Celebrating Community: Grade 1 Puts Inquiry into Action
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What makes a community? How do we celebrate the different communities we belong to? These guiding questions have sparked a powerful inquiry for our Grade 1 students.
As they explored these concepts, their learning naturally shifted from understanding to action: How could they actively support and celebrate a community right here at ISP?
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Guided by their teacher, Liz Kennedy, the students identified a perfect opportunity: the cross-country meet being hosted at ISP. They decided to encourage the "athlete community" by taking real-world action.
Their inquiry truly came to life in the Wonder Lab, blending student agency with hands-on innovation. The Grade 1s began by creating hand-drawn designs for encouraging signs and, most excitingly, custom medals for the runners.
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Their project became a fantastic example of authentic, cross-campus collaboration. The students’ hand-drawn designs were digitised and brought to life by our Elementary Design and Technology Coach Amy Garrett utilising our new laser cutter (purchased thanks to the ISP Fund), which expertly etched and cut each unique medal from wood. The learning didn't stop there. With support from PYP Coordinator, Ashley Eames, the students then used the Wonder Lab's new sewing machines to meticulously sew the ribbons onto each medal, completing the entire process from concept to creation.
Last weekend, runners from across the region were met with supportive signs and awarded unique, student-designed medals - a powerful and tangible act of community building initiated entirely by our Grade 1 learners.
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The project's success has only sparked more action. The students channelled their enthusiasm into designing their very own community event: a Grade 1 Fun Run. For this, they designed and produced a new set of medals for their peers from both cardboard and wood.
This project is a perfect showcase of the ISP learning journey in action: student-led inquiry, innovative design, meaningful technology integration, and authentic action that strengthens our entire community.