News from our Elementary Principal, Ben Voborsky
Hello GAA Community,
The GAA Elementary Student Council led a fantastic Community Share this morning and shared why they are excited about student council. The members also shared a short video from Kid President:
Top 20 things you should say more often!
Our student council members also highlighted that November is Mother Tongue month and to be on the lookout for many activities. Eowyn Crisfield was back again at GAA this week working with groups of students, teachers, and parents. Eowyn provides professional development around Bilingualism in education and Mother Tongue Programming. This is her second visit to GAA. With 94 nationalities, she is a great person to guide one component of learning for our community.
Please remember as the season changes to send your student to school in the approved GAA Sweater. You can find GAA uniform guidelines on page 14-15 in the Elementary Community Handbook If you have any questions please contact Ms. Naseera Timm – Holland at [email protected].
As the weather also changes, some of our students are coming down with colds and flu like symptoms. Please keep your child at home if they are sick and must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. If you are unsure, please check in with the GAA school nurse before going to your classroom in the morning. Guidance can be found on p. 24 in the Elementary Community Handbook. Teachers are being very diligent about our students washing their hands and coughing into their arm appropriately. Ask your child how they are keeping germ free at school.
Three Way (student-parent-teacher) Conference scheduling went live today. Please schedule your conference and bring your child. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday or Thursday!
Have a great weekend with your family,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
The GAA Elementary Student Council led a fantastic Community Share this morning and shared why they are excited about student council. The members also shared a short video from Kid President:
Top 20 things you should say more often!
Our student council members also highlighted that November is Mother Tongue month and to be on the lookout for many activities. Eowyn Crisfield was back again at GAA this week working with groups of students, teachers, and parents. Eowyn provides professional development around Bilingualism in education and Mother Tongue Programming. This is her second visit to GAA. With 94 nationalities, she is a great person to guide one component of learning for our community.
Please remember as the season changes to send your student to school in the approved GAA Sweater. You can find GAA uniform guidelines on page 14-15 in the Elementary Community Handbook If you have any questions please contact Ms. Naseera Timm – Holland at [email protected].
As the weather also changes, some of our students are coming down with colds and flu like symptoms. Please keep your child at home if they are sick and must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. If you are unsure, please check in with the GAA school nurse before going to your classroom in the morning. Guidance can be found on p. 24 in the Elementary Community Handbook. Teachers are being very diligent about our students washing their hands and coughing into their arm appropriately. Ask your child how they are keeping germ free at school.
Three Way (student-parent-teacher) Conference scheduling went live today. Please schedule your conference and bring your child. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday or Thursday!
Have a great weekend with your family,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
From our Elementary Vice Principal, Sofia Lyons
Dear Parents
The month of November has been dedicated as a Mother Tongue Awareness month here at GAA. A group of teachers from our secondary and elementary school have been meeting to discuss ideas to promote mother tongue awareness in November. Please look out for signage in different languages around the school. The signage names different spaces in different languages and the IB Learner Profile has been translated in Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean and Afrikaans.
The IB Learner Profile attributes will be shared in our GAAzette as of next week, so you and your family will be able to name the attributes in different languages.
Please could we ask you to get involved in this campaign as much as you can. We would love for you to get in touch with our Elementary PYP library teacher, Ms Kerryn Tucker and organise to read a book in your first language to your child’s class.
I have attached an article called the Importance of Mother Tongue Literacy in your Child’s Education. It is a great read and details ways you can support your child with their language development too.
Here are some other ways we are raising mother tongue awareness this month at school:
If you have any other ideas of how we can raise awareness of Mother Tongue this month, please get in touch with your child’s classroom teacher and pass on your ideas.
With gratitude.
Sofia Lyons
Elementary Vice Principal
The month of November has been dedicated as a Mother Tongue Awareness month here at GAA. A group of teachers from our secondary and elementary school have been meeting to discuss ideas to promote mother tongue awareness in November. Please look out for signage in different languages around the school. The signage names different spaces in different languages and the IB Learner Profile has been translated in Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean and Afrikaans.
The IB Learner Profile attributes will be shared in our GAAzette as of next week, so you and your family will be able to name the attributes in different languages.
Please could we ask you to get involved in this campaign as much as you can. We would love for you to get in touch with our Elementary PYP library teacher, Ms Kerryn Tucker and organise to read a book in your first language to your child’s class.
I have attached an article called the Importance of Mother Tongue Literacy in your Child’s Education. It is a great read and details ways you can support your child with their language development too.
Here are some other ways we are raising mother tongue awareness this month at school:
- Students and teachers will be encouraged to sing happy birthday in different languages
- Sharing IB video clips in different languages in the weekly GAAzette
- International book donation drive led by our Elementary PYP library teacher
- Posting more articles in the weekly GAAzette
- Mother tongue Informational email will be sent by Fabiana, our Mother Tongue Programme ASA Organiser, with ideas to support Mother tongue at home (Arabic, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, French, Spanish)
- In KG & Elementary School our students will be encouraged to sing Happy Birthday in different languages
- Students will be encouraged to bring books in from home to read to their classmates
- Students will read books in their mother tongue with younger and older students (Big Brother, Little Sister CAS activity)
If you have any other ideas of how we can raise awareness of Mother Tongue this month, please get in touch with your child’s classroom teacher and pass on your ideas.
With gratitude.
Sofia Lyons
Elementary Vice Principal
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Dear Families,
As a learning community, GAA values the cultural and linguistic diversity of its student body. Thusly, our aim is to provide a supportive learning environment where the unique strengths and needs of each student are nurtured and developed. Our English Language Learners (ELL) Support Team, advances student’s English language acquisition, as well as, over-all academic development through an inclusive, co-teaching model.
English Language Learners (ELL) Support at GAA allows students to access the English language, to gain life-long learning skills and prepare themselves for higher education. With the collaboration of recognized international accrediting agencies, the curriculum is reviewed regularly to reflect current pedagogical research and best practices of international schools, for language instruction. As an English-medium school, GAA facilitates the attainment of English proficiency by students whose native language is not English while at the same time encouraging the learning of other foreign languages, as well as maintenance of students’ mother tongue. Instructors and staff are dedicated to these goals, and are continuously developing their knowledge, skills, and abilities accordingly.
GAA employs an inclusive, co-teaching instructional model in which the classroom teacher and ELL Support Specialist work together to plan and deliver instruction. Educators collaborate to facilitate students’ access to the PYP curriculum and Units of Inquiry, as well as all other curriculum areas. The ELL Support team works in conjunction with homeroom teachers gathering data surrounding student needs and planning and teaching curriculum content that is appropriately differentiated for individual students.
Our inclusion model allows students to:
• Participate as equally as possible in educational opportunities
• Make effective academic progress
• Contribute positively to their local and international communities
• Develop and maintain their physical, mental, social, and emotional health
• Transition to further educational and vocational opportunities beyond school
• Develop thinking and analytical skills that will allow them to be creative, compassionate, lifelong learners
The ELL Support Team has been establishing relationships with students in order to build the foundation for a successful year of learning! We look forward to meeting parents during the November conferences to discuss their child’s English language acquisition progress, and how we can work together as a team to meet their child’s individual needs. If you would like to speak your child’s ELL Support Teacher please feel free to contact them directly.
Sincerely,
The Elementary English Language Learning Support Team
As a learning community, GAA values the cultural and linguistic diversity of its student body. Thusly, our aim is to provide a supportive learning environment where the unique strengths and needs of each student are nurtured and developed. Our English Language Learners (ELL) Support Team, advances student’s English language acquisition, as well as, over-all academic development through an inclusive, co-teaching model.
English Language Learners (ELL) Support at GAA allows students to access the English language, to gain life-long learning skills and prepare themselves for higher education. With the collaboration of recognized international accrediting agencies, the curriculum is reviewed regularly to reflect current pedagogical research and best practices of international schools, for language instruction. As an English-medium school, GAA facilitates the attainment of English proficiency by students whose native language is not English while at the same time encouraging the learning of other foreign languages, as well as maintenance of students’ mother tongue. Instructors and staff are dedicated to these goals, and are continuously developing their knowledge, skills, and abilities accordingly.
GAA employs an inclusive, co-teaching instructional model in which the classroom teacher and ELL Support Specialist work together to plan and deliver instruction. Educators collaborate to facilitate students’ access to the PYP curriculum and Units of Inquiry, as well as all other curriculum areas. The ELL Support team works in conjunction with homeroom teachers gathering data surrounding student needs and planning and teaching curriculum content that is appropriately differentiated for individual students.
Our inclusion model allows students to:
• Participate as equally as possible in educational opportunities
• Make effective academic progress
• Contribute positively to their local and international communities
• Develop and maintain their physical, mental, social, and emotional health
• Transition to further educational and vocational opportunities beyond school
• Develop thinking and analytical skills that will allow them to be creative, compassionate, lifelong learners
The ELL Support Team has been establishing relationships with students in order to build the foundation for a successful year of learning! We look forward to meeting parents during the November conferences to discuss their child’s English language acquisition progress, and how we can work together as a team to meet their child’s individual needs. If you would like to speak your child’s ELL Support Teacher please feel free to contact them directly.
Sincerely,
The Elementary English Language Learning Support Team
GRADE 1
Grade 1B just completed their narrative writing unit. Many students were very reluctant in the beginning of the year and in fact, I heard many students say…."but, I don’t know how to write.” Slowly, they began to see how they, even at 5 or 6 years old could become a writer. The students worked really hard bringing small moments of their lives to LIFE. They enjoyed working with writing buddies in class the most! Their buddies gave them suggestions of how to best make their story come to life. When they finished, they had 2 buddies help them edit their writing too! It was amazing to see the independence of each student and the pride that came with the evolvement of their story. We are all now published writers in 1B! What an accomplishment!
GRADE 4
In 4A, we have been inquiring into how science has evolved over time and shapes our world. In doing this, we have opened our minds to see that innovation is not only invention, but discovery and creation. As Nasser wrote, “4A has also been learning about scientific ideas through the past […] and now bring [to] the future.” When asked how we can grow as learners, Sebastian stated that we can learn by “researching, adding more detail and getting more information.” —what a great thinker!
Last week, we had visitors, Mr. and Mrs. Gellatly, who came in to talk about the Wheel-Trans bus and how the development of that service is an innovation that has helped many people with disabilities throughout Toronto, Canada. We used our creativity and thinking skills to come up with solutions to possible problems faced by Wheel-Trans drivers, such as using more harnesses, applying Wheel-Trans’ tools to airplanes, and using a stronger metal to better protect the bus in case of accidents. Our discussion gave Mr. Gellatly some ideas to take back to the Toronto Transit Commission. It was clear that 4A is exceptional when it comes to thinking about safety!
We have also been harnessing our inner scientists by applying DeBono’s 6 Thinking Hats to look at innovations from various perspectives. In our usual fashion, 4A students have been taking action by researching into their own inquiries, picking up books to guide their thinking, and sharing ideas with their peers (and Ms. G.!) Although we are only a few weeks into this unit, I believe we will continue to learn and do great things!
Last week, we had visitors, Mr. and Mrs. Gellatly, who came in to talk about the Wheel-Trans bus and how the development of that service is an innovation that has helped many people with disabilities throughout Toronto, Canada. We used our creativity and thinking skills to come up with solutions to possible problems faced by Wheel-Trans drivers, such as using more harnesses, applying Wheel-Trans’ tools to airplanes, and using a stronger metal to better protect the bus in case of accidents. Our discussion gave Mr. Gellatly some ideas to take back to the Toronto Transit Commission. It was clear that 4A is exceptional when it comes to thinking about safety!
We have also been harnessing our inner scientists by applying DeBono’s 6 Thinking Hats to look at innovations from various perspectives. In our usual fashion, 4A students have been taking action by researching into their own inquiries, picking up books to guide their thinking, and sharing ideas with their peers (and Ms. G.!) Although we are only a few weeks into this unit, I believe we will continue to learn and do great things!
GRADE 5
Grade 5 has just finished a fantastic unit on Mindfulness. We spent time exploring what mindfulness means and we were lucky enough to have Ms. Elissa Ballard spend time with all grade 5 classes teaching the students some self- awareness and breathing techniques, as well as yoga! We really reflected back into how we deal with distractions and stress, and explored ways to find balance in our busy lives. We also researched into the parts of the brain and what they do. Comparing the brain and mindfulness is where we really dove into some interesting debates. Is one more important than the other? Ask a grade 5 to explain!
Our summative assessment took all our experiences from the unit and put it into a Bitstrips comic. We communicated our knowledge about mindfulness, the brain, and use of figurative language in a fun, entertaining story using our technology skills. We really started our year off with a BANG, which is an example of onomatopoeia from our lessons on figurative language. If you don’t know what that is, ask a grade 5! We are always willing to share what we have learned!
Our summative assessment took all our experiences from the unit and put it into a Bitstrips comic. We communicated our knowledge about mindfulness, the brain, and use of figurative language in a fun, entertaining story using our technology skills. We really started our year off with a BANG, which is an example of onomatopoeia from our lessons on figurative language. If you don’t know what that is, ask a grade 5! We are always willing to share what we have learned!
News from our KG Vice Principal, Sally Potts
It has been another wonderful week in KG! On Wednesday, we celebrated Flag Day. Thank you to our Arabic teachers for teaching our KG students the national anthem. It was amazing to hear them all sing it so proudly at noon with the rest of the school. Abdullah M from KG2C brought in a large flag that some of our classes gathered around on the playground.
This week our school hosted inspectors from ADEC. They visited many of our Kindergarten classes and had a chance to celebrate the learning that is taking place. Our students were asked by the inspectors what they were learning and why they were learning it. I am proud to say that our students were able to answer the questions.
We hosted an ELL speaker this week who echoed our strong belief that mother tongue must still be spoken in the home. Eowyn Crisfield spoke about the importance of keeping your original language strong in your home. Research shows that this will help a child learn a second language more easily. Thank you to all the parents who joined the presentations this week.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the parent community for being so positive and supportive of our school. The team of school and home working together contributes to great outcomes for our students.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Sally
This week our school hosted inspectors from ADEC. They visited many of our Kindergarten classes and had a chance to celebrate the learning that is taking place. Our students were asked by the inspectors what they were learning and why they were learning it. I am proud to say that our students were able to answer the questions.
We hosted an ELL speaker this week who echoed our strong belief that mother tongue must still be spoken in the home. Eowyn Crisfield spoke about the importance of keeping your original language strong in your home. Research shows that this will help a child learn a second language more easily. Thank you to all the parents who joined the presentations this week.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the parent community for being so positive and supportive of our school. The team of school and home working together contributes to great outcomes for our students.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Sally
KG CORNER
KG1G went on their first field trip!! Here’s a look at the kiddos on their bus ride to the Abu Dhabi Theater to see “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who”!!
KG1H
Hello Everyone!
It has been another few busy weeks in KG1. We finished off our unit based around our unit of inquiry of ‘Who we are’. This week we started our new unit with the unit of inquiry of ‘How we express ourselves’. We are learning all the ways that we can express ourselves and this week we are exploring our expression through paint. We are also focused on pattern and our sense of smell. We are having great fun being risk takers and communicators in our centers engaging in all the fun activities based around these explorations.
Hello Everyone!
It has been another few busy weeks in KG1. We finished off our unit based around our unit of inquiry of ‘Who we are’. This week we started our new unit with the unit of inquiry of ‘How we express ourselves’. We are learning all the ways that we can express ourselves and this week we are exploring our expression through paint. We are also focused on pattern and our sense of smell. We are having great fun being risk takers and communicators in our centers engaging in all the fun activities based around these explorations.
An exciting few weeks we have had! KG1I have had their first field trip and we have begun our new unit ‘how we express ourselves’.
KG2
What a wonderful community of learners we have in Kg2-G! We finished up our first unit of inquiry last week, and now we are in our second unit, How We Organise Our Selves. In the pictures you will see kg-2g students hard at work during math centers. Time flies when you have this much fun!
What a wonderful community of learners we have in Kg2-G! We finished up our first unit of inquiry last week, and now we are in our second unit, How We Organise Our Selves. In the pictures you will see kg-2g students hard at work during math centers. Time flies when you have this much fun!