SES Blog
Piece by Piece: Building Metacognition with Tangrams
Surabaya, Indonesia – At Surabaya European School, learning is designed to spark curiosity, encourage reflection, and empower students to think about how they learn. A wonderful example of this approach can be seen in Tangram-based activities, where students explore spatial perception while strengthening their metacognitive skills.
Much like solving a puzzle, Tangram learning is not just about getting the “right answer” – it is about trying strategies, reflecting on choices, and finding new ways to solve problems. This balance of play and reflection perfectly complements the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which places metacognition at the heart of its learning goals.
What Are Tangrams?
Tangrams are an ancient Chinese puzzle consisting of seven geometric shapes that can be rearranged to form countless figures. While they may seem simple at first, Tangrams challenge students to visualise, problem-solve, and think creatively. At SES, these puzzles are used not only to reinforce mathematical concepts but also to nurture patience, resilience, and flexible thinking – skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Metacognition in Action
During Tangram sessions, students are encouraged to reflect on their thinking process. Teachers prompt them with questions such as: What strategy are you using? Could you try a different way? What did you learn from this attempt? By pausing to think about their thinking, students strengthen self-awareness and independence – key elements of IPC’s vision for active, reflective students.
Personal Learning Goals
Tangram activities support IPC’s personal learning goals by helping students develop resilience, adaptability, and enquiry skills. Students quickly realise that success is not always immediate; sometimes a piece does not fit, and persistence is required. This process encourages them to stay curious, experiment with solutions, and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth.
Collaboration and Creativity
Although Tangram puzzles can be solved individually, at SES they also become opportunities for teamwork. Students share strategies, compare solutions, and learn from one another’s approaches. This collaborative spirit not only strengthens communication but also sparks creativity, as students invent new shapes and figures beyond the traditional puzzles.
International-Mindedness and Lifelong Skills
The IPC emphasises international-mindedness and real-world connections. With Tangrams, students experience how a puzzle from another culture can enhance their own learning journey. They also acquire lifelong skills: problem-solving, reflection, and creative thinking – abilities that will serve them well in school and beyond.
The Tangram sessions at Surabaya European School exemplify how mathematics, creativity, and metacognition can come together in a joyful and meaningful way. By embedding these activities within the principles of the International Primary Curriculum, SES ensures that students do more than solve puzzles – they build confidence, deepen understanding, and learn how to think about their thinking.
Footloose Prom Night: A Celebration of Youth, Friendship, and Freedom
The Footloose Prom Night at Surabaya European School was not just an evening of dancing; it was a carefully woven tapestry of moments — laughter, reflection, and pure joy. From elegant dinners to heartfelt conversations, from energetic games to unrestrained dancing, the night was filled with magic at every turn.
A Warm Welcome and Dinner
The celebration began with a warm and elegant dinner. The venue sparkled with lights and decorations that set a festive yet classy atmosphere. Students dressed in their finest gowns and suits, took their seats at beautifully arranged tables. Conversations flowed as plates were filled, and laughter rang out as friends exchanged stories from their school days. It was not just about the food, but about the shared moments of connection — the quiet smiles, the inside jokes, and the memories that this night would be one to remember. Dinner created the perfect balance of elegance and comfort, easing everyone into the evening ahead.
Reflections from the Graduates
After dinner, attention turned to the Year 12 graduates. A series of interviews allowed them to share their reflections on their school journey — from the challenges they faced, to the friendships they had built, to the dreams they were about to pursue. Their words were filled with warmth and gratitude, leaving many of the younger students inspired and hopeful about their own futures. Hearing the graduates speak was like passing a torch — a reminder that education is not just about lessons in the classroom, but about growing as individuals. The moment added a touch of sentimentality and pride, grounding the night in something meaningful.
The Energy of Games and Quizzes
With emotions running high, it was time to shift the energy — and what better way than with games and quizzes? The excitement was contagious as teams competed with wit and enthusiasm. The quiz questions brought out laughter, cheers, and playful debates, while the games added a layer of friendly competition. Every round seemed to bring the students closer together, strengthening bonds and igniting school spirit. It wasn’t about winning or losing — it was about being part of the fun, and celebrating the joy of simply being together.
Voices United in Song
As the evening continued, the spotlight turned to music — not from a performer on stage, but from the students themselves. A lively song relay game had everyone singing along to favourite tunes, with each group picking up right where the last had left off. The room quickly filled with voices — some loud, some off-key, but all equally enthusiastic. Students swayed, clapped, and laughed through the songs, showing just how music can unite people in the simplest, most joyful way. It was a moment of togetherness, a reminder that the best performances come when hearts are light and voices are free.
The Dance Floor Comes Alive
Then came the part everyone had been waiting for: the dance floor. As the lights dimmed and the music turned up, students flooded the floor with energy that could not be contained. Crowns and sashes sparkled under the lights as prom kings and queens led the way, but soon everyone was caught up in the rhythm. Friends pulled each other into circles, laughter and applause filled the air, and every move was a celebration of freedom and fun. In true Footloose style, there were no rules — just the joy of letting go, dancing without hesitation, and celebrating life in the moment.
An Evening to Remember
By the end of the night, it was clear that Prom Night had been more than just a school event. It was a celebration of youth, of friendships that would last long after graduation, and of memories that would be carried forward into the future. From the thoughtful reflections to the playful games, from the shared songs to the unrestrained dancing, every part of the evening came together in harmony.
The Footloose Prom Night at Surabaya European School will be remembered not only for its glamour and excitement, but for the spirit of togetherness it celebrated. It was a night of freedom, laughter, and friendship — and the perfect way to close one chapter and begin another.
Week 11 and 12
Dear Parents,
This week, we had a special visit from a team of dentists. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Amy’s parents for making this possible. The engaging presentation about dental health was enjoyed by all the children. The dentist team also checked the children’s teeth and shared practical tips on how to keep them healthy.
Halloween week was filled with engaging activities that helped us learn about the traditions and ways of celebrating Halloween, accompanied by enjoyable stories. In the Montessori classroom, we integrated various areas of learning into this celebration. The children enjoyed engaging in Halloween themed activities such as threading, tweezing, and sorting beads. In Sensorial, they explored the sensory bucket, searching for little Halloween trinkets while feeling the texture of the grains in their hands. In Maths, they counted small pumpkins, and in Language, they read different cards related to Halloween.
The much-anticipated Halloween Dress-Up Day arrived at the end of the week, and the children eagerly participated in the parade and trick-or-treat activities, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere. We concluded the week with a captivating oil and water science experiment, where the children observed the formation of colourful patterns in the water.
To conclude our unit on Our Five Senses, we explored the different parts of the ear and learned how we perceive various sounds. The children were introduced to the Honey Bear Game, which encouraged them to listen attentively to the sound of a bell. We also discussed people with hearing loss and how they communicate with one another. Using musical instruments, the children distinguished between loud and soft sounds, deepening their understanding of hearing. To further reinforce this concept, we went on a Sound Walk around the school and gazebo area, and played an engaging game called What’s That Sound?
We would also like to thank all parents who have attended the Parent Lunch Visit. It was a meaningful opportunity for the children to demonstrate their growing independence, from serving lunch to cleaning up afterwards.
Important Dates Semester 1
27 Nov : Montessori ‘Peace Performance’ 11:30 am
12 Dec : School finishes 12pm
13 Dec – 5 Jan : School Holidays
Year 1 additional learning covered – Week11 and 12
Phonics
To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/
Some children are beginning to learn about alternative sounds such as /ee/ can also be written with ‘ea’.
To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back.
Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences. Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.
Language / Literacy– Grammar analysis
We are continuing to learn what a sentence is made of: an article, a noun,an adjective,a verb, a preposition, a conjunction.
We looked more closely at the function of articles and nouns in sentences. Using the theme of Halloween and the farm animals, we built and wrote sentences making sure we understood the function of ‘nouns’ and ‘articles’.
Maths – Time
The children were introduced to the concept of Time through various games such as seeing how many times we can write our names on a white board within a minute.
We learned the names for the days of the week as well as the months of the year.
What is the time? The children created their own paper plate clocks and are learning how to tell the time to the hour.
Kind regards,
Montessori Team
