“Play” Science, “Enjoy” Humanities | Xiehe Cross-campus Inquiry and Science Teaching and Learning Event

More than 20 Chinese and foreign teachers from six different SUIS schools gathered at SUIS Wuxi on 12 March to join the teaching and learning event based on lesson observation.

This event, which started in 2016, is usually carried out 3-4 times per school year, aiming to promote the professional growth of Chinese and foreign teachers by building a platform for cross-campus interaction.

“Play” Science with Hands and Minds-on Activity

The host school, SUIS Wuxi, opened two co-taught lessons, one in science and the other in thematic inquiry. In Grade 1 science lesson, which was hands-on, students worked in groups to develop co-operation skills and simple engineering thinking as they learned to make clay, understood the process, perceived the properties of clay, and familiarised themselves with the composition of the materials. They had a rare opportunity to play with the “dirty” mud that their parents thought was dirty, and they exchanged ideas with their teachers (Ms Winnie and Mr Whitehouse ) with great joy and satisfaction.

“Having Fun” in the Humanities with Authentic Learning

The Grade 5’s thematic inquiry lesson, led by their teachers (Ms Julia and Mr Brien), centred on the connection between the landform of Asian countries and their famous landmarks. The design of the Wuxi Inquiry Curriculum (Humanities Domain) is based on the children’s cognitive growth patterns. Starting from self-exploration, learning about the school, the surrounding community, their city, their country, Asia to the whole world. In today’s lesson, driven by the questions, the students tried to find answers with a map of Asia. And then worked in groups to make research and solve problems by using I-pads on site.

Sticking to the Original Intent of Student-Centered Education

The feedback session was open to all. What is a good lesson? There is no standard answer. However, the common highlight of today’s two lessons was the “‌relaxation”, student-centred approach, which allowed them to enjoy learning in a comfortable atmosphere.

Nowadays education is “inwardly competitive” to the point of deformation, SUIS Wuxi still sticks to its original intent of education and pace, and let authentic learning happens naturally. This willingness to show off the “authentic” regular classes is much more valuable than the rehearsed, performative lessons.