Dear Elementary School Parents,

As a parent, one of the greatest gifts you can give your child is a love for learning. However, with so many distractions in our modern world, it can be challenging to encourage your child to prioritize their education. One effective method that has been proven time and time again is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding good behavior or accomplishments with praise or incentives, which can help children feel motivated and encouraged to continue learning. Here are some ways you can  explore how to use positive reinforcement techniques to help your child develop a lifelong love of learning.

Step 1: Identify Your Child’s Interests

The first step is to identify what your child is interested in. This can be anything from animals to sports or music. Once you know what they’re passionate about, it will be easier for you to find ways to incorporate their interests into their learning.

Step 2: Set Realistic Goals

Set realistic goals that are achievable by breaking down the larger goal into smaller ones. For example, if your child wants to learn how to play the piano, set small goals such as playing one chord at a time before moving onto more complex pieces.

Step 3: Create a Positive Learning Environment

Create a positive learning environment by providing encouragement and support throughout the process. Praise them when they do well and provide constructive feedback when necessary.

Step 4: Use Rewards Effectively

Use rewards effectively by offering incentives for good behavior or achievements. This could be something as simple as extra screen time or choosing where they want to go for dinner.

Step 5: Celebrate Achievements

Celebrate achievements with your child so that they feel proud of themselves and motivated to continue learning. You could create a chart where you track their progress towards their goals and celebrate each milestone along the way.

Tips & Tricks:

• Be patient with your child – everyone learns at their own pace.

• Make sure that the rewards are age-appropriate.

• Offer praise even for small accomplishments – this will help build confidence.

• Encourage curiosity – let them explore topics that interest them.

• Incorporate fun activities into learning whenever possible.

• Avoid negative reinforcement such as punishment or criticism – this can discourage children from wanting to learn.

Using positive reinforcement can be an effective way to encourage your child's love of learning. By creating a positive learning environment, setting realistic goals, and offering rewards for good behavior or achievements, you can help your child feel motivated and excited about learning new things. Remember to celebrate their accomplishments along the way and offer encouragement when they face challenges. With patience and support from parents like you, your child will be well on their way to becoming a lifelong learner!

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

Building Strong Relationships is a Key Support in a School’s Health and Safety Plan

Maintaining health and safety at school is an essential part of providing students with a quality education. One way to achieve this goal is by building positive relationships with students. By creating a supportive and nurturing environment, teachers can promote well-being and safety.

Building relationships with students requires a deep understanding of their needs and interests. Teachers who take the time to get to know their students on a personal level can create a positive and inclusive classroom culture. When students feel valued and respected, they are more likely to trust their teachers and report any safety concerns they may have.

Creating a safe and healthy learning environment requires the participation of all stakeholders, including teachers, students, parents, and school administrators. Teachers can build positive relationships with students by encouraging communication and feedback. Teachers should be open to hearing students' thoughts, feelings, and concerns and act on them. This can help students feel heard and validated, which can lead to increased engagement and motivation.

Promoting a sense of community in the classroom is another way to build positive relationships with students. Teachers can encourage students to work together on projects, provide opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback, and promote a culture of inclusivity and respect. By creating a supportive and collaborative classroom culture, teachers can help students feel more connected to their peers and to the school community. This can help reduce the risk of negative behaviors that can compromise student safety and well-being.

In addition to building positive relationships with students, teachers can also take practical steps to promote health and safety in the classroom. This includes implementing routines and procedures that prioritize hygiene and cleanliness. Teachers can encourage students to wash their hands regularly, sanitize shared surfaces, and wear masks when necessary. By prioritizing these basic safety measures, teachers can help reduce the spread of illness and promote a healthy learning environment.

Teachers can also promote safety by establishing clear expectations and consequences for behavior. When students understand what is expected of them and the consequences of not meeting those expectations, they are more likely to behave in a safe and respectful manner. Additionally, teachers should be consistent in enforcing these expectations to create a sense of accountability and responsibility in the classroom.

Providing resources and support for students who may be struggling is another important aspect of promoting health and safety in the classroom. Teachers can connect students with school counselors, social workers, or other resources that can provide support and assistance. This can include mental health resources, academic support, or assistance with basic needs such as food and housing. By providing these resources, teachers can help reduce the risk of negative outcomes such as dropout, absenteeism, or disengagement.

In conclusion, maintaining health and safety at school is essential for creating a positive and productive learning environment. By building positive relationships with students, educators can promote a sense of community and inclusivity that can help reduce the risk of negative behaviors and promote well-being. By taking practical steps such as promoting hygiene, establishing clear expectations, and providing resources and support, educators can help ensure that students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn.

Douglas Sherrill

Upper ES VP

The KG1A students have been learning about Sharing the Planet, and they recently wrapped up the unit by planting and taking care of a plant. The students were not only taught how to care for a plant but also how to care for a pet and the earth.

The classroom was buzzing with excitement as the students eagerly gathered around the teacher to learn about planting and the importance of taking care of plants. Each student was given a small pot and a seedling, and they were taught how to properly plant the seedling and water it regularly.

In addition to learning about plants, the students were also taught about how to care for a pet. They learned about the different needs of animals and the responsibility that comes with having a pet. We all took turns in caring for our Classroom Fish. The students were shown how to properly care for this pet, including feeding them and cleaning their living space. 

The students also learned about the importance of taking care of the Earth. They were taught about the impact of littering and the importance of recycling. They were encouraged to be mindful of their actions and to do their part in keeping the earth clean.

The students took their responsibilities very seriously, and they made sure to water their plants regularly and take care of the class pet. They were proud of their accomplishments and excited to see their plants grow.

Overall, the Sharing the Planet unit was a great success. The students learned valuable lessons about the importance of taking care of the earth, plants, and animals. They were able to apply their new knowledge by planting and taking care of a plant, which helped them develop a sense of responsibility and pride.

KG2 is so excited to be back together! This week, we have enjoyed taking time sharing with our friends all about the many adventures we had during Spring Break. Our talented writers were able to write beautiful sentences to tell about their favorite moments from the break. We have also been wrapping up our math unit all about composing and decomposing numbers within 10. We have really loved getting back into our routine and seeing all of our friends again! 

This past week, we have been learning about the upcoming Earth Day (April 22nd). Students have been inquiring into ways that they can be caring individuals and take responsibility for this wonderful planet that we live on. They have been thinkers in coming up with practical ways that they can make small changes to make a big difference in their communities. We started out the week by making green and blue playdough in the kitchen lab. We talked about the 7 continents on the Earth including the one we live on. They created the land and oceans using the playdough. In Library, we read various Earth day books. Afterwards, students were able to choose the activities they participated in. They listened to other Earth day stories in the listening center, some students made works of art in the art center, and finally, some students chose to do some Earth Day coding. It has been a wonderful first week back to school! 

اللّغة العربيّة لتلاميذ الصّف الأوّل والثّاني :  

يحرص قسم اللّغة العربيّة في المرحلة الابتدائيّة على توفير تعليمًا ذا جودة عالية للطّلبة، بالإضافة إلى رفع مستوى الطّلبة وتطوير مهاراتهم اللّغوية وتهيئتهم للتّفاعل مع متطلبات العصر الحـديث بكلّ ثقةٍ وتفـاؤلٍ.

 خلال الشّهر الماضي تمّ التّركيز على دعم مهارة القراءة عند التّلاميذ من خلال القيام بأنشطة مختلفة خلال شهر القراءة وتشجيع التّلاميذ على قراءة وتحليل أكبر عددٍ من القصص، وعلى كتابة جملٍ من تأليفهم لقراءتها وعرضها في الصّف. 

الرّابط في الأسفل يحوي صورًا لبعض الأنشطة لتلاميذ الصّف الأول والثاني.

Arabic for grade 1 and grade 2 students:

The Department of Arabic Language at the Elementary school is dedicated to provide high-quality education to students. Our main emphasis is to raise the level of students, developing their language skills, and preparing them to interact with the requirements of the modern age with confidence and optimism.

Our focus during the past month was on supporting student’s reading skills by doing various activities during the month of reading and encouraging students to read, explore the maximum number of stories, write their own sentences and to present them to their friends. 

The link below contains pictures of some of the activities from first and second graders. 

On your mark, get set, READ!  

GAA’s Read Marathon 2023 will begin for Elementary students on April 28th!

This is an independent reading challenge that encourages students to develop reading stamina (ability to read for a longer period of time) and helps students build habits for reading.

The challenge is 26 days of reading towards a selected goal.  Students may choose to participate in the “Mini Marathon” (300 minutes over 26 days), “Half Marathon” (600 minutes over 26 days), or “Full Marathon” (1200 minutes over 26 days).

Any students (PreK to Grade 5) who are interested in participating must register via Google form (available after Eid).  Medals will be awarded to students who successfully complete their challenge.

Please watch for further information via email and Seesaw from your child’s library teacher.  We are excited for our Wildcat Readers to take on this challenge!

Teacher-Librarians

PreK – G1 Jennifer Thompson j.thompson_gaa@gemsedu.com 

G2-G5 Kristine Kirby k.kirby_gaa@gemsedu.com 

Elementary Choir will begin on May 1st and end on June 23rd . It is open to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders that are interested in singing. Ms. Powell and Ms. Pugh will be directing. We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00pm – 4:00pm in Rm 165. Parents can sign their child up via ESM activities website.

Please check out the recent Update by our Student Leadership comprised of 4th and 5th graders. 

• April 18: Senior Walk

• April 20-23: Expected Eid Break (IMPORTANT! SUBJECT TO ADEK CONFIRMATION)

• April 28: Pizza and Popsicle Day by GAAPA and Booster Club

• April 29: TEDxYouth @GAA

• May 2: Grade 3 Art Festival @1:30pm Auditorium

• May 5: GAAPA Annual General Meeting @8:00am Planetarium

• May 10: Grade 2 Art Festival @1:30pm Auditorium