News from our Elementary Principal, Ben Voborsky
Hello GAA Community,
I had the honor of launching the first GAA Health and Wellness Summit today. Dylan Mcshain, Elementary PE Coordinator, took the lead on organizing our Grade 3, 4, and 5 students in this experience filled with guest speakers and lots of sharing. This is just on example of the proactive types of support we, as a team, provide our students as they develop as internationally minded people. Another pro-active campaign that will be launched is the Anti-bullying and By-Stander Awareness Week. Please check out the flyer for this upcoming event.
Our fall community celebration, The Harvest Festival, is just around the corner. GAAPA does a fantastic job organizing this popular student event and I can not wait to attend it for the third time with my family. Please get in touch with your room parent or a GAAPA representative to learn how you can support or volunteer to make this Harvest Festival an amazing one for your child and their classmates. I hope to see the booth decorating competition heat up this year. Full disclosure: I have the difficult task of being one of the judges!
We are getting well into the regular school routine and our students are settled into the learning process and their instructional environment. On October 22, G1-5 GAA Transition Reports and end of Unit of Inquiry 1 feedback will be sent home. On October 29, KG1 Transition Reports and KG2 Transition Reports and end of Unit of Inquiry 1 feedback will go home. This is a great lead into Three Way (Parent, Student, Teacher) Conferences in November.
Have a great weekend and please read a great story with you child!
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
I had the honor of launching the first GAA Health and Wellness Summit today. Dylan Mcshain, Elementary PE Coordinator, took the lead on organizing our Grade 3, 4, and 5 students in this experience filled with guest speakers and lots of sharing. This is just on example of the proactive types of support we, as a team, provide our students as they develop as internationally minded people. Another pro-active campaign that will be launched is the Anti-bullying and By-Stander Awareness Week. Please check out the flyer for this upcoming event.
Our fall community celebration, The Harvest Festival, is just around the corner. GAAPA does a fantastic job organizing this popular student event and I can not wait to attend it for the third time with my family. Please get in touch with your room parent or a GAAPA representative to learn how you can support or volunteer to make this Harvest Festival an amazing one for your child and their classmates. I hope to see the booth decorating competition heat up this year. Full disclosure: I have the difficult task of being one of the judges!
We are getting well into the regular school routine and our students are settled into the learning process and their instructional environment. On October 22, G1-5 GAA Transition Reports and end of Unit of Inquiry 1 feedback will be sent home. On October 29, KG1 Transition Reports and KG2 Transition Reports and end of Unit of Inquiry 1 feedback will go home. This is a great lead into Three Way (Parent, Student, Teacher) Conferences in November.
Have a great weekend and please read a great story with you child!
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
From our Elementary Vice Principal, Sofia Lyons
PYP Parent Information Sessions in the Library
These are some of the reflections from our PYP Parent Information Sessions ….
Here are some of our parent questions that will help us plan for future PYP Information Sessions
As a follow up, we will be organising more PYP Information sessions across the year to address the questions that you have, as well as develop your understanding of
Sofia Lyons
Elementary Vice Principal
These are some of the reflections from our PYP Parent Information Sessions ….
- I used to think my kids had to memorise and do exams in order to learn
- I used to think that the teachers were talking more in the class and were giving more direct instructions.
- Now I still think that everything the school offers is great
- It actually provides the environment to do exactly what it sets out to do - it takes a lot of parental involvement
- My daughter has become more confident and gets wide knowledge in all subjects
- I used to think that the progress is interesting and offers more opportunities to our children. Now I believe and trust that our children will become open-minded inquirers, accompanied by a caring, school system
- I used to think the IB program is more play because whenever I ask my daughter what did you do in class, she would say we played. Now I think she learns while playing. It’s not just being serious and studying but enjoying learning. Enjoy doing what you do, whilst still having fun.
- I used to think that taking our kids from home countries and moving them around would be confusing and uncomfortable.
- Now I think that researching and knowledge seeking make you learn and remember what you learned.
- I used to think the school is a really great one because I have seen the positive changes in my children’s (language, skills, communication, etc
Here are some of our parent questions that will help us plan for future PYP Information Sessions
- How can I best support my kids with the extra work I already do with them at home
- How do I know that they are keeping up with their peers around the world? Academically and socially
- If we move to another IB school outside of Abu Dhabi will the kids enter the grade they are supposed to?
- We discussed the great benefits of IB, isn’t this the case in all IB Schools? Why does GAA stand out from all other IB Schools?
- What is American about the curriculum?
- Does PYP encourage text-books, workbooks, sheets?
- Is the science and geography being taught in the school in par with those subjects being taught in other schools all around the world?
- In the PYP does it require explicit feedback to students about work presented?
- What strategies do you have in place to help students new to PYP cope with the change?
- What are the key words for parents to follow up with their son or daughter to enhance the programme?
- How many graduates went to universities last year? How did the graduates do overall on their standardised tests?
As a follow up, we will be organising more PYP Information sessions across the year to address the questions that you have, as well as develop your understanding of
- What should your child be learning? (the written curriculum)
- How your child learns (the taught curriculum)
- How we know what your child has learnt (the assessed curriculum)
Sofia Lyons
Elementary Vice Principal
From our Elementary Vice Principal, Louise Dunn
Dear Parents,
"GEM"
If you have a child in grades one through five the chances are that they may have come home and told you that their class earned a “GEM”. As part of our positive behavior policy, we have rolled out school “GEMS” for the 2015/16 school year. A “GEM” is given to a whole class who is observed acting in a way that exemplifies positive school behavior as they move around the school.
These “GEMS” are awarded to a class by a teacher that at that moment in time is not directly under their supervision. The goal of the “GEMS” is to celebrate and acknowledge the excellent behavior that students are engaged in daily here at GAA.
At GAA we prioritize the creation of a healthy, safe and respectful learning environment for our pupils. Through the “GEM" program, we are helping our students to be mindful of their role in making this ideal a reality.
As always we are appreciative of our supportive community as we work towards guiding our students to live by the mantra of " be safe, be respectful, and be a learner".
Louise Dunn
"GEM"
If you have a child in grades one through five the chances are that they may have come home and told you that their class earned a “GEM”. As part of our positive behavior policy, we have rolled out school “GEMS” for the 2015/16 school year. A “GEM” is given to a whole class who is observed acting in a way that exemplifies positive school behavior as they move around the school.
These “GEMS” are awarded to a class by a teacher that at that moment in time is not directly under their supervision. The goal of the “GEMS” is to celebrate and acknowledge the excellent behavior that students are engaged in daily here at GAA.
At GAA we prioritize the creation of a healthy, safe and respectful learning environment for our pupils. Through the “GEM" program, we are helping our students to be mindful of their role in making this ideal a reality.
As always we are appreciative of our supportive community as we work towards guiding our students to live by the mantra of " be safe, be respectful, and be a learner".
Louise Dunn
GRADE 4
Grade 4 Exploring Human Systems under the Transdisciplinary Theme of Who We Are
In Grade 4 we are finding out about Who We Are. Students are inquiring into the effective interactions between (human body) systems and how they contribute to health and well-being.
So far we have found out about the skeletal, nervous, muscular, respiratory, cardio-vascular and digestive systems. Students have investigated the roles of different parts of these systems by doing experiments like measuring their reaction times, playing a board game about how the circulatory system works, creating nesting diagrams of the different systems and making a simulated digestive system. Our inquiries have allowed us to explore the concepts of function, connection and responsibility.
In our inquiries we are always developing and extending the skills studentsneed in order to be curious, engaged learners. In this unit we are learning to accurately determine key ideas when researching and record relevant supporting details that allow students to summarize the text. Self-management skills include making healthy choices and time management. These skills are being practiced and built upon in this unit.
To help students develop management skills teachers give the Homework Menu each Sunday and it is due each Thursday. Homework will be posted on our Grade 4 page so you can keep informed of homework expectations for that week (in case your child loses their paper copy!)
At GAA, having a Culture of Kindness is extremely important to support the learning of all of us. Many of you know about the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. Although we strive to practice all parts of the Learner Profile we highlight a small number of attributes within each unit. During our Who we Are unit Grade 4 students are focusing on being Balanced and Reflective. Balanced means we balance school, rest, play and family time. Being Reflective means we think back on our learning and behavior. We know what we are good at and strive to do better in areas that need improvement.
The PYP Attitudes are designed to help students develop positive attitudes towards others, the environment and learning. They are important to foster the well-being of each student and each class. The attitudes we are highlighting at the moment are commitment - being committed to their own learning, persevering and showing self-discipline, responsibility and cooperation – collaborating, leading and following as the situation requires. We are always reflecting upon how we can take action to put our Culture of Kindness into action.
Finally, we are all looking forward to our Grade 4 Wilderness Ecoventure on Thursday 29th till Friday 30th October. Just a reminder that payment should be made to the Accounts Department by the 22nd October. This will be a fantastic opportunity to further develop important social and self-management skills in a fun and challenging way.
In the meantime, If you have questions at any time please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
Grade 4 Team
In Grade 4 we are finding out about Who We Are. Students are inquiring into the effective interactions between (human body) systems and how they contribute to health and well-being.
So far we have found out about the skeletal, nervous, muscular, respiratory, cardio-vascular and digestive systems. Students have investigated the roles of different parts of these systems by doing experiments like measuring their reaction times, playing a board game about how the circulatory system works, creating nesting diagrams of the different systems and making a simulated digestive system. Our inquiries have allowed us to explore the concepts of function, connection and responsibility.
In our inquiries we are always developing and extending the skills studentsneed in order to be curious, engaged learners. In this unit we are learning to accurately determine key ideas when researching and record relevant supporting details that allow students to summarize the text. Self-management skills include making healthy choices and time management. These skills are being practiced and built upon in this unit.
To help students develop management skills teachers give the Homework Menu each Sunday and it is due each Thursday. Homework will be posted on our Grade 4 page so you can keep informed of homework expectations for that week (in case your child loses their paper copy!)
At GAA, having a Culture of Kindness is extremely important to support the learning of all of us. Many of you know about the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. Although we strive to practice all parts of the Learner Profile we highlight a small number of attributes within each unit. During our Who we Are unit Grade 4 students are focusing on being Balanced and Reflective. Balanced means we balance school, rest, play and family time. Being Reflective means we think back on our learning and behavior. We know what we are good at and strive to do better in areas that need improvement.
The PYP Attitudes are designed to help students develop positive attitudes towards others, the environment and learning. They are important to foster the well-being of each student and each class. The attitudes we are highlighting at the moment are commitment - being committed to their own learning, persevering and showing self-discipline, responsibility and cooperation – collaborating, leading and following as the situation requires. We are always reflecting upon how we can take action to put our Culture of Kindness into action.
Finally, we are all looking forward to our Grade 4 Wilderness Ecoventure on Thursday 29th till Friday 30th October. Just a reminder that payment should be made to the Accounts Department by the 22nd October. This will be a fantastic opportunity to further develop important social and self-management skills in a fun and challenging way.
In the meantime, If you have questions at any time please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
Grade 4 Team
Performing Arts
The performing arts department here at GAA has been off to fast-paced start to the year. Our students have been engaging in a range of Music, Drama and Dance activities with lots of integration into grade level units of inquiry. Here is a quick snapshot of some things happening in the Elementary school. For more information please visit the separate grade level Launcher websites.
Drama and Dance Announcement!
Grade 3, 4 and 5 students will have a summative assessment October 15, 2015 - October 26, 2015. The following will be assessed:
-An ability to properly execute the breathing techniques learned in class (abdominal/tummy goes out during inhalation and comes in during exhalation)
If you would like to support at home, please ask your child to show you the dance step and breathing technique learned in class. Your inquiry will encourage students to practice.
Grade 1
Drama and Dance Announcement!
Grade 3, 4 and 5 students will have a summative assessment October 15, 2015 - October 26, 2015. The following will be assessed:
-An ability to properly execute the breathing techniques learned in class (abdominal/tummy goes out during inhalation and comes in during exhalation)
If you would like to support at home, please ask your child to show you the dance step and breathing technique learned in class. Your inquiry will encourage students to practice.
Grade 1
Welcome to Music class Grade 1! We are glad to have a very enthusiastic group of young musicians! We have begun this new year learning about musical sounds and beat. This week, we introduced Percussion instruments to the students, and we are having so much fun learning how to play them. Music is both relaxing and stimulates the brain; therefore we are learning and practicing mindful strategies in which music is incorporated to help students to stop, breath, and relax to explore the soothing effects of music in their bodies. At home, you can bring music in your child’s life in many ways; hearing live or recorded music, playing instruments, singing songs, and dancing to the beat. These all help to build a life long appreciation for music.
Thank you for your support!
Drama and Dance in Grade 1 has seen our students learning about what conflict is and how to solve it in a positive way. Students have been working very hard to understand Kelso’s Choices, a conflict resolution strategy. Their final performance for the unit is a role-play in which they act out a conflict, suggest a choice and perform it again but with the positive outcome. Grade 1 have been very positive and hardworking in this first unit and we are excited to see where they go from here.
Grade 2
Thank you for your support!
Drama and Dance in Grade 1 has seen our students learning about what conflict is and how to solve it in a positive way. Students have been working very hard to understand Kelso’s Choices, a conflict resolution strategy. Their final performance for the unit is a role-play in which they act out a conflict, suggest a choice and perform it again but with the positive outcome. Grade 1 have been very positive and hardworking in this first unit and we are excited to see where they go from here.
Grade 2
Grade 2 has been working on Mime performances in Drama and Dance. We are understanding how emotions and movement affect relationships with other people. Students are also learning about non-verbal communication. Mime is an excellent vehicle for this because you’re not allowed to talk, which students have found to be an interesting challenge. Well done Grade 2!
Last Thursday at community share, students from 2B performed Jambo Bwana, a Swahili song from Kenya. This song was used as a springboard for students to share “Hello” words from their culture. Student learned how to play a variety of percussion instruments to accompany the song. They then added a rap part using hello words from different languages in call and response style.
Grade 3
In Grade 3 Drama and Dance, students are being reflective when independently identifying and giving examples of their strengths, interests, and areas for improvement. Students are beginning to learn choreography and identify dance components such as rhythm. They are demonstrating their understanding of cooperation when participating in activities that focus on listening and communication skills.
In music, students will be active participants in helping to build a music class community. The overall goal is for students to gain an understanding that they are contributing members of the learning environment and they have a responsibility to create a learning environment that is safe and productive.
In Unit One: Who We Are, students in the 3rd grade are exploring the central idea of taking ownership of learning empowers us. Students learned a responsibility rap as a springboard to create a music composition entitled “I Have an Attitude.” The lyrics of the song will be reflective of the PYP attitudes.
Grade 3
In Grade 3 Drama and Dance, students are being reflective when independently identifying and giving examples of their strengths, interests, and areas for improvement. Students are beginning to learn choreography and identify dance components such as rhythm. They are demonstrating their understanding of cooperation when participating in activities that focus on listening and communication skills.
In music, students will be active participants in helping to build a music class community. The overall goal is for students to gain an understanding that they are contributing members of the learning environment and they have a responsibility to create a learning environment that is safe and productive.
In Unit One: Who We Are, students in the 3rd grade are exploring the central idea of taking ownership of learning empowers us. Students learned a responsibility rap as a springboard to create a music composition entitled “I Have an Attitude.” The lyrics of the song will be reflective of the PYP attitudes.
Grade 4
In Grade 4 Drama and Dance, students are considering and utilizing the skills and techniques used by a range of drama practitioners in the performing arts. They are being open-minded when integrating breathing techniques into their routines. Students are also becoming knowledgeable of the diaphragm’s role in projection and endurance on stage.
In Grade 4, students have finished their first assessment in music. They have been working on reading music in the treble clef and learning B-A-G fingerings on the recorder. Each student recorded their performance of a short piece so that they now have a baseline to gauge their skill development in music over the year. Next, we add fingering for C, and will learn about notating rhythm. Each class enjoyed the TED animated short on How to Read Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN41d7Txcq0).
Grade 5
In Grade 5 Drama and Dance, students are showing physical confidence in the use of their bodies when learning choreography. They are also considering mindfulness when participating various concentration and breathing activities at the start of class. Students are being independent when directing one another during the warm-ups.
In Grade 5, students have been learning to breathe for playing a wind instrument, reviewing recorder fingering and reading notation. They viewed the TED Talk by Anita Collins on what playing music does for your brain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng) to demonstrate the benefits of including music as part of a healthy life style. With their first assessment, students now have a baseline to measure their own progression of music skills. In the month of October, students will learn a new pitch/fingering on the recorder in each class with the goal of knowing an octave of fingerings. This will enable us to combine the recorder with Orff instruments for musical arrangements that will be presented at the February Arts Festival.
In Grade 4 Drama and Dance, students are considering and utilizing the skills and techniques used by a range of drama practitioners in the performing arts. They are being open-minded when integrating breathing techniques into their routines. Students are also becoming knowledgeable of the diaphragm’s role in projection and endurance on stage.
In Grade 4, students have finished their first assessment in music. They have been working on reading music in the treble clef and learning B-A-G fingerings on the recorder. Each student recorded their performance of a short piece so that they now have a baseline to gauge their skill development in music over the year. Next, we add fingering for C, and will learn about notating rhythm. Each class enjoyed the TED animated short on How to Read Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN41d7Txcq0).
Grade 5
In Grade 5 Drama and Dance, students are showing physical confidence in the use of their bodies when learning choreography. They are also considering mindfulness when participating various concentration and breathing activities at the start of class. Students are being independent when directing one another during the warm-ups.
In Grade 5, students have been learning to breathe for playing a wind instrument, reviewing recorder fingering and reading notation. They viewed the TED Talk by Anita Collins on what playing music does for your brain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng) to demonstrate the benefits of including music as part of a healthy life style. With their first assessment, students now have a baseline to measure their own progression of music skills. In the month of October, students will learn a new pitch/fingering on the recorder in each class with the goal of knowing an octave of fingerings. This will enable us to combine the recorder with Orff instruments for musical arrangements that will be presented at the February Arts Festival.
Health and Safety at GAA
Microwaves.
In our goal to continue to improve the health and safety features of our school all the microwaves that are currently in the 1st grade classrooms will be removed on October 1. This is so that students will have the full twenty minutes to either eat the lunch brought from home or the lunch purchased from school. When teachers are asked to warm up ten or more lunches this reduces the time significantly that those students have for eating. If your child prefers a warm lunch the school catering company offers healthy nutritious lunches. Alternatively students could bring in their food in a thermos that will keep their food warm.
Microwaves.
In our goal to continue to improve the health and safety features of our school all the microwaves that are currently in the 1st grade classrooms will be removed on October 1. This is so that students will have the full twenty minutes to either eat the lunch brought from home or the lunch purchased from school. When teachers are asked to warm up ten or more lunches this reduces the time significantly that those students have for eating. If your child prefers a warm lunch the school catering company offers healthy nutritious lunches. Alternatively students could bring in their food in a thermos that will keep their food warm.
News from our KG Vice Principal, Sally Potts
Kiss and Ride!
Thank you to all of our families who are using our “Kiss and Ride” program in the mornings. Families are pulling into our drop-off lane and children are hopping out with their backpacks ready to enter the school. Our teachers and security staff are wonderful at making sure the children are safely getting into the school and cars are able to move efficiently. We have far fewer honking cars. Thank you!
Community Share is a wonderful opportunity for our KG 1 and KG2 classes to celebrate their learning with family and friends every week. We recognize that a number of our families are unable to attend. With that in mind, we will be creating a “virtual” space in which you will be able to see the Community Share for your child’s class.
It is important not to share these links on social media. Our goal is to protect the privacy of our families while giving you a chance to watch the magic of learning in Kindergarten. Please contact our staff if you have any questions.
Sally Potts
Vice Principal KG
Kiss and Ride!
Thank you to all of our families who are using our “Kiss and Ride” program in the mornings. Families are pulling into our drop-off lane and children are hopping out with their backpacks ready to enter the school. Our teachers and security staff are wonderful at making sure the children are safely getting into the school and cars are able to move efficiently. We have far fewer honking cars. Thank you!
Community Share is a wonderful opportunity for our KG 1 and KG2 classes to celebrate their learning with family and friends every week. We recognize that a number of our families are unable to attend. With that in mind, we will be creating a “virtual” space in which you will be able to see the Community Share for your child’s class.
It is important not to share these links on social media. Our goal is to protect the privacy of our families while giving you a chance to watch the magic of learning in Kindergarten. Please contact our staff if you have any questions.
Sally Potts
Vice Principal KG
KG Corner
KG1E
Hello KG Parents and families! J KG1 E just celebrated their first dress down day at school and started their first Unit of Inquiry “ Who We Are”. The central idea of this unit for the students is everyday I learn about myself. We created our own little people, and the children are learning how they are the same and different, what they look like and their individual interests. Terrific work girls and boys!
KG1E
Hello KG Parents and families! J KG1 E just celebrated their first dress down day at school and started their first Unit of Inquiry “ Who We Are”. The central idea of this unit for the students is everyday I learn about myself. We created our own little people, and the children are learning how they are the same and different, what they look like and their individual interests. Terrific work girls and boys!
Greetings KG Families!
Our Kindergarteners have recently started their unit of inquiry. Our class inquiry falls under the theme of “Who We Are” and the central idea is “Every day I learn about myself”. The children in KG1 F have been busy creating self-portraits and discussing how we are the same and different.
Our Kindergarteners have recently started their unit of inquiry. Our class inquiry falls under the theme of “Who We Are” and the central idea is “Every day I learn about myself”. The children in KG1 F have been busy creating self-portraits and discussing how we are the same and different.
KG Specialists
Library
Welcome to the KG Library where we love to read! Each week KG 1 and KG 2 students spend one hour in the library reading stories and listening to stories. Please remember to return all books to the KG drop boxes located in the KG library.
Library
Welcome to the KG Library where we love to read! Each week KG 1 and KG 2 students spend one hour in the library reading stories and listening to stories. Please remember to return all books to the KG drop boxes located in the KG library.