News From the Elementary Principal Ben Voborsky
Hello GAA Community,
It has been a whirlwind of activity at GAA! We had another amazing set of community sharings this week with our students filling the auditorium with beats! Percussion instruments were in full effect and lots of movement and song!
From Ecoventure trips to UAE Flag Day it has been an enthusiastic time to be around GAA. Grade 4 and 5 students participated in a GAA Student Experience Survey. The feedback demonstrated what a great learning environment GAA Teachers are providing for our students. Following are some of our student’s thoughts:
“I like how my teacher involves three different learning styles”
“I give him a 5 because he is awesome”
“She is doing an outstanding job”
“My teachers are the best and kindest”
“He makes working and learning fun”
“That they encourage me to enjoy going to school”
“I like how he is enthusiastic and awesome”
“She teaches using many different ways and makes it fun”
“They explain clear so I can understand"
What positive feedback! It is great to see evidence of the IB learner profile and the GEMS culture of kindness in action.
This positive atmosphere has been a trend at GAA. Please click on the link to view a recently published interview with some of our Grade 4s from last year. Yahoo for 2013-2014 Grade 4 students who named a crater. Click on the link to learn more about it:
http://www.uwingu.com/2014/11/abu-dhabi-gems-american-academy-grade-4-class-names-uwingu-crater/
GAA Elementary Teachers are growing professionally as well. A GEMS review team visited and the feedback was so positive! One area highlighted was the GAA Comprehensive Professional Development Plan. Most recently our teachers have been focusing their Monday after school meeting times on Collaboration, ICT, School Culture, and Inquiry. There will also be a lot of sharing during the upcoming Parent Engagement Week.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday for our GAA UAE National Day Celebration!
Enjoy you weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
GEMS American Academy – Abu Dhabi
It has been a whirlwind of activity at GAA! We had another amazing set of community sharings this week with our students filling the auditorium with beats! Percussion instruments were in full effect and lots of movement and song!
From Ecoventure trips to UAE Flag Day it has been an enthusiastic time to be around GAA. Grade 4 and 5 students participated in a GAA Student Experience Survey. The feedback demonstrated what a great learning environment GAA Teachers are providing for our students. Following are some of our student’s thoughts:
“I like how my teacher involves three different learning styles”
“I give him a 5 because he is awesome”
“She is doing an outstanding job”
“My teachers are the best and kindest”
“He makes working and learning fun”
“That they encourage me to enjoy going to school”
“I like how he is enthusiastic and awesome”
“She teaches using many different ways and makes it fun”
“They explain clear so I can understand"
What positive feedback! It is great to see evidence of the IB learner profile and the GEMS culture of kindness in action.
This positive atmosphere has been a trend at GAA. Please click on the link to view a recently published interview with some of our Grade 4s from last year. Yahoo for 2013-2014 Grade 4 students who named a crater. Click on the link to learn more about it:
http://www.uwingu.com/2014/11/abu-dhabi-gems-american-academy-grade-4-class-names-uwingu-crater/
GAA Elementary Teachers are growing professionally as well. A GEMS review team visited and the feedback was so positive! One area highlighted was the GAA Comprehensive Professional Development Plan. Most recently our teachers have been focusing their Monday after school meeting times on Collaboration, ICT, School Culture, and Inquiry. There will also be a lot of sharing during the upcoming Parent Engagement Week.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday for our GAA UAE National Day Celebration!
Enjoy you weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
GEMS American Academy – Abu Dhabi
Kindergarten Corner
What We Learn in the KG Kitchen Lab
In the KG Kitchen-Lab, the students learn a wide variety of life skills through multi-sensory hands on cooking and science activities. These skills include:
Math:
• Counting and One to One correspondence
• Classification (sorting objects into groups)
• Sequencing (following directions, writing directions)
• Quantity (measuring amounts, distributing materials)
• Fractions
• Comparing (larger or smaller)
Language:
• Listening
• Speaking
• Vocabulary building (directional words, sensory words, scientific and culinary terms)
• Reading (letter and word recognition)
• Writing
Science:
• Prediction
• Observation
• Measurement
Health:
• Personal Hygiene (hand washing, coughing, teeth brushing)
• Kitchen Hygiene (cleaning up and storing food)
Critical Thinking:
• Decision making
• Questioning
Fine Motor:
• Kneading, rolling, cutting pouring
Social Emotional:
• Independence
• Confidence
• Sharing
• Manners
http://www.education.com/reference/article/children-learn-cooking-snack-center/
http://www.preschoolspeechie.com/ricki-s-printable-forms-free/
In the KG Kitchen-Lab, the students learn a wide variety of life skills through multi-sensory hands on cooking and science activities. These skills include:
Math:
• Counting and One to One correspondence
• Classification (sorting objects into groups)
• Sequencing (following directions, writing directions)
• Quantity (measuring amounts, distributing materials)
• Fractions
• Comparing (larger or smaller)
Language:
• Listening
• Speaking
• Vocabulary building (directional words, sensory words, scientific and culinary terms)
• Reading (letter and word recognition)
• Writing
Science:
• Prediction
• Observation
• Measurement
Health:
• Personal Hygiene (hand washing, coughing, teeth brushing)
• Kitchen Hygiene (cleaning up and storing food)
Critical Thinking:
• Decision making
• Questioning
Fine Motor:
• Kneading, rolling, cutting pouring
Social Emotional:
• Independence
• Confidence
• Sharing
• Manners
http://www.education.com/reference/article/children-learn-cooking-snack-center/
http://www.preschoolspeechie.com/ricki-s-printable-forms-free/
The Value of Moms/Dads Volunteering in the Classroom
Parents, administration AND TEACHERS all appreciate parental volunteerism! It helps create a wonderful link between home and school. It lets parents really know what is happening in learning and teaching instead of asking the question, Parent: “What did you learn in school today?” Student: “Nothing.”.
But what can parents do to help out?
Parents and teachers both agree that extra hands in a class room benefit the children. There also needs to be clear expectations and understanding about roles and responsibilities of teachers and parent volunteers. Establishing expectations of those roles will help maximize the benefits for the children and the fun parents can have volunteering.
There are a couple of things that must happen first. It is important for the welfare of your students that all parents wishing to volunteer do before coming onboard to volunteer.
a. A criminal background check form has to be signed for each volunteer who has regular and frequent contact with students. In addition, volunteers will be required to provide a copy of photo identification. This is an important security protocol. All information is considered confidential.
b. Volunteers will follow all policies, procedures, and other rules established in the school and all applicable UAE laws.
c. Volunteers must sign in and out of the office and where a visitor’s badge when entering or leaving the school
d. Please wear appropriate clothes for school
e. Volunteers may not transport students other than their own children
f. Volunteers will not photograph or videotape students unless authorized.
Please check out the volunteer policy for other details.
Moving on to VOLUNTEERING!
Below are a few suggestions that will offer some clear expectations and positive ways to set up roles and responsibilities for parents to volunteer in the classroom. The suggestions below are only a beginning – parents who volunteer and teachers lucky enough to have this will build a great relationship over time.
Ways to Create a Positive Parent Volunteer Experience
Informed parents are involved. As a parent, you will want to get information about how to volunteer and what you will be doing in the classroom. Teachers can inform parents through emails, notes in a passport, online (and through email), about the opportunities in the classroom. Be aware about these different ways of communication; opening new electronic communication channels via email, text and social media is a teacher’s route for getting our parents interested and involved.
You as parents will want it clearly stated where, when, and what help is needed. Teachers want parents to support student learning activities such as listening to students read, reading to/with students, classroom support during centers, chaperoning, etc. Before volunteering, parents should think about what they are able to do, how often, and what they enjoy doing! Teachers will need to communicate areas where and when specific help is needed. Parents need to be able to feel comfortable to talk about this.
Specific Areas Where Your Support can be Instrumental:
Room mothers or fathers
Reading circles
Academic Centers
Volunteer shifts at the start of the day
Reading stories to the class
Field Trips
Organization of class parties
Specialized Support
Some parents may be Invited to update the class website or other electronic forms of communication
Preparing learning center materials from your home would also be truly appreciated
Creating and use of telephone chains for informative/important class updates
Just ask and see what happens!
Planning for Parental Support
Teachers NEVER want to discourage parent volunteers. They NEVER want volunteering parents to feel that they aren't needed or aren't sure what to do. If you volunteer, please be proactive about understanding how hard it may be to find enough time to prepare information or activities for volunteering parents. SO – ask questions,
A "Room Mother/father" can help assign volunteer roles to other “one of” volunteer parents, answer questions and write instructions for frequently repeated volunteer duties, such as math stations, science labs, field trips, or updating portfolios are duties that would be a HUGE help, among other things.
Always know that teachers really do appreciate parental volunteering. From helping change into swim suits, to the shepherding of small children on field trips and everything in between.
Cited:
Bantuveris, K. “5 Tips for Engaging Parent Volunteers in the Classroom.” 16 Sept 2013. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/strategies-for-engaging-parent-volunteers-karen-bantuveris
GAA Volunteer Policy 2014/15
Parents, administration AND TEACHERS all appreciate parental volunteerism! It helps create a wonderful link between home and school. It lets parents really know what is happening in learning and teaching instead of asking the question, Parent: “What did you learn in school today?” Student: “Nothing.”.
But what can parents do to help out?
Parents and teachers both agree that extra hands in a class room benefit the children. There also needs to be clear expectations and understanding about roles and responsibilities of teachers and parent volunteers. Establishing expectations of those roles will help maximize the benefits for the children and the fun parents can have volunteering.
There are a couple of things that must happen first. It is important for the welfare of your students that all parents wishing to volunteer do before coming onboard to volunteer.
a. A criminal background check form has to be signed for each volunteer who has regular and frequent contact with students. In addition, volunteers will be required to provide a copy of photo identification. This is an important security protocol. All information is considered confidential.
b. Volunteers will follow all policies, procedures, and other rules established in the school and all applicable UAE laws.
c. Volunteers must sign in and out of the office and where a visitor’s badge when entering or leaving the school
d. Please wear appropriate clothes for school
e. Volunteers may not transport students other than their own children
f. Volunteers will not photograph or videotape students unless authorized.
Please check out the volunteer policy for other details.
Moving on to VOLUNTEERING!
Below are a few suggestions that will offer some clear expectations and positive ways to set up roles and responsibilities for parents to volunteer in the classroom. The suggestions below are only a beginning – parents who volunteer and teachers lucky enough to have this will build a great relationship over time.
Ways to Create a Positive Parent Volunteer Experience
Informed parents are involved. As a parent, you will want to get information about how to volunteer and what you will be doing in the classroom. Teachers can inform parents through emails, notes in a passport, online (and through email), about the opportunities in the classroom. Be aware about these different ways of communication; opening new electronic communication channels via email, text and social media is a teacher’s route for getting our parents interested and involved.
You as parents will want it clearly stated where, when, and what help is needed. Teachers want parents to support student learning activities such as listening to students read, reading to/with students, classroom support during centers, chaperoning, etc. Before volunteering, parents should think about what they are able to do, how often, and what they enjoy doing! Teachers will need to communicate areas where and when specific help is needed. Parents need to be able to feel comfortable to talk about this.
Specific Areas Where Your Support can be Instrumental:
Room mothers or fathers
Reading circles
Academic Centers
Volunteer shifts at the start of the day
Reading stories to the class
Field Trips
Organization of class parties
Specialized Support
Some parents may be Invited to update the class website or other electronic forms of communication
Preparing learning center materials from your home would also be truly appreciated
Creating and use of telephone chains for informative/important class updates
Just ask and see what happens!
Planning for Parental Support
Teachers NEVER want to discourage parent volunteers. They NEVER want volunteering parents to feel that they aren't needed or aren't sure what to do. If you volunteer, please be proactive about understanding how hard it may be to find enough time to prepare information or activities for volunteering parents. SO – ask questions,
A "Room Mother/father" can help assign volunteer roles to other “one of” volunteer parents, answer questions and write instructions for frequently repeated volunteer duties, such as math stations, science labs, field trips, or updating portfolios are duties that would be a HUGE help, among other things.
Always know that teachers really do appreciate parental volunteering. From helping change into swim suits, to the shepherding of small children on field trips and everything in between.
Cited:
Bantuveris, K. “5 Tips for Engaging Parent Volunteers in the Classroom.” 16 Sept 2013. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/strategies-for-engaging-parent-volunteers-karen-bantuveris
GAA Volunteer Policy 2014/15
Primary Years Program News
IB PYP Learner Profile Of the Month
What is an IB PYP School?
It is a school that, regardless of location, size or constitution, strives towards developing an internationally minded person.
What is an internally minded person?
It is a person who demonstrates the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
The aim of the IB PYP is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
IB PYP Learners strive to be inquirers, communicators, caring and more in their goal to become internationally minded.
In conjunction with our Culture of Kindness, we are keen for our students to develop the IB Learner Profile, inside and outside of the classroom. Therefore we would like to ask our parents to support our goal and encourage your child to develop these attributes. Every month, we will be posting ideas in the newsletter that you can share with your child to develop their IB Learner Profile. If you have questions about the IB Learner Profile, please do not hesitate to speak with your classroom teacher or the IB PYP Coordinator, Sofia Lyons.
What is an IB PYP School?
It is a school that, regardless of location, size or constitution, strives towards developing an internationally minded person.
What is an internally minded person?
It is a person who demonstrates the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
The aim of the IB PYP is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
IB PYP Learners strive to be inquirers, communicators, caring and more in their goal to become internationally minded.
In conjunction with our Culture of Kindness, we are keen for our students to develop the IB Learner Profile, inside and outside of the classroom. Therefore we would like to ask our parents to support our goal and encourage your child to develop these attributes. Every month, we will be posting ideas in the newsletter that you can share with your child to develop their IB Learner Profile. If you have questions about the IB Learner Profile, please do not hesitate to speak with your classroom teacher or the IB PYP Coordinator, Sofia Lyons.
IB Learner Profile for the month of November is OPEN MINDED
Students will understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories. They are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view and are willing to grow from the experience.
Activities for Parents:
• Encourage your child to try out new things- new food, new games and new activities.
• Expose your child to different festivals, celebrations and traditions and be sure to present them in a non-judgmental way.
• Encourage your child to really listen to others when they speak.
Students will understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories. They are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view and are willing to grow from the experience.
Activities for Parents:
• Encourage your child to try out new things- new food, new games and new activities.
• Expose your child to different festivals, celebrations and traditions and be sure to present them in a non-judgmental way.
• Encourage your child to really listen to others when they speak.