Schools

Charter Oak Students Showcase IB Work Through 'Inquiry Gallery'

Students at West Hartford's Charter Oak International Academy recently held a celebration of some of their International Baccalaureate projects.

The Charter Oak International Academy community recently celebrated the work of students in all grades, including Pre-K, at the "Inquiry Gallery" held to showcase the "process and product" created through the elementary school's International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

Charter Oak gained accreditation as an IB school two years ago, and follows a curriculum with an international focus based on the six IB transdisciplinary themes of: "Who We Are, Where We Are in Place and Time, How We Express Ourselves, How the World Works, How We Organize Ourselves, and Sharing the Planet."

Every grade level follows an appropriately-focused IB curriculum based on the six units, and those that have already been completed were showcased at the April 11 celebration.

"We're also showing that everyone in the school is involved in the IB program," said IB Coordinator Jo-Ann Lizon. Even the school nurse was involved in sensory screenings. "It's not a program, it's really a philosophy and it pervades everything we do," she said.

Kindergarten teacher Emily Salerno's classroom was filled with the sounds of hammering as students and their families constructed bird houses, baskets, and pencil boxes with materials donated by Home Depot.

The project was tied into the classroom's study of global housing. "We've learned that the homes we live in depend on available resources and the culture," Salerno said.

Even though they are kindergartners, the students are learning, through an inquiry-based approach, that not only do each of their homes look different, but people throughout the world live in a variety of housing. 

Hands-on projects were conducted in other classrooms as well. Performances included percussionists, a string quartet, and a band performance. Fifth graders led a square dance, and artwork was exhibited in the auditorium for all to enjoy.

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