Answers or resources for a variety of questions from our 8th grade parents

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80oSfJ7aTh4

2. Fundraising for Hurricane Harvey Victims - Grade 6 Report
https://youtu.be/kRuPdqwvym8

3. 8th Grade Parent Meeting
November 9, 2017
2 p.m. Lecture Hall

4. Purpose: To briefly address the many
questions that you posed and/or to
provide you with resources for future
reference

7. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/inquiry-based-learning-asking-right-questions-georgia-mathis

8. Where are the minutes?
Is there only 1 correct answer?
The discussion is important

9. Adults need to model the
behaviors we expect of our
children

10. Q: 請簡要說明 NWEA 量表意義。
- Please explain how to read the NWEA progress report.
NWEA-Measurement of Academic Progress
How can you read the NWEA Report?
Have you spoken to your Math and/or Language and Literature Teacher about
this?
Did you attend Parent Teacher Conferences?

20. Q: 孩子對於 MYP 的評分規則及如何拿高分還未充分了解, 希望老師可以針對每一次的作業, 考
試結果給予即時明確的comments 或是examples 以供參考。
- Kids do not fully understand the grading system of MYP, and how they can score
better in MYP. Parents would like teachers to comment promptly and explicitly on
homework and exams returned, or give examples (of standard answers of) homework
questions.
There is often not have a standard/set answer. Work with ambiguity.
Homework is practice…
(Example: Learn these 5 Chinese Characters)
http://www.kas.tw/learning/ibmyp/

21. Q: 現在家長手機上的 Power School 都看不到完整的成績, 無法即時了解孩子的學習狀況
- Parents cannot see all of the grades through Power School apps, so parents cannot
understand how their child is doing currently.
Parents should have some information via PowerSchool.
We are teaching students to be more independent.
Go to the Teacher, Google Classroom
Use the desktop version of PowerSchool

22. MYP Grading…
…is like a bowl of Beef
Noodles

23. MYP Grading Criterion
7-8: Excellent
5-6: Substantial
3-4: Adequate
1-2: Limited
0: Does not reach the standard
provided

24. 0: The work does not reach the standard provided
You might have started getting ready for
the dinner… but these are not a meal!

25. 1-2: Limited
What’s in it is so limited!
There are many things that can go in this.
Go back and do more!

26. 3-4: Adequate
Ok, you did more…
What else can you do to make it a nicer
meal?

27. 5-6: Substantial
Nice work! It has everything that qualifies
it as a bowl of real beef noodles.

28. 7-8: Excellent
Wow! You have produced much more than
a bowl of beef noodles! You added in extras
that make this your own special product!

29. Q: AP 或 IB program 各自面對的挑戰為何? 未來 High School 的 AP、IB 可以只選一種
嗎? 可以簡介 AP 執行現況及未來規劃的方向嗎?
What are the challenges of AP and IB program? Are the students able to choose only
AP or IB in high school? Can you explain the current AP program and its future
focus?
Look forward to Ms. Rocks presentation for 10th grade parent meeting/IB
Informational meeting (all parents welcome to come) 1-Hour Presentation

30. Q: 可否提供各科目的 online textbooks?
- Can the school provide online textbooks for all subjects?
We do offer many texts online (in Google Classroom).
We are continuously reviewing our textbook selection

31. Q: 建議學校能從 MS 開始建立一個系統, 了解如何透過體育項目比賽或成績, 在未來引導學生申
請好的學校 (Athlectic / Sports Scholarships...)
- Suggestion for the school to set up a system starting middle school, by providing
information to students on how they can apply to prestigious institutions thru athletic
programs and competitions, such as athletic or sport scholarships
MS grades/athletics Don’t affect college entrance
MS Athletics--goal is for students to be balanced individuals
ARTS, ATHLETICS, ACADEMICS

32. Q: 建議學校使用 Library AR 考試系統 (以前有), 方便老師追蹤學生閱讀狀況, 提升閱讀習慣與
能力
- We suggest school use Library AR testing system (as previously) so teachers can
keep track of students' reading level, as well as encourage reading habit and enhance
their reading ability.
See Language and Literature/ELL teacher for some more effective use of time

33. Q: 有些科目會有兩位老師, 請問學校每年是如何編班的?
- Some subjects have two teachers, how are the classes drawn each year?
Based on teacher expertise and master schedule.
Student Schedules
Based on class--math, world language, etc.

34. Q: 同年級每個科目是否有共同教學目標與進度, 是否可以在 KAS 網站規劃一個 <課程綱
要 syllabus>專區, 隨時可查詢各科老師的 syllabus. 目前遇到的狀況是不同的老師所給的上課材
料就有所不同。
- Do the common classes in each grade have the same goal and progress? Would it be
possible to set up a syllabus tab on the KAS webpage, so we can see the syllabus of
teachers in all subjects? It seems there are different materials from teachers in the
same subject.
Currently, Course Outlines provided during Open House, Google Classroom,
email
Course Outlines are the same for the Course with different instructors.

35. Q: 師資陣容是否可以更穩定?
- Would it be possible to have a more fixed teaching staff?
Overall: 7-8 years
Overseas: 4 years
Many international schools have teachers who stay for only 2 years.
Please let your teachers know that you appreciate their efforts and work with your
child.
The more people talk about KAS, the bigger our applicant pool becomes.

36. Q: 各科老師在給作業或考試時, 能否有協調的機制, 避免擠在同一天交很多作業、報告或大考。
- Would it be possible for teachers in different subjects to have better interaction, so
that homework, exams or large projects are not all due on the same day?
We do share our bigger projects/assessments with other faculty.
Sometimes, students WAIT until the last minute to complete assignments (even
for High School students.)

37. Q: Science teacher 常用播放影片來取代教學 , 對於一些重要的觀念 , 並沒有花很多時間來解釋 說明,多是蜻
蜓點水式的帶過, 我們發現孩子的觀念不 夠紮實, 能否請老師就上課方式 說明一下. 另外, 老師也很少讓同學
做實驗, 而且多是從網上找到題目便讓同學做功課 , 講解不夠。
- Science teacher usually plays films in place of teaching, and does not take a lot of time on
explaining the important concepts, thus students do not have a firm basic knowledge. Can the
teacher clarify her method of teaching. Also, not enough actual experiments in class, many
homework problems are from the internet, and not enough explanations.
The initial Unit lended itself to videos
7th grade curriculum different than 8th grade curriculum.
Current unit is more hands-on

38. Q: 有些老師沒有很嚴謹地要求學生如期交功課 , 收到學生的功課也沒有盡快批 閱。
- Some teachers do not ask for homework deadlines, and even when the homework are received,
they are not graded promptly.
Practice
Formative assessment

39. Q: 何時開始安排網球課程或納入課後活動?
- When will tennis be included in PE class or after school activities?
Mini tennis will be starting in the ES
Future inclusion in class/activities

40. Q: 課程的延續性, 應是全年規劃, 增加多樣化選擇. 例如: 體育類, 除了每季各一個主題之外, 可
以增加球類項目; 音樂藝術類: 如合唱團; 科學類: 如 Robotics; 設計類…
- The continuity of classes should be scheduled throughout the year, and they should
also increase in diversity, such as adding more different sports in athletics, choir in
music, or robotics and design in science.

41. Q: 聘請外來師資, 參與者付費。
- We can hire expertise staff to teach in different fields, and those who attend can pay
the fee.
Currently being reviewed by Admin Team.

42. Q: 開放 MS, ES 社團申請, 集結共同興趣學生和家長, 一起學習成長。
- Open sign ups for clubs to middle school and elementary school, thereby attracting
parents and students with common interests and promote learning and growth.
Possibility

43. Q: 建議提供更多有關 Coding courses 程式設計課程 for MS
- Suggest opening up more courses relating to coding and programming for middle
school students.
Yes, we are investigating options.

44. 建議學校可以更積極鼓勵並帶領學生參與國際性會議或比賽 ; 又或者可以鼓勵並指導有興趣的同學參與台
灣每年舉辦的全國中小學科學展覽會 (國立台灣科學教育館 中小科展)
- Suggest that the school to actively encourage and lead students to participate in international
conferences and competitions, or promote and guide them to take part in the national science
competition/exhibition held annually in Taiwan for elementary and middle schools.
We are investigating opportunities for our students…
Currently:
● World Scholar's Cup (31)
● Model United Nations (15-20)

45. MS 學生花太多時間在聊天室 , 學校有何建議?
- Middle school students spent too much time in chat rooms, does school have any suggestions?
● Do adults/parents model the appropriate behavior?
● What is the agreement at the dinner table?
● Google Chat has been disabled for 6th & 7th Grade Students. 8th Grade has
the Chat function available. How can we help students learn to live
responsibly with these distractions? It can be disabled on Gmail.

46. ● Laptop use at the Dining Table
● Set a timer
● Create an incentive program. If students stay
within the limited time, they are rewarded with
time with the parents to go see a movie, go to the
park, other incentive agreed upon by both student
and parent.
● Students should not have their their devices when
they go to bed/in their private rooms (if possible).

47. Being balanced in
Middle School
https://youtu.be/GneBmmCS5-o

48. IB Learner
Profile
積極探究
知識淵博
善於交流
勤於思考
堅持原則
胸襟開闊
關愛他人
及時反思
勇於嘗試
均衡發展

49. Thank you.
Questions? Write or set-up a conference with the teacher or dimanishi@kas.tw
Future NWEA MAP Parent Session