We are thrilled that our school has been shortlisted for the Top Schools Award for Best American School and Best Blended IB School in the United Arab Emirates 2023-2024! 

The Top Schools Awards was established in 2017 with the single aim of recognising and praising the schools and educators who achieve so much for the region’s children, young men and young women. 

Stay tuned on June 19th for the list of finalists!

Curriculum can be confusing or something that parents don’t always have a clear understanding of. At GAA, we use the AERO standards which are the American Core Curriculum for International Schools. This curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive education that prepares students for success in their academic and personal lives.

One of the strengths of our curriculum is its focus on critical thinking skills. Our teachers are trained to encourage students to think deeply about what they are learning, ask questions, and make connections between different subjects. This approach helps students develop problem-solving skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Another strength of our curriculum is its emphasis on creativity and innovation. We believe that every child has unique talents and abilities, and we strive to create an environment where those talents can flourish. Our teachers use a variety of teaching methods and materials to engage students in hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity and inspire new ideas.

The benefits of an American curriculum extend beyond individual schools or communities; it has global implications as well. Our students are preparing for a new world and careers of the future. Access to a more holistic and whole child approach promotes skills in students that will help them in careers and pathways of the future. 

By providing your children with an American-curriculum education at our school you not only prepare them for future opportunities globally for secondary school and careers in the UAE and across the globe. 

Parents play an essential role in supporting their children's education. By staying involved with your child's progress through regular communication with teachers , attending parent-teacher conferences regularly  reviewing homework assignments together you can help ensure they get the most out of their time spent studying under this rigorous yet rewarding system. 

Aero American Curriculum Standards provides a strong foundation for student success both academically and personally while preparing them for future opportunities internationally .We encourage parents' active engagement so that together we may support each child’s growth towards reaching his/her full potential.

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

Standards-Based Learning at GAA

Dear Parents of GEMS American Academy,

We hope this newsletter finds you and your families healthy and happy. As we head towards the end of the academic year, we wanted to take a moment to discuss an important approach to learning that we use here at our school: Standards-Based Learning. Just this past Tuesday, I had the pleasure of speaking to GAA parents in our planetarium about Standards-Based Learning. I thought it would be valuable to share some of the information with the greater community.

At GEMS American Academy, we believe in a student-centered approach to education that empowers our students to take ownership of their learning and responsibility for their learning. Standards-Based Learning is a key component of this approach, as it allows our students to focus on specific learning targets rather than simply aiming for good grades.

So, what is Standards-Based Learning? In simple terms, it is an approach to teaching and learning that focuses on identifying specific learning standards or targets and then assessing student progress towards these targets. This approach ensures that our students have a clear understanding of what they are expected to learn and allows them to track their progress towards these goals.

One of the key benefits of Standards-Based Learning is that it helps our students stay focused on their specific learning targets. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the idea of getting a good grade or passing a test, our students are able to concentrate on mastering specific skills and concepts. This allows them to approach their learning with a growth mindset and to take pride in their progress, even if they haven't yet achieved mastery. We know that everyone learns at different rates, so we ensure that students have the opportunity to reasses if possible. Remember, even if you failed your driving test four times, you still got the same license as everyone else - it just took you longer.

Another important aspect of Standards-Based Learning is that it encourages a deeper level of learning. Rather than simply memorizing information for a test, our students are encouraged to truly understand and apply what they are learning. This approach prepares our students for real-world situations where they will need to use their knowledge in a meaningful way.

At GEMS American Academy, we believe that Standards-Based Learning is essential for helping our students reach their full potential. By focusing on specific learning targets, our students are able to develop a growth mindset, take ownership of their learning, and build the skills and knowledge they need to succeed both in school and beyond.

We encourage you to talk to your children about Standards-Based Learning and to ask their teachers how you can support your child's progress towards their learning targets. We believe that by working together, we can help our students achieve their goals and become lifelong learners.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school and our students.

Sincerely,

Justin Kirby

K-12 Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Hello KG families and friends,

This week our students went on a field trip to Little World Discovery Centre in Nation Towers.  The experience extended and enhancesd the learning that is currently taking place in our classroom in connection to our new Unit of Inquiry – How the World Works. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experiential learning activities such as the Little Village Role Play, Touch Tank Aquarium, Art & Design Studio and Indoor Playground Area.  We participated in a science experiment, where we made toothpaste for an elephant!  It was a wonderful trip from start to finish, with all our students returning home full of wonder and happy hearts.

This week we also had Ms. Alison visit our class.  We are continuing to build on our friendship making skills, and establishing common expectations when interacting with our peers in school.  

Take a look at what we got up too!

KG2C went on a wonderful adventure to Little World in Nation Towers. The day was filled with lots of fun and exciting activities. The students became scientists and made their very own elephant toothpaste. They  also experienced a live Under the Sea performance at the Black Box Theatre.  

Grade 2 - Exploring through the Library

Grade 2 students have been learning about how exploration leads to change through new understandings and discoveries.  In the Library, students have been learning to explore ideas with Pebble Go (one of our online databases).  We read about fossils, used hands-on play to observe, and continued our learning with PebbleGo to identify which fossils we might have seen.

Grade 2 students will also be taking part in an author visit by Ebtisam Al Beiti on May 22nd.  Ebtisam’s book is about a special sloth, so we have been reading books and using PebbleGo to find out more about what makes sloths special!  Did you know that the sloth is the slowest mammal in the world?

Grade 5 - We are Researchers

Grade 5 students have begun researching for their upcoming PYP Exhibition!  In the Library we are developing our skills for identifying and using a variety of resources to support student inquiries.  Grade 5 students are practicing self-management, communication, and research skills in this final project! You won’t want to miss their PYPx Day in June!

Grade 1 has enjoyed using clay so much! They rolled a ball and pinched, pinched, pinched to make their very own little bowl, called a “Pinch Pot.” Pottery art can be found in every country around the world! It is one of the oldest art forms that is still continued today. Students enjoyed molding and shaping their pot, adding texture and patterns with tools and then painting it with their favorite colors. Great job Grade 1! Take a look at some of their work.

تكريم الطلبة  من الصّف الأول والصّف الثّاني المتميزون في مسابقة شهر رمضان المبارك للإجابة عن جميع الأسئلة الدينية العامة بطريقة صحيحة. 

Honoring the outstanding students in the holy month of Ramadan competition (the competition that students answered all the general questions about Islam correctly)

Great job, Grade 5 non-native Arabic Class students, in Advertisement unit.

• May 19-20: Used Book Sale by GAA Parent Association

• May 29 - June 2: Teacher Appreciation Week by GAA Parent Association

• June 13-14: KG2 Promotion Ceremonies

• June 13: PYP Exhibition by Grade 5 @4:30pm

• June 15: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony @1pm

• June 26: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL