NUACHTÁN MIDDLE SCHOOL | November 2021

Thanks to everyone’s care and following the health protocol, we have managed to resume some activities such as the Day of the Dead and Halloween celebration. This year, our MS students demonstrated their creativity in the mask and door decoration horror costume contest. The photography club students, led by Prof. Jorge Victoria, screened their photographs representing the Day of the Dead and in the traditions and legends club along with M. Diana Baltazar shared the origins of our traditions. Likewise, from the art class with Miss Nadia Soto and the 7th and 8th grade students made our traditional ‘altar of the dead’, which in this school year was named «Popular Festivity», the festivals are related to the celebration, color and joy. Although these are dates to commemorate our dead, it is also essential to retake the joy that comes with exalting our traditions. The figures that make up the altar this year are pieces created by our students, which fill the space with texture, color and symbolism, without forgetting the traditional elements of a typical altar (flowers, candles, skulls, etc.)»

‘Fostering honesty, the campaign, ‘IF IT IS NOT YOURS, IT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE’ promotes that any valuable object found that is not their property, be delivered to the assistants of each level in order to deliver it to its owner.’ (CCE)

• Thanks for your honesty: Kira -7th grade-

ACADEMIC MATTERS

PAI | Approaches to learning in subjects

Martha Alicia Silva Lara | MYP Coordinator and IB Continuum Leader

At our next Parents Making a Difference IB meeting that will take place on November 24^th, at 6:00 p.m., we will talk about the approaches to learning in the different IB programs offered by Colegio Celta Internacional. So, in this space, I want to show you the perspectives of our teachers who teach different disciplines in the Middle Years Program (MYP) corresponding to the Middle School and Prepa Celta sections.

I hope you enjoy reading the contributions of our teachers about which skills in the approaches of learning are addressed in their subjects and how they are useful for them for a lifetime.

Professor Jesica Ibargüengoitia, tenth grade Visual Arts teacher

In this subject, students practice carefully observing their environment, not only physical things but also different situations to recognize problems, identify obstacles and challenges aimed at creative thinking, considering their ideas and those of others from different perspectives. They use brainstorming techniques, they look for alternatives to create groundbreaking solutions by opening their minds and boldly taking risks to play with ideas and experiment. On many occasions they apply knowledge from various subjects to generate creative products. Art is inclusive as it allows transferring, combining knowledge, understanding and skills to create. It allows them to make connections. They develop the creative cycle of research, action, reflection. Teamwork is usually common in the class practicing communication, organization and affective skills, demonstrating persistence, perseverance, patience and resilience.

Professor Carlos Cárdenas, Ninth Grade Mathematics teacher

One of the approaches in which we work in the subject is Critical thinking with the purpose of achieving in our students the reflection towards the resolution of problems or processes, maintaining an order in the development of these mathematical processes. Likewise, the communication approach is important for the class, allowing them to produce, organize and develop information that leads them to build hypotheses and apply resolution models, in the different activities carried out. The work on these two approaches is meaningful since it articulates and defines methods of interpretation and solution to models that can be solved mathematically, involving the student in learning to learn.

Professor Suleima Almaraz, History of Mexico teacher

I work with my students on research, thinking and communication skills explicitly, and implicitly highlighting social skills. In the subject, students are immersed in a process of deconstruction and reconstruction since, they begin to question themselves the daily practices and the social phenomena present in their context. In the same way, they develop processes of socialization and humanization that allow them to be empathetic with their environment. Finally, these skills allow them to weave the social structure of their learning community and to strengthen social relationships.  

Professor Daniel Salazar, Tenth Grade American Literature teacher

Literacy skills are essential for subjects such as American Literature where students will be working on writing a ‘short story’ during this period, always taking into account the social context. The learning approaches skills that are developed and strengthened during these types of activities are creative and critical thinking skills and especially communication skills where they learn to use different formats to communicate. As we know, language is a great social protagonist and our interactions occur through the use of language, which is why they become fundamental skills for everyone. I really like to lead our students to analysis, evaluation and questioning through reading from different perspectives; giving our students tools to face, understand, question and even transform the contexts in which we live. 

Professor Carlos Valdez, tenth grade American Literature teacher

In the class, thinking approaches such as critical thinking, reflection and communication skills are addressed to understand various messages, read and write different types of texts and form their own arguments orally and in writing. This helps them to be open-minded, empathetic people and allows them to express their ideas and thoughts in a way that is understood by others.  

IB (International Baccalaureate Organization). Principles to Practice 2014. (Available online at www.ibo.org ). Consultation: October 08, 2021

DEVELOPMENT OF OUR ADOLESCENTS

Francisco Eduardo Gallegos Juárez

Communication with adolescent children ‘A challenge?’

Today, in these pandemic times, when we are invited to spend more time with our daughters and adolescent sons, see them face-to-face and the simple act of talking or interacting with them seems an almost impossible task; however, it is the opposite.

A good intention or wish of parents is getting to know their children. What are your concerns, wishes, frustrations, desires, likes, dislikes, etc. One way to get to this point is through communication.

Communicating is the exchange of information that two or more people carry out verbally or non-verbally. Despite the barriers that communication may have, such as unclear or specific messages, language difficulties, among others; it is an activity that anyone at any age can do.

Communication can fall into two possible aspects, effective or ineffective. The reality is that, at certain times, we oscillate between one and the other. However, it is not a reason to blame you as a father or mother. The following recommendations can simply help you so that your communication results most of the time effectively and to improve over time the relationship with your adolescent son or daughter. It should be remembered that adolescence is a stage with many doubts that for him is difficult to understand and that sometimes it is enough for your son or daughter to know where they can go when feeling confused or upset.

Before recommending some suggestions, do not be mortified thinking that some specialty is needed to achieve better communication with your children. It is enough to do the following, according to the research and work carried out in the communication area:

• Listen: The success of all communication is not only how it is spoken, but also how it is heard. Pay attention to what your son or daughter tells you. Although it seems illogical, show interest and empathy to listen to what he is talking about, perhaps it’s too important to him or her what he/she is sharing. Avoid interrupting it, since it can cut off inspiration or sometimes even confidence.

• Communicate at their level: Use a language that they can easily understand. Avoid being far-fetched or repetitive with what you say.

• Ask questions: Ask him about what you need to find out about what he is talking about or you have questions, ask him. Avoid turning this into an examination.

• Express your opinion or ideas about it: Tell him your point of view of what he tells you in an assertive way, that is, tell him what you think without making him feel attacked. Be clear and direct, but again without attacking him or making him feel less. Avoid sarcasm or feelings of guilt on himself.

• Admit when you do not know something: We will not always be experts in everything. It is also worth recognizing when we do not know something and looking for the answer among all can be an experience that strengthens the coexistence with your son or daughter. Avoid lying.

• Give clear and complete explanations: If you are going to explain something to your son or daughter, your explanation the clearer and more complete the better, recognizing yourself as a parent, which is the most honest and sincere thing you can do. Don’t lose sight of the amount of information that is relevant at his age.

• Don’t deny their feelings: The first way to approach them is by showing them that their feelings will not be attacked, but on the contrary, they will be sought and listened to by you. If this part gets difficult for you, be empathetic, try to imagine and understand how he feels telling you what he is saying. That will give an idea of ​​how valuable what they are talking about is to your children.

Remember that sometimes it is not the words, but how we say them. This is what causes communication to flow or not.

Bibliography:

Psychopedagogy Area (2017) Effective communication with children: General strategies. Almazán European School. Madrid, Spain p.1-4

DATES TO KEEP IN MIND

• NOVEMBER 1st & 2nd – CLASS ADJOURN

• NOVEMBER 3rd to 9th – First Parent-teacher Conferences period

• NOVEMBER 5th – 1st period grades publishing

• NOVEMBER 12th – Administrative discharge (no classes)

• NOVEMBER 15th – CLASS ADJOURN

• NOVEMBER 18th – Literary Café (Hybrid)

• NOVEMBER 24th – ‘Parents Making a Difference’ – IBO

• NOVEMBER 26th – CTE | No classes