News from our Elementary Principal, Dan Trimble
Dear Parents,
A sincere thank you for all of you who were able to make time in your busy lives to attend our Back to School Night on Wednesday Sept. 27th. Meeting with your classroom teacher and members of the faculty helps to show your child that you value education. Each time you ask them about their learning, log in to SeeSaw, attend a GAAPA event, or do anything that connects your family to their education, you are telling them that you value learning and education.
We know your family time is precious and appreciate all the support you give us with these types of community events.
Daniel M. Trimble
Proud Elementary Principal, GAA
A sincere thank you for all of you who were able to make time in your busy lives to attend our Back to School Night on Wednesday Sept. 27th. Meeting with your classroom teacher and members of the faculty helps to show your child that you value education. Each time you ask them about their learning, log in to SeeSaw, attend a GAAPA event, or do anything that connects your family to their education, you are telling them that you value learning and education.
We know your family time is precious and appreciate all the support you give us with these types of community events.
Daniel M. Trimble
Proud Elementary Principal, GAA
In UAE social studies , our Grade 3 students were involved in a project about the solar system and the rotation of EARTH .
Be sure to visit the Mezzanine on the 1st floor to view the students incredible work!
Good job Grade 3!!
Be sure to visit the Mezzanine on the 1st floor to view the students incredible work!
Good job Grade 3!!
News from Upper Elementary Vice Principal, Mike Hopaluk
Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe that we have just completed our third week of the 2017-2018 school year. I have been amazed at how students have slipped into classroom routines so easily and enthusiastically. Students have been demonstrating their understanding of what it means to be a member of our GAA Community of Kindness in the classrooms, hallways and playgrounds throughout the school.
As we go into our fourth week, Elementary students will start attending Community Shares each Thursday. Community Shares are opportunities for classes to demonstrate and celebrate some of the learning that has recently taken place. From student authors reading their poetry, to student scientists replicating some of their experiments to student artists performing dramatizations- it is an opportunity for young learners to build confidence and share their enthusiasm for learning. As much as possible, teachers guide their classes to choosing themselves what, and how, they would like to share.
As we have such a large student body from Grades 1 to 5, it is impossible to have all students attend all Community Shares. Therefore, about a third of all the classes attend each week with a range from all Grades 1 to 5. At each of these events, two classes are the ‘hosts’ and use the Auditorium stage to showcase their learning. Homeroom teachers will remind parents when their child’s class will be hosting the community share. Please make note of our current Community Share schedule (please note, this may change due to unforeseen circumstances).
It is hard to believe that we have just completed our third week of the 2017-2018 school year. I have been amazed at how students have slipped into classroom routines so easily and enthusiastically. Students have been demonstrating their understanding of what it means to be a member of our GAA Community of Kindness in the classrooms, hallways and playgrounds throughout the school.
As we go into our fourth week, Elementary students will start attending Community Shares each Thursday. Community Shares are opportunities for classes to demonstrate and celebrate some of the learning that has recently taken place. From student authors reading their poetry, to student scientists replicating some of their experiments to student artists performing dramatizations- it is an opportunity for young learners to build confidence and share their enthusiasm for learning. As much as possible, teachers guide their classes to choosing themselves what, and how, they would like to share.
As we have such a large student body from Grades 1 to 5, it is impossible to have all students attend all Community Shares. Therefore, about a third of all the classes attend each week with a range from all Grades 1 to 5. At each of these events, two classes are the ‘hosts’ and use the Auditorium stage to showcase their learning. Homeroom teachers will remind parents when their child’s class will be hosting the community share. Please make note of our current Community Share schedule (please note, this may change due to unforeseen circumstances).
During Community Shares we also celebrate ‘STAR STUDENTS’. These are students who have been recognized by either their teacher or classmates to have recently demonstrated an outstanding effort towards showing either attributes of the IB Learner Profile (Caring, Risk-taker, Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Balanced, Reflective, Principled, Communicator, Thinker, Open-minded) or the PYP Attitudes (Curiosity, Appreciation, Integrity, Commitment, Cooperation, Confidence, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Independence, Respect, Tolerance, Creativity). Star Students receive a certificate and a lanyard to wear for the week so they can be recognized by the entire GAA Community. Parents of Star Students will be contacted by their child’s teacher so they can attend the Community Share and experience this celebration of learning.
It has been an exciting week in 4D. MAPs testing has started and the students are demonstrating their knowledge to the best of their abilities in Reading and Mathematics. Next week, we will be focusing on Language and Science assessments. The students have demonstrated positive self management skills and mindfulness as they complete the assessments with a tremendous amount of focus.
We are very fortunate to have a kind, collaborative 4D class, full of effective communicators. One of our first projects was creating an Essential Agreement Wordle. We brainstormed ideas about how we want our classroom to look and feel, pulling out key vocabulary terms. Each of the students then designed their key words, showing off their artistic skills. Lastly, Miss. Stefanie challenged the class to arrange the words in the shape of a 4D, with very little guidance or instructions about how to go about it. Leaders emerged from the group and through problem solving, respectful communication, and collaboration, the students found success. There is a connection and ownership to their essential agreement that has led to a cohesive group of students. We are excited to see what we can accomplish this year!
“In class, our central idea is that “living in a digital world impacts how we access information and connect with each other”. We are learning to be safe on the internet by never revealing information that can identify ourselves. We also learned what social media is and how we can use it responsibly. Some examples are Facebook, Musicaly, and Instagram. It has been really fun so far!”
- written by Naya Altrabulsi and Ghalia Al hosani
We are very fortunate to have a kind, collaborative 4D class, full of effective communicators. One of our first projects was creating an Essential Agreement Wordle. We brainstormed ideas about how we want our classroom to look and feel, pulling out key vocabulary terms. Each of the students then designed their key words, showing off their artistic skills. Lastly, Miss. Stefanie challenged the class to arrange the words in the shape of a 4D, with very little guidance or instructions about how to go about it. Leaders emerged from the group and through problem solving, respectful communication, and collaboration, the students found success. There is a connection and ownership to their essential agreement that has led to a cohesive group of students. We are excited to see what we can accomplish this year!
“In class, our central idea is that “living in a digital world impacts how we access information and connect with each other”. We are learning to be safe on the internet by never revealing information that can identify ourselves. We also learned what social media is and how we can use it responsibly. Some examples are Facebook, Musicaly, and Instagram. It has been really fun so far!”
- written by Naya Altrabulsi and Ghalia Al hosani
Dear Families,
This week, we’re starting our creative art project with Drawings By Me. The programme is all about championing artistic expression and filling the kids with confidence. Your child will create their own special artwork. Their drawings can then be magically transformed into keepsakes for friends and family, like mugs, calendars, greetings cards and more. (Click HERE for product description). We have had great success in previous years and hope that enthusiasm continues! The company is very organized and produces high quality items that any parent would be proud to display. The envelopes and the artwork will be sent home on Sunday, October 15th 2017.
If you DO NOT wish to purchase anything please keep the artwork at home.
Should you or your child rather have another piece for Drawings By Me, please have your child create an artwork (no pastel, chalk or glitter permitted) at home on blank A4 paper and replace it with the one made at school. To ensure on time delivery, it is important to write the following details on the back:
First Name
Last Name
Age
Grade and Section
School Name: Gems American Academy Abu Dhabi
Classroom Teacher’s Name
If you DO wish to purchase something please deposit the artwork back to school with the EXACT money (no change given) in the sealed envelope provided, by Sunday October 22nd at the latest. All orders must be in the Drawings By Me Mailbox located at the Main Reception. All orders will be delivered to classrooms well before Winter Break. For more information, please see your grade level Art Teacher.
Beautiful samples are on display in both the main and the KG receptions.
Kind regards,
Elementary Visual Arts Department
Kathy Milot
Elementary Art PYP Educator
Elementary Arts Coordinator
This week, we’re starting our creative art project with Drawings By Me. The programme is all about championing artistic expression and filling the kids with confidence. Your child will create their own special artwork. Their drawings can then be magically transformed into keepsakes for friends and family, like mugs, calendars, greetings cards and more. (Click HERE for product description). We have had great success in previous years and hope that enthusiasm continues! The company is very organized and produces high quality items that any parent would be proud to display. The envelopes and the artwork will be sent home on Sunday, October 15th 2017.
If you DO NOT wish to purchase anything please keep the artwork at home.
Should you or your child rather have another piece for Drawings By Me, please have your child create an artwork (no pastel, chalk or glitter permitted) at home on blank A4 paper and replace it with the one made at school. To ensure on time delivery, it is important to write the following details on the back:
First Name
Last Name
Age
Grade and Section
School Name: Gems American Academy Abu Dhabi
Classroom Teacher’s Name
If you DO wish to purchase something please deposit the artwork back to school with the EXACT money (no change given) in the sealed envelope provided, by Sunday October 22nd at the latest. All orders must be in the Drawings By Me Mailbox located at the Main Reception. All orders will be delivered to classrooms well before Winter Break. For more information, please see your grade level Art Teacher.
Beautiful samples are on display in both the main and the KG receptions.
Kind regards,
Elementary Visual Arts Department
Kathy Milot
Elementary Art PYP Educator
Elementary Arts Coordinator
KG Corner
This week in KG2H:
In KG2 H this week, we have been having lots of fun! We have started our new unit ‘Who We Are’. In groups, we did a ‘chalktalk’ activity, where we drew and discussed the different relationships that we have.
We have also been practicing writing our numbers and our counting skills. Be sure to ask us all about the different things that we are learning at home. We love to share our learning experiences!
In KG2 H this week, we have been having lots of fun! We have started our new unit ‘Who We Are’. In groups, we did a ‘chalktalk’ activity, where we drew and discussed the different relationships that we have.
We have also been practicing writing our numbers and our counting skills. Be sure to ask us all about the different things that we are learning at home. We love to share our learning experiences!
Our little KG1s and KG2s having been having fun in PE over the last few weeks with new friends, new teachers and new games! We have lots of wonderful games and activities coming up and we are looking forward to lots more. This week we have been focusing on working as a team/class both inside and outside.
The KG team