News From the Elementary Principal Ben Voborsky
Hello GAA community
As I write this en route to snowy Iowa, I have been reflecting on what strong teachers we have at our school and what I am looking for in new GAA faculty. They should excel at collaboration, communication and community building. Teachers not only need to build in their classroom community and the overall GAA community but GAA's professional community. This is done through collaborative planning time and other professional development opportunities.
I want to thank all the teachers who gave up their Saturday to attend the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (https://www.nwea.org/) regional training that was hosted at GAA. Teacher and teacher leaders joined educators from the UAE in further developing how we apply our MAP data to enhance student growth. The trainers continued to work with GAA staff on Sunday in interpreting and best applying the student data.
Professional development has been one of our school improvement priorities. GAA has such a talent faculty and from our Leaders of Learning List to sending teacher abroad, we support PD. I appreciate your support as well. Today, there is a fantastic set of workshops for our teachers. We have a great team at GAA and we continue to model life long learning, just as we expect for our students.
Have a great weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
As I write this en route to snowy Iowa, I have been reflecting on what strong teachers we have at our school and what I am looking for in new GAA faculty. They should excel at collaboration, communication and community building. Teachers not only need to build in their classroom community and the overall GAA community but GAA's professional community. This is done through collaborative planning time and other professional development opportunities.
I want to thank all the teachers who gave up their Saturday to attend the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (https://www.nwea.org/) regional training that was hosted at GAA. Teacher and teacher leaders joined educators from the UAE in further developing how we apply our MAP data to enhance student growth. The trainers continued to work with GAA staff on Sunday in interpreting and best applying the student data.
Professional development has been one of our school improvement priorities. GAA has such a talent faculty and from our Leaders of Learning List to sending teacher abroad, we support PD. I appreciate your support as well. Today, there is a fantastic set of workshops for our teachers. We have a great team at GAA and we continue to model life long learning, just as we expect for our students.
Have a great weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
Around Elementary School This Week..
A Visit From The Dentist!
Grade 1E’s current unit of inquiry focuses on “Making balanced choices about daily routines enables us to have healthy life styles.” We had an dentist expert come into our classroom. We learned that brushing our teeth 2 to 3 times a day will help us have healthy teeth.
Primary Years Program News
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.
Our Grade 2 Students become Leaders for Learning in our school community
As part of our IB Primary Years Programme, all our students at GAA are able to develop, acquire and apply a set of skills: social skills, communication skills, thinking skills, research skills and self management skills. These skills are valuable, not only in the units of inquiry but also for any teaching and learning that goes on within the classroom, and in life outside the school. In grade 2, the students have been learning about different habitats around the world and how human action can impact these environments. Today, our grade 2 students were given the opportunity to be leaders for learning when they presented their dioramas and in-class habitats to our younger students in KG1. The grade 2 children rose to the challenge of teaching our KG1 students. They confidently communicated their knowledge and demonstrated a caring, respectful attitude towards their very young audience members! Well done Grade 2 on sharing your knowledge and helping others to grow in their learning. Sofia Lyons IB PYP Coordinator |
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Kindergarten Corner
Eating A Rainbow - In the KG Kitchen Lab This Week
KG1I PE Lesson Taught By The Seniors!
Last 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!
Last 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!