Exploring ‘Where We Are in Place and Time’: Grade 1 Students Learn Public Places at the Supermarket

In one of the Units of Inquiry, Where We Are in Place and Time, our Grade 1 students have been diving into the world of public places. Primary Co-Teacher Ms. Nindya Dewisari shares how our young learners moved beyond the classroom to explore the spaces we visit in our daily lives, discovering how these locations support our needs and connect us to our local community.

To bring this concept to life, the students explored the concept of public places through a familiar and meaningful activity, such as shopping at a supermarket.

Learning Through Real Life Experiences

For many students, the supermarket is a place they visit regularly with their families. By using this real life context, the school helps them make strong connections between their personal experiences and their academic learning. Through role play, discussions, and visual exploration, students discovered:

• The essence of public spaces: understanding what a supermarket is and why it serves the community.
• Organisational systems: exploring different sections like the fruit stalls, aisles, and the cashier area.
• Maths in the real world: identifying the various shapes and attributes of items sold on the shelves.
• Shared responsibility: practising expected behaviours like waiting in line, using polite language, and respecting shared spaces.

One student captured the purpose of the trip, sharing: “We go to the supermarket to buy food, so people can eat at home.”

Developing Skills and Character

This experience was a fantastic way to develop Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills that will stay with students forever, such as:

• Social skills: cooperating, taking turns, and role playing different roles.
• Communication skills: asking questions, naming items, and expressing needs politely.
• Self management skills: following rules and routines in a shared space.

The students also lived out the IB Learner Profile attributes. They became communicators as they interacted with peers, knowledgeable as they identified the purpose of the supermarket, and caring as they showed respect for the people around them.

Building Understanding and Taking Action

Through this inquiry, students realised that public places are shared by many people and require responsibility from everyone. They are now beginning to connect these lessons to other important spaces like parks, libraries, and hospitals.

As one student wisely concluded: “All public places have rules so everyone feels safe.”

By understanding where they are in place and time, our Grade 1 students are empowered to become responsible, thoughtful, and active members of their community.

BINUS SCHOOL Surabaya is committed to providing the best international learning environment in Surabaya, East Java, with a high quality curriculum and internationally qualified teachers, from Early Years through to the Secondary Programme. BINUS SCHOOL Surabaya empowers the future with digital excellence, personalised learning experiences, and a strong focus on student wellbeing.