby. They are enjoying learning a new sport and working together to ensure that everyone is involved and enjoying themselves.

By Shanna Comerford

7-8 Learning Lab in Action

This week's C7-8 Learning Lab’s key guiding questions are: (1)How artists employ the elements and principles of art to craft pieces that stir emotions and (2)What symbolic elements could be incorporated into their own creations to convey their ideas?

To help our learners translate and communicate their learnings into an artistic work, we brought an art gallery learning experience to C7-8.

Learners were engaged in an analytical discussion about how master artists such as Eugene Delacroix, Francisco Goya, and Pablo Picasso skillfully utilized the seven elements of art - line, color, value, shape, form, texture, and space - to effectively convey messages and share their sentiments on political matters. Through examining various examples, learners observed how a careful placement of elements can symbolize ideas and concepts, how the choice of colors can evoke emotions related to different ideologies, and how the interplay of light and shadow can mirror the complexities of power dynamics.

 As part of the learning process, learners also collaboratively created a mind map of terms that characterizes political systems as well as incorporating elements of art and symbolic representations into the mind map. This activity aims to reinforce their ability to link artistic concepts with political ideologies and to deepen their understanding of the relationships between humans and the systems.

By Amy Premo

Literacy Workshops

In ML English Language Arts, we have introduced the library and enjoyed checking out books as well as reading for pleasure. Learner librarians take turns checking books in and out, as well as returning books to the shelf. This is a great way to get to know the new space and increase learner agency!

C5-6 learners have been writing about themselves and VERSO as part of our pre-assessments to determine what skills we need to focus on. Our reading focus is nonfiction with the aim of gathering information that applies to the Learning Lab. Learners choose books from a collection of books in EPIC. Vocabulary building is easiest when you encounter words in context. They have read about Newton’s laws of physics; motion, velocity, gravity, as well as aerodynamics! 

C7-8 learners are focusing on vocabulary building, dystopian fiction, as well as an EPIC books reading collection tailored to their Learning Lab Driving question. They  are reading “The Giver” by Lois Lowry and are asked to identify significant pieces of text and explain the significance as related to their LeLab Project. Learners do this by keeping a dialectical journal. A “Gallery Walk” of pictures related to dystopia, utopia, and reality, was used to provoke thought and discuss difficult topics using academic language.

By Traci Toothman

EAL Workshops

As we start the school year, we have been focusing on creating a risk-free environment where students can express themselves in English and become more confident in their English language skills.

We have introduced the library and enjoyed checking out books as well as reading for pleasure. The learners can check out 2 books to read at home and school. We have practiced independent spelling strategies as well reviewing basics such as capitalization.  

In C7-8, we have begun a guided reading group to read, “The Big Lie’ by Isabella Leitner which is a biographical story about the takeover of Poland during World War 11. The book is written for young readers and supports the concepts taught in Learning Lab of how humans and political systems influence each other. We have practiced compare and contrast language that they can use to discuss their political systems.

By Maria Pannakan

Out and About ShowTime 

Nisa (G6), Phop (G5), Thee (G3) and 2 friends performed at Siam Square Walking Street over the weekend. When opportunities to perform in school and out of school happen, we are working together to develop greater confidence in partnership!



UniVERSOtea Coffee Morning

We had a great turnout for the UniVERSOtea Morning. Thank you for joining us to learn more about the university landscape. Greg Mason, our Career and University Guidance Counselor, is new to VERSO this year and even though he primarily works in the Upper Loop, he is happy to connect with parents who have graduation or university questions. Greg will be offering regular UniVERSOtea sessions on the first Wednesday of each month to share more about how the university pathway works and what it means for a student learning at VERSO. For parents who were unable to attend, all coffee morning presentations will be uploaded here on CoCo and can be accessed using your VERSO Gmail
 
Reach out to Greg if you have any questions around university pathways at greg.mason@verso.ac.th.

Important Reminders

• 18 September: Childline Thailand Donation Drive Final Day. Please see the flyer for specific items that have been requested for donation
• 22 September: Future Ready Friday. Learners are encouraged to come to school dressed as their future self
• 25 September: Movie Magic Monday. Learners are encouraged to come to school dressed as their favorite movie character
• 26 September: Team Spirit Tuesday. Learners are encouraged to come to school dressed in our VERSO school colors
• 26 September: Homecoming U18 girls and boys basketball games vs Lycée Français International de Bangkok (LFIB) 3:00pm-6:00pm @ Arena
• 27 September: Coffee Morning with Head of School
• 28 September: VERSO’s Wai Kru Celebration (Teacher Appreciation Day)
• 6 October: C7-8 Learning Lab Showtime 

Important Links

• VERSO Family Handbook
• School Calendar
• Student Absence Form
• Student Late Arrival Form
• Student Early Leave Notification Form