Grade Threes have been working on the Unit of Inquiry of Our Place In The World. The Physical Education subject integrated this Unit under the strand of Adventure Challenge. During the lessons, pupils experienced activities, such as treasure hunt games, trust games, cross-country, and orienteering, that had a focus on working through the concepts of teamwork, trust, and communication skills.

As part of their final assessment, on Sunday the 30th of October, pupils and staff travelled to Aspire Park, where four groups completed a different Orienteering Course according to geographical location in the Park. The courses were defined as “North Course”, “East Course”, “South Course”, and “West Course”, and pupils answered geographic questions in relation to their location, “our place in the World”.

On Sunday, the 17th of April, Grade 2 classes travelled to Aspire Park. During the current Physical Education Unit of Inquiry of Adventure Challenge, taught by Ms. Dalila Rodrigues and Mr. Eduardo Cary, pupils have been learning about Orienteering. There are several methods of travel in Orienteering sports. During this Unit, the Physical Education lessons were taught with an interdisciplinary approach with the Unif of Inquiry of SOS Earth. Highlighting the need to be aware, and to look after, both human and natural resources, pupils learned about a sport that allows people to navegate in unfamiliar terrains whistle interacting with Nature. This activity was well timed, as it happened on the same week of the worldwide event of Earth Day, on the 22nd of April.

Pupils completed their Orienteering course, divided in five groups, accompanied by a teacher. Both pupils and staff had a chance to explore and play in the fantastic Aspire Park. We were also very pleased with the weather conditions on the day, as it was warm but, not hot. Throughout the course pupils were concious of some human disposals, such as water bottle caps left around the Park. Responsible pupils took action and collected those, either placing them in the several litter bins available in the Park or, by taking them back to SEK Qatar for recycling.

Pupils also had a chance to observe how the Park utilises one of the most important sources of renewable energy (i.e., the Sun), by having solar panels around its lake in order to produce electricity.

In their own words, pupils reported what they enjoyed doing and seeing in this field trip: “Water bridge and running down the hill.”, “We enjoyed exercising.”, “When we went under the water. And, when we saw a big TV.”, “The Nature and the water bridge! The view. The tree trunk litter bins.”, “We loved to explore the park. (…) see the baby ducks.”, “I enjoyed having the pic nic, going around Aspire Park. Also, going on top of the hills and seeing Aspire Park.”, “Enjoyed rolling down the hills.”, “It was very good fun to find the check points.”.

When asked “What choices can people make to keep this Park clean?”, pupils wrote: “By putting trash in the bin, and out of the water.”, “Do not put the garbage on the grass or, anywhere.”, “Stop throwing rubbish on the ground. And also, if they find rubbish on the floor they have to remove it.”, “Make posters that say not to throw garbage on the floor.”, “People plant more and more plants and trees so it gets really beautiful.”, “Throw the trash in the rubbish bins provided. If people see trash they can throw it in the rubbish bin.”.

Take 2 minutes of your time to watch this video by Conservation International with the title: “Nature Is Speaking – Julia Roberts is Mother Nature | Conservation International (CI)”

See below some photographs of the day.

As part of the Physical Education final assessment on the integrated Unit of Inquiry on “Our Place In The World”, Grade 3 pupils started this year’s Academic Year doing Adventure Challenge. Over the course of the last six weeks, pupils learnt about Cross-country and Orienteering in the city. Pupils learnt techniques of how to read maps, and how to rotate maps in relation to details observed around them.

During the Adventure Challenge activities with a focus on goal setting, causation, responsibility, and teamwork, pupils improved their communication skills and individual responsibilities when working as part of a team.

On Tuesday the 27th of October, Grade 3 pupils did their Orienteering Course in Aspire Park. This experience facilitated pupils’ understanding on how Orienteering in the City varies from Orienteering in a more natural terrain.

Thirty-four pupils were split into four groups, and completed the Orienteering Course A or B. Throughout the course, composed of ten check-points, pupils had to respond to questions in reference to details they could observe on the landscape. On two check-points pupils had a chance to exercise using the gymnasium equipment available at Aspire Park.

Despite the heat, pupils enjoyed the outdoors and natural setting of their P.E. activity. In their own words, pupils reported to have enjoyed: “The fun thing was finding the ‘ckeck marks’.”; “We had lots of fun when we played on the sports equipment.”; “I could read the map and rotate.”; “It was very fun because, we rolled down the hill.”; “My favourite part was the C.P. number 5 because, it was fun counting meters from the TV to the bench.”; “I really liked when we were doing exercise.”