News from our Elementary Principal, Ben Voborsky
Hello GAA Community,
It has been another fantastic week at GAA. I must say it was a long one for our teachers as 44 of them spent last weekend in Dubai with Kath Murdoch. Kath Murdoch is an Inquiry based Education expert. It was awesome to see so many teachers applying what they learned to our classroom environments. The GAA teacher professional development Monday’s will also focus on the Inquiry Cycle.
It has been another fantastic week at GAA. I must say it was a long one for our teachers as 44 of them spent last weekend in Dubai with Kath Murdoch. Kath Murdoch is an Inquiry based Education expert. It was awesome to see so many teachers applying what they learned to our classroom environments. The GAA teacher professional development Monday’s will also focus on the Inquiry Cycle.
I am happy to say we have really been engaging parents through seesaw. We have 98% of parents signed up. A huge Thank You to our teachers and students who keep the seesaw environment content rich. I love getting the notification on my phone where I can learn something new about what is happening in my son’s classroom. I have included some analytics for you to view; the big dip was our Eid vacation!
Seriously, thank your teacher and let them know how much you love the work they are putting into seesaw! They would appreciate it and so would I.
Seriously, thank your teacher and let them know how much you love the work they are putting into seesaw! They would appreciate it and so would I.
Thank you to those parents who has expressed interest in supporting the Harvest Festival. Please remember that the Harvest Festival is coming soon and Terri Farnum is taking lead on organizing this awesome event. Contact her to volunteer at [email protected] We need parents at all grade levels especially Grade 2.
Have a great weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
Elementary Community Share
On Thursday morning, students from 3A and 5A shared some of their learning with students from other classes and grades. The children in 5A read some of their poetry, shared their All About Me boxes and demonstrated breathing techniques that people can use to help with stress relief and refocussing. The children in 3A taught the audience about why it is important to have a Growth Mindset as well as some of the vocabulary people can use to help them demonstrate a Growth Mindset. The Community Share was completed with the celebration of the students who received a Star Student award this week for their demonstration of PYP attitudes and/or IB Learner Profile attributes. You can see more photos of the event here.
On Thursday morning, students from 3A and 5A shared some of their learning with students from other classes and grades. The children in 5A read some of their poetry, shared their All About Me boxes and demonstrated breathing techniques that people can use to help with stress relief and refocussing. The children in 3A taught the audience about why it is important to have a Growth Mindset as well as some of the vocabulary people can use to help them demonstrate a Growth Mindset. The Community Share was completed with the celebration of the students who received a Star Student award this week for their demonstration of PYP attitudes and/or IB Learner Profile attributes. You can see more photos of the event here.
News from Grade 4
4D has been having an amazing first few weeks of school. In our Unit of Inquiry we will continue to learn about various body systems including the circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system and the skeletal system. The students will be conducting various forms of research through different mediums to learn more about a particular body system prior to presenting their group project to the class. To enhance our understanding of today’s technology and how it has evolved over time, the 4th graders will be going to the New York University Abu Dhabi’s Art Gallery in October to visit an exhibit on human beings and our relationships with technology.
We are encouraging students to continue to read an on level book each day to increase their fluency and stamina. Students are welcomed to check books out of the GAA library as well as our classroom library. The opinion writing papers continue to improve on a daily basis. The class continues to improve their writing skills as they enhance their skills each week.
I want to encourage parents to communicate through Seesaw or via email. Now that Seesaw is up and going, this is an excellent means of communication between us. On another note, students have received their username and password for IXL and Raz-kids. Using these resources is an excellent means for our students to master their concepts being taught.
4D has been having an amazing first few weeks of school. In our Unit of Inquiry we will continue to learn about various body systems including the circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system and the skeletal system. The students will be conducting various forms of research through different mediums to learn more about a particular body system prior to presenting their group project to the class. To enhance our understanding of today’s technology and how it has evolved over time, the 4th graders will be going to the New York University Abu Dhabi’s Art Gallery in October to visit an exhibit on human beings and our relationships with technology.
We are encouraging students to continue to read an on level book each day to increase their fluency and stamina. Students are welcomed to check books out of the GAA library as well as our classroom library. The opinion writing papers continue to improve on a daily basis. The class continues to improve their writing skills as they enhance their skills each week.
I want to encourage parents to communicate through Seesaw or via email. Now that Seesaw is up and going, this is an excellent means of communication between us. On another note, students have received their username and password for IXL and Raz-kids. Using these resources is an excellent means for our students to master their concepts being taught.
Elementary Parental Engagement Coordinator, Virginia Ingle
Dear Parents,
My name is Virginia Ingle. I am a Grade One Homeroom teacher and the Elementary Parental Engagement Coordinator. This is my second year at GAA and I’m thrilled to take on this role and work with the parent community at GAA.
Throughout the year the Parental Engagement Team will be organizing workshops and information sessions between the teachers and parents at GAA. I believe that open communication and shared knowledge will benefit our children and help establish a strong community within our school.
GAA will be hosting a Parental Engagement Week between October 16th and October 20th where staff members will lead interactive workshops at school during the school day.
Please be on the lookout for a more detailed invitation via email that will also allow you to sign up to the specific workshop(s) that you will be attending.
Here at GEMS we encourage 3aday - talk about learning, share learning experiences, and encourage learning - so please remember to implement ‘3aday’ at home. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to share successful ways in which you engage with your children or for any questions or comments.
Virginia Ingle
Grade 1- PYP Educator
Parental Engagement Coordinator- Elementary
GEMS American Academy
[email protected]
My name is Virginia Ingle. I am a Grade One Homeroom teacher and the Elementary Parental Engagement Coordinator. This is my second year at GAA and I’m thrilled to take on this role and work with the parent community at GAA.
Throughout the year the Parental Engagement Team will be organizing workshops and information sessions between the teachers and parents at GAA. I believe that open communication and shared knowledge will benefit our children and help establish a strong community within our school.
GAA will be hosting a Parental Engagement Week between October 16th and October 20th where staff members will lead interactive workshops at school during the school day.
Please be on the lookout for a more detailed invitation via email that will also allow you to sign up to the specific workshop(s) that you will be attending.
Here at GEMS we encourage 3aday - talk about learning, share learning experiences, and encourage learning - so please remember to implement ‘3aday’ at home. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to share successful ways in which you engage with your children or for any questions or comments.
Virginia Ingle
Grade 1- PYP Educator
Parental Engagement Coordinator- Elementary
GEMS American Academy
[email protected]
News from our KG Vice Principal, Sally Potts
Dear Parents,
Hats and Water Bottles Every Day!
Our KG team believes strongly in the importance of developing gross motor skills in our students. During PE and recess, our students are outside as much as possible when the weather is cool enough. Our students love being outside on the playground climbing on the apparatus and running around in the shaded areas. During PE with Miss Deniza or Miss Claire, our students are learning physical and social skills through games and lessons.
It is so important that our children be equipped for the heat here in the UAE. Please send hats and water bottles every day. Our staff encourage children to drink water throughout the day so that they stay hydrated.
We are delighted that our KG1s will start their swimming lessons soon. Our focus on safety and swimming skills can help protect our students. It’s also a terrific way to build confidence. We have a qualified swimming instructor and lifeguard who work with the PE teacher and EA to ensure that these skills are well-developed. More information will be arriving through SeeSaw.
As always, thank you for all your support of the wonderful learning in KG!
Sally Potts
KG Vice Principal
Hats and Water Bottles Every Day!
Our KG team believes strongly in the importance of developing gross motor skills in our students. During PE and recess, our students are outside as much as possible when the weather is cool enough. Our students love being outside on the playground climbing on the apparatus and running around in the shaded areas. During PE with Miss Deniza or Miss Claire, our students are learning physical and social skills through games and lessons.
It is so important that our children be equipped for the heat here in the UAE. Please send hats and water bottles every day. Our staff encourage children to drink water throughout the day so that they stay hydrated.
We are delighted that our KG1s will start their swimming lessons soon. Our focus on safety and swimming skills can help protect our students. It’s also a terrific way to build confidence. We have a qualified swimming instructor and lifeguard who work with the PE teacher and EA to ensure that these skills are well-developed. More information will be arriving through SeeSaw.
As always, thank you for all your support of the wonderful learning in KG!
Sally Potts
KG Vice Principal
KG Corner
In KG2G we are learning how to co-operate and be open-minded during our center time. Students enjoyed working together towards a common goal.
This week in kg1 we were looking at our facial features. We chose different features from others to create a 'funny face' that we thought was similar to our own. We also used different manipulative a to create our face.
This week in KG2 we have begun our new Unit of Inquiry on Sharing the Planet, for which we are focusing on Living Things. In KG2I we have been looking for living things in some stories we have read in class. We know that living things include plants, animals and people!
Islamic
In Creative Arts the Kgs have been having fun experiencing the steady beat with their bodies and with instruments. They have been exploring stories and learning to manage their bodies in relation to others during dance and drama activities.