~ Precious Kubeka
KCFS Teacher
Welcome to the latest edition of the Kang Chiao Future Skills (KCFS) Spotlight! At Kang Chiao, our Grade 1 and 2 students are immersing themselves in the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through hands-on learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and creativity. This innovative program fosters essential skills like problem-solving and critical thinking - qualities that will serve our young learners throughout their academic journey.
What is KCFS?
KCFS is a forward-thinking program designed to nurture students' abilities in STEM through a project-based, interdisciplinary approach. It encourages young learners to explore, create, and tackle challenges in practical contexts. Through KCFS, students work on a variety of exciting, practical projects that bridge science, technology, engineering, and math. By fostering a solution-oriented environment, KCFS prepares students for the future and empowers them to become the inventors of tomorrow.
In KCFS, evaluations go beyond grades to reflect students’ learning processes. Our six-stage approach - Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve, and Present - guides students through projects and tracks their progress. For Grades 1-2, we assess workbooks, understanding of concepts, and teamwork, highlighting the importance of the learning process, not just the end result. This method encourages self-reflection, helping students identify areas for growth.
Grade 1 and 2 STEM Curriculum: Real-World Problem Solvers
In Grade 1, students explore the concept of biomimicry, learning how nature inspires human inventions. They discover examples like how the wings of birds influenced airplane designs and how the structure of beehives has shaped architectural ideas, helping students connect nature with technology. They study how ants, bees, mud daubers, and paper wasps organize their nests and apply this knowledge to create supply organizers that mimic the patterns of these insect nests. Additionally, they explore shapes by identifying and classifying 2D and 3D shapes, as well as investigating symmetry, vertices, and faces. Using this understanding of shapes, students design jungle gyms using straws and pipe cleaners. These hands-on activities establish a foundation for higher grade geometry lessons and help students view the world through a mathematical perspective.
In Grade 2, students explore simple machines such as pulleys, levers, and wheels. By constructing these machines, they learn how they simplify tasks and overcome daily difficulties. The equipment trolley project encourages students to design and build functional trolleys, fostering joint effort and the application of engineering concepts. They also investigate the properties of light through experiments on reflection, refraction, and color, sparking curiosity and providing a foundation in basic physical science. Students then use these principles to design a light maze, where they track the path of light from its source (a flashlight) to the target.
Empowering Future Innovators
KCFS is more than a STEM program; it’s a transformative learning experience. Through thoughtful evaluations, hands-on projects, and a focus on collaboration, we are nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers, critical problem solvers, and innovators. By preparing students with the tools to approach hurdles creatively, KCFS is empowering them to shape the future.
From the Editor
Connecting Learning to Real Life
國際處主任 賴國宜
In Kang Chiao Future Skills (KCFS), our second graders recently took on an exciting challenge: designing a cart using wheels and axles to help PE teachers move heavy sports equipment. As part of the project, students learned how wheels and axles reduce friction. Then they chose materials, sketched their designs, and worked in teams to build and test their cart models. This hands-on activity is a great example of how KCFS brings learning to life. Students didn't just study scientific and engineering concepts - they experienced how knowledge can solve real-world problems and make life easier.
In this edition, Ms. Kubeka, our lower-grade KCFS head teacher, shares how the teaching team uses STEAM principles to design engaging lessons. We would like to encourage you to talk to your child about their KCFS projects and explore ways to apply these ideas to everyday life. These conversations can inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning!
在閱讀本文之前，讓我們先來做個簡短的小問卷，您知道孩子每週哪一天有單字測驗嗎？哪一天進行文法小考？每週有哪些作業？何時要繳交？為了幫助孩子建立穩定的學習步調，我們的英文課程採取以「週」為單位的規劃方式，每週從單字教學展開，接著介紹閱讀或文法主題，最後延伸至專題探究或寫作工作坊。配合著這樣的節奏，每週會有固定的單字、文法或閱讀的作業或小考，幫助孩子穩定提升學習成效。然而，學習不僅僅是課堂的聆聽和參與，每日完成作業和按時複習也是提升學習效率的關鍵。誠摯推薦您閱讀課研組長Mr.Warmke的專文，深入了解我們如何規劃英文課程的進度與內容，並協助孩子在家建立自主規劃課業與複習的能力，透過養成每天按時完成作業和複習的習慣，逐漸把「認真學習」內化為理所應當的生活態度，當學習成為習慣，他們的學習表現自然會有顯著的進步。
盤古開天、后羿射日、嫦娥奔月等神話是大家耳熟能詳的經典故事，而西洋文學中，也有很多類似的神話傳說，這些奇幻故事不僅展現古人的生活智慧，還激發孩子的好奇心與創造力。四年級的孩子們以自身對周圍環境和大自然的觀察為起點，創作出屬於他們的神話故事，歡迎閱讀，欣賞孩子們的奇思妙想。