Jingumae International Exchange School (JIES) held its annual numeracy and science week during the first week of January. The children were mixed into their “suisha” groups (mixed age and ability groups) and enjoyed a week full of interesting and enjoyable activities. These included group numeracy challenges like building towers to support raw eggs, and numeracy and science jeopardy.
The whole-school topic was racecars. Each grade had to work on a different aspect of racecar design such as wheels and axels, body shapes, lightweight materials, gradients and surface friction of ramps, and bodywork. On the final day, the children shared their newfound knowledge with their suisha group and worked together to build a racecar and ramp. The winning group was the one whose car travelled the furthest and looked the “coolest.” Overall, the week was a great success and everyone is looking forward to next month’s literacy week. — KENAN ULU
