Cedar Newsletter

WEEK 19

As we gear up for the half-term holiday, just a week and a half ahead, we are set to make the next weeks memorable, brimming with activities and events that promise to add an extra layer of excitement before our well-deserved break.

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who have been talking to me at the gates in the morning and coming in to see me to offer feedback and ideas on areas for us to focus on as a School. The School-Home Parent partnership is of utmost importance as we move Cedar School forward. Your support and  engagement in events, meetings and workshops reinforces our shared commitment to providing the best possible educational experience for our students.

I have been delighted to see so much learning across the School this week. Assemblies across the week have seen the Cedar School values reinforced to all students and it's been lovely to see many students practising being 'Respectful' - our value from last week. Today FS2 joined the KS1 assembly to showcase their learning, sharing a song with the older children. Earlier in the week, Year 5s had an enriching session in our new Science lab getting to know the new space and the new equipment. Yesterday, the Year 4s did a fantastic job of presenting their projects to the senior team and today, I had a queue of Year 2 students sharing their fruit salads with me - a culmination of their Friday project....we most definitely have some up and coming chefs in the school!

Looking forward, the upcoming weeks are packed with energy as we prepare to dive into our Cedar Sports Day on the 12th  - for all year groups. Students are asked to wear house colours on sports day - please email your class teachers if you're not sure what house your child belongs to. 

Additionally, we're excited to recognise Safer Internet Day on Tuesday the 6th. This is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate responsible digital use. There will also be a parent workshop on the day on about cyber safety which we would love for all of you to join, details of which can be found below.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend ahead. 

Please note the dates below for your diary.

Dear Parents, this week we have been learning all about plants, and asking the children what do plants need to grow? This lets the children expand their understanding of the world and how to look after and care for living things.  

We are reading the book "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle and the children were exploring activities related to the book. They cut out flower shapes and painted flowers.

In maths matching numerals and amounts and practising wring numbers upto 5.

Please send in seeds, small plant pots, spare soil and any plants you may have. 

Thank you have a nice weekend 

Ms Ora and Ms Lisa

Dear parents,

We hope this letter finds you well.

This week’s highlight was our picnic, where we replicated Teddy’s picnic from the story of ‘Whatever Next’ as a celebration of the end of our ‘Space topic’. The children enjoyed dressing up the colour they would go in  to the Moon, and they happily shared their teddies with each other. Thank you so much for your generous contributions.

This week in Maths our focus was taking away. Most of the children understand that when we are doing a subtraction our number is getting less and we must count backwards.

In phonics, we had a phonics screening which showed that the majority of the children could recognise and say most of the sounds we learnt. The next step is sounding out and blending short words.

Here is the list of the sounds we have covered: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r ,h, b, f, ff, l,  ll, ss

Tricky/sight words: I, the, he, she, me, we, be, to, was

As part of our topic, we explored and created different sized of craters. We talked about how they were formed and what factors could affect the size of a crater.

 Next week, we are going to start a new topic, leaving space and zooming back to Earth, to explore what Earth has to offer us.

If you go for a walk over the weekend, can you collect different types and colours of leaves

 ( dried leaves as well), twigs or any other plants and bring them to school on Monday.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Ms Anita, Ms Rene and Ms Inge

Dear parents, 

Another week in year 1 gone by full of learning, In English we read a classic folktale Pinocchio, focusing on retelling the story and looking at its features which are similar to fairytales. We focused on finding problems, solutions and the happy ending retelling the story in words and writing. We also looked at morals of the story. 

In Phonics, we learned about the magic e and the long vowel sounds a-e, e-e. 

In Maths, we continued learning about the place value of numebrs up to 20. Students are becoming more confident with the language of tens and ones understanding the value of digits. We will be moving on to addition and subtraction within 20 building on this knowledge. 

In Science, we zoomed into Autumn and Winter creating an environment for our new friend Penguin. Discussing weather changes across the seasons and daylight lenght changes. 

For Humanitites, we recapped the 7 continents including their name and location as well as an introduction to our 5 oceans. 

This week we focused on our school value (Risk-Taking). We encourage our children to be resilient, risk-taking, respectful, responsible, reflective, resourceful and responsive. 

We hope you all have a lovely weekend :) 

Kind regards, 

Ms Samy, Ms Mariia, Ms Nicola 

Dear Year 2 Parents,

We hope this newsletter finds you well. It's been an exciting couple of weeks in the Year 2 classrooms, filled with engaging activities and valuable learning experiences. Here's a recap of what your children have been up to in each subject:

Mathematics: Working with Money

In our mathematics lessons, the focus has been on practical applications of mathematical concepts. The children have been learning about money – counting, making change, and understanding the value of different coins. We've incorporated fun activities and games to make the learning experience both enjoyable and educational.

English: Adverbs, Commas, Subordination

In English, we've delved into the intricacies of language. The children have been exploring adverbs, learning about their role in sentences and how they enhance the meaning of verbs. Additionally, we've covered the correct usage of commas and introduced the concept of subordination, helping the students build more complex and varied sentences.

Geography: More about the UK and Human/Physical Geographical Features

Our geography lessons have been a journey across the United Kingdom. We've expanded our knowledge about the UK, exploring both human and physical geographical features. From bustling cities to scenic landscapes, the students are gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse characteristics that make the UK unique.

Science: How Plants Adapt to Their Habitats

In science, the focus has been on the fascinating world of plants and their ability to adapt to different habitats. The children have explored various plant adaptations, discussing how different species have evolved to thrive in specific environments. Hands-on experiments and observations have made this topic come alive in the classroom.

MSC: Toys of the Past

In our MSC sessions, we've been taking a trip down memory lane by exploring the history of toys. The children have learned about toys from the past, comparing them to contemporary playthings. This interdisciplinary approach has not only enriched their historical understanding but also integrated elements of music, art, and social studies into the curriculum.

We're proud of the progress and enthusiasm your children have shown in their learning journey over the past two weeks. If you have any questions or would like more information on any of the subjects covered, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best regards,

Year 2 Teaching Team

Dear parents,

This week in science, we explored different types of soil and investigated how organic matter decomposes in nature. Next week, the students will expand on their understanding of soil types and revisit their learning units on the human skeleton and the workings of muscles in the body.

In English this week, students have been reading and investigating their guided reading books, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Next week, they will continue with their novels and review various themes and characters.

In mathematics, we used this week to recap multiplication and division, ensuring we conclude the unit on a high note. Next week, we will apply what we have learned and then proceed to the topic of measurements, specifically millimetres to centimetres and centimetres to meters.

In Humanities, we delved deeper into Ancient Egypt, exploring different Pharaohs and their tombs. Next week, we will take a closer look at the mummification process.

Year 3 Teaching Team

Dear Parents and Carers,

Once again, what a fabulous week of learning in Year 4. Firstly, we are super proud of all the projects that the children have created and with the way they have presented their learning in a mature manner. Their presentation skills and pronunciation of words has really improved. Well done Year 4! It was also a pleasure to have Ms. Rana, Ms. Deeba and Ms. Elza  watch some Year 4 children presenting their projects. We truly are impressed by their work.

In our writing lessons this week, our writers have immersed themselves into the world of poetry. They have analysed poems, compared poems by identifying figurative language such as similes and metaphors. Next week, our learners will build on the knowledge acquired and apply the skills taught to start planning a class poem.

For our reading lessons this week, our readers are well on the way to discovering how Dorothy and ‘crew’ will get to meet Oz. It is lovely to see, children taking pleasure in their reading and enjoying the text. In addition to this, their reading skills are being enhanced further as they are inferring to the text to support their answers. We will continue with the same next week.

For our Maths lessons this week, it has been all about distances. Our mathematicians have learnt how to convert between kilometres and metres using partitioning methods. In addition to this, they have applied their knowledge of measures to solving a range of reasoning questions. Next week, our mathematicians will be focusing on fractions, finding tenths and hundredths of a number. Please refer to the knowledge organiser sent on Google Classroom to help our children to prepare for the learning ahead.

For our Science lessons this week, our young scientists have applied their understanding of how heat can cause solids to change to liquids and vice versa. They have also identified material that melt at different temperatures and have explained why this happens. We will continue with investigating how material change state next week.

For our MSC lesson this week, we have begun our new unit of cultures. The students gave examples of different cultures, looked at the differences between visible and invisible cultures and linked the different cultures to their own culture. They worked collaboratively to make notes, which is a skill that is developing well in Year 4. Our learners will continue with the topic of culture and make comparisons between different cultures.

For our Humanities lessons this week, our learners, dug deep into the world of volcanoes. They are able to name parts of a volcano, identify types of volcanoes and have explained the effect of volcanoes on people’s lives. We are really enjoying this topic in Year 4! Next week, we will be moving onto earthquakes.

 As a final note, please ask the children to consolidate the learning by reviewing the learning materials which is sent weekly on Google Classroom.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always thank you for your support.

Year 4 Team

Dear parents and Carers,

This week our students have been enthusiastically immersing themselves in various subjects, hands-on activities, and expanding their horizons.

In the realm of science, our curious minds have been delving into the properties of thermal and electrical conductors. This past week, the science lab was abuzz with excitement as students constructed circuits. Next week, they'll explore various materials to identify the most effective conductor among them. Some children have brought in their great designs for lunch boxes using suitable materials to keep their food cool.

Our young readers have been developing their skills in interpreting perspectives, particularly focusing on Auggie's viewpoint through dialogue, actions, and thoughts. Next week, we'll venture into the captivating character of Miranda, promising an equally enriching experience.

Our aspiring poets have embarked on an exciting journey into narrative poetry. Collaboratively drafting a shared narrative poem, they're set to unleash their creativity in the coming week.

Our MSC curriculum has been focusing on conflict resolution, with students exploring diverse styles and engaging in role-playing scenarios emphasising compromise. Responsibility will be the theme of the upcoming week, fostering crucial life skills.

As we bid farewell to our exploration of Russia, our geography enthusiasts are embarking on a new adventure. Assigned with the Africa Travel Blog project, students will be taking virtual journeys through the diverse landscapes of Africa.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Regards

Ms Karen and Ms Ayesha

Dear Parents,

We continue our exploration of the topic of evolution with our Year 6 students.

This week, we delved into the theory of evolution and examined various pieces of evidence supporting this concept.

Additionally, we engaged in hands-on activities in the science lab, focusing on topics such as inheritance and evolution.

The enthusiasm and interest displayed by our students towards the science curriculum are truly encouraging. Thank you for your ongoing support.

The students showed great enthusiasm and engaged in various activities that enhanced their understanding in Maths lessons.

Wishing you a delightful weekend ahead!

Rasha & Vani

Dear Parents,

We're extending our study of chemistry with our Year 7 students.

This week, we delved into understanding the three states of matter. Furthermore, we modelled the arrangement of particles in each state of matter.

The students' enthusiasm and interest in the science curriculum have been highly motivating. We appreciate your continuous support. 

As we navigate through another week of learning and growth, we have some exciting updates and important information in Maths lessons to share with you.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Best regards,

Rasha and Vani

Dear Parents,

We're expanding our exploration of chemistry with our Year 8 students. This week, we focused on comprehending pure substances. Students successfully distinguished between elements and compounds. Students also modelled elements and compounds in the science lab.

The students' keen interest and enthusiasm for the science and Maths curriculum have been incredibly inspiring. We are grateful for your ongoing support.

Wishing you a fantastic weekend ahead!

Warm regards,

Rasha and Vani

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته 

تعلمنا هذا الاسبوع في صف الروضة صوت و شكل حرف الدال , كما تعلمنا كلماات تبدأ بالحرف مثل دب ودراجة. وراجعنا الحروف السابقة من حرف أ الى حرف خ .يرجى تديب اطفالنا على الكتابة في المنزل قدر المستطاع. 

في حال وجود اي سؤال او استفسار يرجى التواصل معي  rawabi@cedarschool.ae 

اتمنى لكم نهاية اسبوع سعيدة اعزائي.

روابي 

الصف الأول: 

تعلمنا هذا الاسبوع في الصف الاول حرف ( ض ) , كتابة  وصوت الحرف بالاضافة الى اشكال الحرف في اول ووسط واخر الكلمة , كما اخبرتهم ان اللغة العربية تدعي ايضا بلغة  الضاد ( يرجع السبب وراء تسميتها بذلك الاسم إلى أن حرف الضاد هو حرف يختص به العرب وحدهم، ونادرا ما نستخدمه في اللغات الثانية)

تعلمنا كتابة حرف ض مع الحركات القصيرة والطويلة.

يرجى التدرب على كتابة الحرف قدر المستطاع  في المنزل و حث الاطفال على تكلم اللغة  العربية. 

في حال وجود اي سؤال او استفسار يرجى التواصل معي  rawabi@cedarschool.ae 

اتمنى لكم نهاية اسبوع سعيدة اعزائي.

روابي 

الصف الثاني: 

تعلمنا في هذا الأسبوع في الصف الثاني (قصة سمسم يحب السكر) وتعرفنا معه أشكال حرف السين وميزنا خلال القصة أصوات حرف السين مع المدود القصيرة والطويلة، كما تعرفنا على ملامح شخصيات القصة، وتتبعنا أحداثها، وتعرفنا على كاتب القصة.

يرجى التدرب على كتابة الحرف قدر المستطاع  في المنزل و حث الاطفال على تكلم اللغة  العربية. 

في حال وجود اي سؤال او استفسار يرجى التواصل معي  m.sheikh@cedarschool.ae  

أتمنى لكم نهاية اسبوع سعيدة اعزائي.

الصف الثالث:

الصف الرابع:

تعلمنا في هذا الأسبوع في الصف الرابع (نشيد هيا نعمل) وتعرفنا خلاله أهمية العمل ودوره  في حياة الإنسان وبناء الوطن، كما تعرفنا على بعض الكلمات الجديدة، والأفكار الفرعية للأبيات والفكرة الرئيسية للنشيد، كما تعرفنا على اسم الشاعر. 

يرجى التدرب على كتابة الحرف قدر المستطاع  في المنزل و حث الاطفال على تكلم اللغة  العربية. 

في حال وجود اي سؤال او استفسار يرجى التواصل معي  m.sheikh@cedarschool.ae  

أتمنى لكم نهاية اسبوع سعيدة اعزائي.

الصف الخامس:

الصف السادس:

الصف السابع:

الصف الثامن:

ARABIC B

 In Arabic B classes this week, we have been engaged in learning new lessons. The students have shown notable progress in both reading and writing skills. In Year 1 and 2, we embarked on the exploration of additional letters within the alphabet, contributing to the overall growth and development of our learners.

I would like also to say a big thank you to parents for your support with homework, spellings and reading every week. 

Any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime . 

 Wish you a great weekend ahead.

Warm regards 

Islamic B

Dear Parents,

Asslamualakum!

A very productive week is coming to an end here with a lot of work and progression. My proud students left no stone unturned to meet the expectations. I am really delighted to share our class activities with you.

Y1

We learnt about the small surahs of the Holy Quran as well as the Signs of Allah's presence.

Students really enjoyed to learn new things regarding Islam.

Y2

Yr 2 learnt about the rights of family named as I Love My Parents. Students learnt their duties as well as their rights. They gave their advices as to how they can be nice and respectful to their parents.

Y3

Yr 3 learnt about the Holy Prophet PBUH best traits and Surat Quraysh. They shared the story of black stone and the problem which was solved by the Holy Prophet. They promised to follow the footsteps of the Holy Prophet PBUH.

Y4

Yr 4 learnt Surat Layl and memorized it. They practiced the Surah in the class and explained its meanings.

Y5

Yr 5 learnt about the Kind Treatment. They discussed the meaning of relevant Hadith to deepen their knowledge.

Y6

Yr 6 learnt about the biography of Fatima Bint Abdul Malik. They explained her different biographical elements and family background. 

Y7

Yr 7 learnt about the biography of Imam Malik Bin Anas R.A. They explained his different biographical elements and services for Islam. 

Y8

Yr 8 learnt about the Arab Islamic Civilization. They shared their previous knowledge about the topic and paid special attention to the services of UAE to maintain their civilization. 

Bonjour à tous! (Hello everyone!)*

We are thrilled to share the latest updates and happenings in our French class. The past few weeks have been filled with exciting activities and enriching learning experiences.

**Featured Lessons**

- Les Mois et Les Saisons de l'Année:  We've been exploring the days of the week ,the months of the year and the corresponding seasons in French. From understanding the pronunciation to discussing our favorite seasons, our students have shown great enthusiasm for this topic.More topics for the upper grades : les vêtements ( clothes  ) "la description des saisons " ,"la négation" , "les types et les formes de phrases" ( Grammar) .

**Student Spotlight **

We'd like to spotlight some of our enthusiastic learners who have shown exceptional dedication and progress in their French studies. Bravo à tous!

As always, we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions, feedback, or suggestions. We're here to support your language learning journey and make your experience in our French class enjoyable and rewarding.

      {Mrs .Sabrine korbi }

                         French teacher 

Dear Families,

In this week's ICT lessons, students engaged in the PASS survey. Following the completion of the survey, we seamlessly transitioned into an engaging and educational activity, making the most of our time. Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were rewarded with certificates upon completing the course on code.org.

Year 1 through Year 8 students predominantly pursued certifications, with Year 1 and 2 focusing on typing and painting. The creativity showcased in their digital paintings was truly remarkable. Additionally, some students delved into typing lessons, showcasing a diverse range of skills.

The post-survey period provided an excellent opportunity for students to channel their energies into these enriching activities. We are proud of the achievements and enthusiasm displayed by our students during this week of ICT lessons.

Dear Parents

I am excited to share some thoughts about art with you. How you can help your child to become a better artist at home. Art is really important in our life and opening the world of art to your child is a way of giving him/her a gift for a lifetime. Art gives children multiple ways to express themselves. First they can learn to express their thoughts and feelings through art. This is especially valuable for young children who are just developing their language skills. Art can give them another way to express themselves. Second, encouraging children to discover their artistic inspiration builds the foundation for success in reading and writing, and builds self-confidence and social skills. Third, art helps children see that there are always fresh ways of looking at familiar things.  Allow them to create some drawing or painting at home in their free time. and discuss with them their feelings and appreciate them for their creativity.

Talking about Art

One single piece of art can be the starting point for an amazing conversation with your child if you ask your child these great questions. Remember to tell your child that there are no right answers.

• Tell me what you see.

• How does this work of art make you feel?

• What do you think about this work of art?

• What do you think is the story of this work of art?

These questions can open new ways for you to talk with and listen to your child. You can even learn things about your child's way of seeing and understanding their world. Enjoying art together can bring you a little closer, too. These practices at home will help them improve their skills and they will start seeing art in different perspective.  Together we can provide our kids more opportunities to be more creative. 

Please feel free to reach to me to discuss anything about art or progress your child at my e mail address below.

saima@cedarschool.ae

Looking forward to working with you shaping future artists.

Regards,

Saima Furqan 

Art and Design Teacher Y1-Yr8

Dear Parents,

This week has mostly been an extention of what we have been learning in the last 3-4 weeks. Year 1 has begun to play rhymes like Mary had a little lamb using the notes from C to G on the Xylophones. Year 2 is now learning to confidently play rhythmic patterns notated using block notations. Year 3 is learning to perform rhymes notated using block notations. 

Year 4 and 6 has begun to create rhythm patterns in various time signatures and converting those rhythm patterns into melodies by using note names sugguested by the teacher. Soon they will experiment with writing their own note names as part of simple compositions and ear training. They will be using chromatic xylophones and/or keyboards to test their compositions. This will also give students an opportunity to work in pairs or larger groups and exchange ideas. Year 7 and 8 are learning some basic concepts to prepare themselves to learn to play th ukulele.

Best regards,

Franky

In this week's Physical Education updates, our Cedar students have been actively engaged in a diverse range of activities across different age groups.

 In Foundation Stage, little ones explored shapes, practiced balancing exercises, and participated in fun-filled games. 

Moving on to Key Stage 1, students focused on the art of dancing with a special emphasis on tempo, along with engaging in body-shaping exercises to create a human alphabet. 

Key Stage 2 students took their creativity to new heights by crafting their own unique dance routines, showcasing a broader range of dance styles. Simultaneously, our dedicated boys have been honing their skills on the field in preparation for the upcoming football fixtures post-midterm holiday. We are immensely proud of the remarkable efforts exhibited by our Cedar students in the realm of Physical Education.

 Additionally, our after-school program continues to run smoothly, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents and staff whose unwavering support contributes to the success of our beloved students. Thank you for your commitment and enthusiasm. 

Regards, 

Suliman Zawahreh 

 Marwa Maged.