News From the Elementary Vice Principal Josh Doubleday
Dear GAA community members,
It's been another great of week of learning in the Elementary school. I have been holding down the fort whilst Mr. Voborsky has been recruiting new teachers for the 2015/16 school year at the London recruitment fair. As our reputation grows, so does our pool of qualified and experience educators who are interested in working at our school.
This weekend some of our teachers will be attending a professional development workshop on our MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing in order to utilize the data to drive instruction. We also have other teachers attending a category three PYP workshop in the Arts in Dubai. Providing these amazing professional development experiences for our teachers is something that sets our school apart.
Wishing you a lovely weekend
Warm Regards
Josh Doubleday
It's been another great of week of learning in the Elementary school. I have been holding down the fort whilst Mr. Voborsky has been recruiting new teachers for the 2015/16 school year at the London recruitment fair. As our reputation grows, so does our pool of qualified and experience educators who are interested in working at our school.
This weekend some of our teachers will be attending a professional development workshop on our MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing in order to utilize the data to drive instruction. We also have other teachers attending a category three PYP workshop in the Arts in Dubai. Providing these amazing professional development experiences for our teachers is something that sets our school apart.
Wishing you a lovely weekend
Warm Regards
Josh Doubleday
Around Elementary School This Week..
Grade 2 learn how our actions impact habitats around the world and ways we can conserve and protect them
As part of Grade 2’s tuning into their new Unit of Inquiry, the students have created the most amazing, creative habitats in their classrooms. Students, parents and teachers, took part in this learning engagement and it was evident that everyone was engaged and having fun!
The learning that took place as part of this activity was truly what the PYP represents. Students were building knowledge, creating, solving problems, asking questions and more; in fact developing the five essential elements – knowledge, concepts, Learner Profile/attitudes, skills and taking action by bringing in stuffed animals and artifacts for their habitats. This learning engagement gave the children the opportunity to construct their understanding and develop their communication, thinking and social skills, as well as focus on the learner profile attributes and attitudes.
Some of our students are so inspired they are building habitats in their own homes! Sorry parents …. Here is a slideshow showcasing some of the students work.
As part of Grade 2’s tuning into their new Unit of Inquiry, the students have created the most amazing, creative habitats in their classrooms. Students, parents and teachers, took part in this learning engagement and it was evident that everyone was engaged and having fun!
The learning that took place as part of this activity was truly what the PYP represents. Students were building knowledge, creating, solving problems, asking questions and more; in fact developing the five essential elements – knowledge, concepts, Learner Profile/attitudes, skills and taking action by bringing in stuffed animals and artifacts for their habitats. This learning engagement gave the children the opportunity to construct their understanding and develop their communication, thinking and social skills, as well as focus on the learner profile attributes and attitudes.
Some of our students are so inspired they are building habitats in their own homes! Sorry parents …. Here is a slideshow showcasing some of the students work.
Martin Luther King Day
This week saw many of our Elementary classes looking at Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy in the fight for Civil rights for all Americans. Children in various grades touched on topics of equality, pacifism, respect, and being caring to all people. KG2 read a story about Martin Luther King Jr. and wrote how they can make the world a better place. Grade 1’s watched a Brain Pop video about Marin Luther King Jr. and then wrote and drew out their dreams. Here is a link to the online video:
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/freemovies/martinlutherkingjr/
Some Grade 2 students created a “I have a dream” person or footprints where students wrote down a dream they have for the world and how they can make the world a better place.
Grade 4 were inquiring into who Martin Luther King Jr. was and how he fought for equality of all American Citizens. This topic brings with it a discussion that reinforces many of our learner profiles and attitudes about empathy, community, commitment, integrity and respect.
This week saw many of our Elementary classes looking at Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy in the fight for Civil rights for all Americans. Children in various grades touched on topics of equality, pacifism, respect, and being caring to all people. KG2 read a story about Martin Luther King Jr. and wrote how they can make the world a better place. Grade 1’s watched a Brain Pop video about Marin Luther King Jr. and then wrote and drew out their dreams. Here is a link to the online video:
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/freemovies/martinlutherkingjr/
Some Grade 2 students created a “I have a dream” person or footprints where students wrote down a dream they have for the world and how they can make the world a better place.
Grade 4 were inquiring into who Martin Luther King Jr. was and how he fought for equality of all American Citizens. This topic brings with it a discussion that reinforces many of our learner profiles and attitudes about empathy, community, commitment, integrity and respect.
Primary Years Program News
Inquiry-based Teaching and Learning
Inquiry is the leading pedagogical approach of the PYP. Learners learn best through structured, purposeful inquiry that engages students actively in their own learning. Learners should be invited to investigate significant issues by formulating their own questions, designing their own inquiries, assessing the various means available to support their inquiries, and proceeding with research, experimentation, observation, and analysis that will help them find their own responses to the issues. The starting point is the learners’ current understanding, and the goal is the active construction of meaning by building connections between that understanding and new information and experience.
To facilitate the inquiry based teaching and learning at GAA, the school has adopted an inquiry cycle to guide the students through the process. The inquiry cycle assists teachers with planning, framing the curriculum, structuring appropriate learning engagements and supports the various approaches to assessment. The inquiry cycle is a model from Kath Murdoch, an Australian researcher. The components of the inquiry cycle include tuning in, finding out, sorting out, going further, making connections and taking action. Inquiry based teaching and learning is the core of the IB programmes.
If you would like to know more about our Primary Years Programme, please do not hesitate to contact your classroom teacher or myself, Sofia Lyons ([email protected])
Kind regards
Sofia Lyons
IB PYP Coordinator
Inquiry is the leading pedagogical approach of the PYP. Learners learn best through structured, purposeful inquiry that engages students actively in their own learning. Learners should be invited to investigate significant issues by formulating their own questions, designing their own inquiries, assessing the various means available to support their inquiries, and proceeding with research, experimentation, observation, and analysis that will help them find their own responses to the issues. The starting point is the learners’ current understanding, and the goal is the active construction of meaning by building connections between that understanding and new information and experience.
To facilitate the inquiry based teaching and learning at GAA, the school has adopted an inquiry cycle to guide the students through the process. The inquiry cycle assists teachers with planning, framing the curriculum, structuring appropriate learning engagements and supports the various approaches to assessment. The inquiry cycle is a model from Kath Murdoch, an Australian researcher. The components of the inquiry cycle include tuning in, finding out, sorting out, going further, making connections and taking action. Inquiry based teaching and learning is the core of the IB programmes.
If you would like to know more about our Primary Years Programme, please do not hesitate to contact your classroom teacher or myself, Sofia Lyons ([email protected])
Kind regards
Sofia Lyons
IB PYP Coordinator
IB PYP Learner Profile Of the Month
The Learner Profile for the month of January is - COMMUNICATOR
Students will understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Activities for Parents:
• Encourage your child to stay in touch with relatives and friends who live in other countries by writing letters, using the phone or sending an email.
• When working on homework, encourage your child to explain his/her answer to you orally or by drawing a picture.
• Work with your child to improve his/her listening skills. Being a good listener is an important part of communicating with others.
• Utilize school sponsored discussion boards and blogs to enhance written communication skills.
The Learner Profile for the month of January is - COMMUNICATOR
Students will understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Activities for Parents:
• Encourage your child to stay in touch with relatives and friends who live in other countries by writing letters, using the phone or sending an email.
• When working on homework, encourage your child to explain his/her answer to you orally or by drawing a picture.
• Work with your child to improve his/her listening skills. Being a good listener is an important part of communicating with others.
• Utilize school sponsored discussion boards and blogs to enhance written communication skills.
Kindergarten Corner
KG1I PE Lesson Taught By The Seniors!
This week KG1I had a special PE lesson taught by Ms. Anna and her senior students in the Gym. Thank you to Abdulla Al Ajeil, Jayden Foose, Daniel Del Valle, & Luti Radovanovic for coaching the children. The children loved their lesson with you!
This week KG1I had a special PE lesson taught by Ms. Anna and her senior students in the Gym. Thank you to Abdulla Al Ajeil, Jayden Foose, Daniel Del Valle, & Luti Radovanovic for coaching the children. The children loved their lesson with you!
The Importance Of Scissor Cutting Skills
Developing children's motor skills is a big part of what we are learning in Kindergarten. If you want to help at home or learn more about developing these skills, here is a great article for you to read: http://makeoversandmotherhood.com/scissor-cutting-skills-theyre-important-learn-em/
Developing children's motor skills is a big part of what we are learning in Kindergarten. If you want to help at home or learn more about developing these skills, here is a great article for you to read: http://makeoversandmotherhood.com/scissor-cutting-skills-theyre-important-learn-em/