Sincerely,

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

Learning to Guide Education

What do we know about learning that can guide the way we educate our students?

This is quite a question, but one that is continually being addressed by our teachers and administration here at GEMS American Academy. In chapter one of Learning-Driven Schools: A Practical Guide for Teachers and Principals (2006), Barry Beers begins with this important essential question. He asks, “what do we know about learning that can guide the way we educate our students” (Beers, 2006, p. 7). As we move forward with the first half of a new school year, we have had the chance during our leadership and teacher meetings to ask this question. The main theme that is fairly consistent in these discussions is related to teaching strategies and assessment methods.

Beers points out that, “certain routines are too entrenched” and that “we teach as we were taught” (2006, p. 7). I believe that the teachers here at GAA do not fall under this description. We as educators have teaching strategies for content, differentiation, assessments, and more. These are the tools that we have, develop, celebrate and promote. But what makes GAA unique, is that our teaching staff is so diverse. With a continued focus on innovative teaching methods, our educational discussions about best practice allow teams the chance to pick and choose from the best strategies from around the globe. The perspectives and experiences of our teachers are truly important and valued and help to make GAA the great learning community that it is.

When trying to make changes in our own teaching, we tend to look at other teaching strategies as a way of experimenting. It seems obvious, but we are all trying to ensure our students can learn. So, how do we focus on learning instead of teaching? As a highly qualified and experienced teaching staff, we have the opportunity to use a growth-mindset to shift the focus from teaching to learning. Beers suggests creating a meaningful relationship between the student and the information (2006). By creating authentic assessments that are based on Approaches to Learning (ATLs) and Learner Profile Traits, and not just content, the students will experience how their learning is valuable in their life outside of school.

While in school, learning how to dribble a basketball, for example, will help the student better understand and experience the unit’s essential question, big idea, or key concepts - but it is not the only end goal or skill that we want them to work on. In fact, there is something much bigger. Teamwork, sportsmanship, determination, and effort are really the focus. This may be Self-Management, Organization, or Communication if we are discussing ATLs. These skills, like conflict management as referee, and leadership as a coach/captain, are the valuable skills that will positively affect students’ lives beyond the PE classroom.

As educators at GAA, we decide that a focus on learning is crucial. What would a successful focus on learning look like when considering all of this? You may see differentiated assessments where students use their own strengths, experiences and perspectives to achieve the objectives. You may see students as part of the assessment process. You may see differentiated products, or students choosing how to demonstrate their understanding. For example, some students may write an essay while others put on a skit. Some may create a video with narration while some analyze statistical data and present their findings. By differentiating assessments teachers can see how students have learned. Beers reminds us that “our assessments, too, should recognize the diversity of intelligences that exist” (2006, p. 12). GEMS American Academy is very diverse with experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. This is used to our advantage and helps to make us great!

Justin Kirby

K-12 Director of Curriculum and Instruction

References

Beers, B. (2006). Learning-driven schools: A practical guide for teachers andprincipals.Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision of Curriculum and Development

What is play-based learning in Early Years and why is it so important for children?

One of my favorite things about GAA and one of the biggest reasons I joined was the school’s approach and their dedication to best practice in the Early Years. The UAE’s vision for learning targets Early Years specifically and the need for developmentally appropriate practice, but what does that mean for a 3-5 year old?

People (at all ages) learn through encountering things that don’t make sense to them. We encounter a problem and our brains fall into the state of disequilibrium. As we muddle through finding the answers, our brain creates new synapses that remember the answers and understand the world around us a little bit better. Our brains ‘construct’ new understanding, which is a fundamental piece of the IB journey. This idea of ‘constructivism’, as coined by Jean Piaget, is the idea that learners construct their own understandings instead of learning through passive instruction.

So what does that mean for our youngest learners and why is it so important? Our early years team creates learning environments that are set up based on this principal of constructivism. They craft learning engagements (inquiries) that allow children to encounter problems and allow them to find solutions. Their biggest job is scaffolding and supporting as our students make sense of the world around them.

Children learn best through first-hand experiences—play motivates, stimulates and supports children in their development of skills, concepts, language acquisition, communication skills, and concentration. During play, children use all of their senses, must convey their thoughts and emotions, explore their environment, and connect what they already know with new knowledge, skills and attitudes.

It is in the context of play that children test out new knowledge and theories. They reenact experiences to solidify understanding, and challenge the world around them by constructing their own understandings of situations- a journey through all of their learning.

We are excited to have you join us along that journey!

Lauren Sargent

PreK-Grade 2 Vice Principal

From 21st of November 2022 until May 2023, GAA will host advanced swimming training for students from Grades 1-5. These are competitive swimming teams and are for students interested in representing the GAA in competitions. This is not a “Learn to Swim “ program.

Due to limited spaces, swimmers will be required to meet specific stroke requirement skills and endurance to participate in this opportunity.

Tryout days are:

• Grades 1-2 and 3-4 Teams: Monday 14th and Wednesday 16th of November from 3:05 to 4:15pm.

• Grades 4-5 Teams: Tuesday 15th and Thursday 17th of November from 3:05 to 4:15pm.

To register your child for this competitive level swimming tryout, please use this LINK.

For more details please check out below slide.

Greetings from KG1C,

We are settling back into our routines after midterm break. Our little learners are thoroughly enjoying participating in a wide variety of play-based learning engagements and we are seeing wonderful learning in our classroom. We have been tuning in to our Unit of Inquiry, Who We Are, which has encouraged students to make connections between themselves and their friends. We are finding out a lot about what we look like and how we are the same and different.

Ms. Alison came in to work with our class during our UOI. We worked on our communication skills, social skills and self-management skills. We were also introduced to Kelso Choices – a tool for teaching conflict resolution skills.

We also had lots of fun participating in our first dress down day, DOT Day, to celebrate international dot day.

We are excited to continue our learning journey!

It has been a fun time here in KG2D settling in to our new classroom, making new friends and learning all of our new routines. We’ve read lots of wonderful stories, played lots of games and are super excited for the rest of the term!

The students in 1B are currently in the middle of their Unit of Inquiry: How We Organize Ourselves. The boys and girls in 1B have been busy exploring the roles and responsibilities of members in our communities. They are inquiring into how each of these members are interconnected and depend on each other. They are having lots of fun with this unit! The children have engaged in activities such as dress up games to working as a team in the Maker Space. At the end of the month, the Grade 1 students will visit KidZania in Yas Mall to further inquire into the roles of community helpers.

Grade 2 Nonnatives Arabic Class students are learning about My Family, introducing myself and My friend as a part of their unit of enquiry How We Organize Ourselves. Please take a moment to view how they are introducing themselves in Arabic language. Well done!

طلاب الصف الثاني الغير ناطقين باللغة العربية يطبقون فيديو عملي على التعريف عن النفس وأنا وأسرتي باللغة العربية بعد الانتهاء من الوحدة الأولى (كيف ننظم أنفسنا). أَحسنتم طلاب الصف الثاني !!

Physical Education/Swimming is where students learn how to be active for a lifetime.

Our Grade 1-3 students were happy to start the school year in the swimming pool with a big SPLASH. We have completed the first cycle of Swimming, and we are very proud to share our amazing performance over the past weeks. The students have worked extremely hard to build up their confidence in the water while learning and improving lifesaving skills. We have shown knowledge of floating, streamlining, jumping, and working on stroked development.

Moving forwards Gr.1-3 students Physical Education classes will focus on building locomotor skills and how to be fair and RESPECT others.

Students will be working on different motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

Everyone is a WINNER, when the focus is to have FUN!!!!

Why are there so many people from all over the world living here in the UAE? Why have people left their countries and chosen Abu Dhabi to be their home?

These are some of the questions grade 5B are in the process of answering. Our UOI unit : Human Migration has allowed us to go deeper into understanding the risks, challenges and opportunities of human migration. Students have been busy reflecting and connecting on their own migration stories and the impact on migration in their lives.

For the end of unit project, students are sharing their understanding of the central idea and lines of inquiry through different forms. Creating google forms, travel brochures, and performing Interviews, Ted Talks, and videos. It has been a fun time for 5B students in working on their projects, I look forward to seeing some amazing finished projects.

Share your migration story, listening and learning from others creates understanding and empathy.

• October 24: Grade 3-5 Parent Coffee with Principals, 8-9 am @GAA Auditorium

• October 28: Dress Down Day. PreK-Grade 5 theme: Real Life Heroes

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

• November 1: GAAPA Board Meeting (all parents are welcome)

• November 3: UAE Flag Day Celebration at GAA

• November 9-11: Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences (no classes in session)

• November 14-18: Great Kindness Challenge

• November 14-18: Little Thinker Book Fair

• November 22: 1st Grade Art Festival

• November 26: Fall Family Fun by GAAPA

• November 29: UAE National Day Celebration at GAA