Exploring the World through PYP Provocation Day: Cultivating Curiosity in Our Young Learners

I am excited to share some insights about the Grade 5 event that we launched this week as the culmination of our PYP - the Primary Years Programme (PYP) Provocation Day. This day holds immense value in our educational philosophy and plays a vital role in nurturing your child's curiosity and fostering a love for inquiry and conceptual learning during their primary years.

The Purpose of PYP Provocation Day for Grade 5 

PYP Provocation Day is a special occasion dedicated to sparking the imaginations of our young learners. It is designed to ignite their curiosity, stimulate their thinking, and lay the foundation for a lifelong passion for learning. This day is not just about acquiring facts or memorizing information; it is about nurturing a deep understanding of concepts and promoting independent thinking.

This week, our learners in grade 5 had a journey of exploration and discovery. They were presented with intriguing questions, challenges, and scenarios designed to pique their interest and encourage them to investigate. Our dedicated teachers will facilitate these activities and guide your child as they delve into various concepts and subjects throughout the year during their PYP exhibition project which is traditionally a mark to the end of their primary school experience. 

You may wonder why we place such importance on a single day of provocation. The answer lies in the lasting impact it can have. By introducing your child to the joy of inquiry and conceptual learning at a young age, we are sowing the seeds for a future filled with academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and a thirst for knowledge.

Your Role as Parents

As parents, your support is invaluable in reinforcing the values of inquiry and conceptual learning at home. Encourage your child to ask questions, explore their interests, and engage in discussions about the world around them. Visit museums, read books together, and take part in hands-on activities that promote curiosity and critical thinking.

PYP Provocation Day is not just an event; it is a celebration of the journey your child is embarking upon as a curious and motivated learner. We are committed to providing them with an education that goes beyond rote memorization and instills a genuine understanding of the world. Together, we can nurture their inquisitive minds and prepare them for a bright and fulfilling future.

Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of guiding your child's educational journey. We look forward to witnessing their growth, curiosity, and achievements in the years to come.

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

Dear Grade 5 parents,

If you missed the PYP Exhibition info sessions of October 23, please see below presentation. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Tiffany Pulci, PYP Coordinator at t.pulci_gaa@gemsedu.com.

Dear Elementary School Parents,

We are excited to announce the upcoming tryouts for our competitive elementary school swim teams from Gr.1 to Gr.5. This opportunity is open to swimmers who are eager to embrace the world of competitive swimming, improve their skills, and represent our school in swim meets against other schools in Abu Dhabi.

The tryouts will be during the week of 13th-16th of November after school from 3:05-4:15 pm. 

Please note that this is a competitive swim team tryout and not a learn-to-swim program. Participants are expected to meet specific skill and endurance requirements. Swimmers will be evaluated based on their age, skill level, and endurance. The coaches will make selections at their discretion if there are more candidates than available spaces.

Here are the entrance expectations for each age group:

Grades 1 & 2;

• Child's Age: As of September 1, 2023 (Under 8).

• Skill Requirements: Two Competitive Strokes - Freestyle, Backstroke, or Breaststroke.

• Endurance Requirements: Complete four laps (100 meters) continuously swim.

• Start/Dive: Not required

Grades 3 & 4;

• Child's Age: As of September 1, 2023 (Under 10).

• Skill Requirements: Three Competitive Strokes- Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, or Butterfly.

• Endurance Requirements: Swim 300 meters continuously

• Start/Dive: Required

Grades 4 & 5; 

• Child's Age: As of September 1, 2023 (Under 12).

• Skill Requirements: Four Competitive Strokes - Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly.

• Endurance Requirements: Swim 400 meters continuously

• Start/Dive: Required

• Tumble Turns: Required

Swimmers in the Under 12 age group will be timed on 50 meters for Freestyle and Backstroke, and 25 meters for the other required strokes.

We encourage all students who meet the age and skill requirements to participate in the tryouts. This is a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself. Please come prepared for the tryouts with swim attire, goggles, and a positive attitude. 

Parents, your support in helping your child prepare for the tryouts is greatly appreciated. If you think your child can meet the requirements, please use this LINK to sign-up for the tryouts.

Should you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to seeing your child at the tryouts and to potentially welcoming them to our Junior Swim Teams!

Let's make a splash together and embrace the exciting world of competitive swimming!

GAA Aquatics Director,

Ms.Iliana Jaltova

email: i.jaltova_gaa@gemsedu.com 

October has been a busy month full of changes for KG1D! During this month, our friends enjoyed a well-deserved mid-term break and upon returning, they said goodbye to their teacher Ms. Ghina and welcomed their homeroom teacher Ms. Nilo.

During these past weeks, KG1D have been wrapping up the unit of ‘Who We Are’. The children enjoyed drawing self-portraits, conversing about their similarities and differences with friends and really getting to know each other to build lasting friendships.

KG1D looks forward to the learning in the coming months!

Grade 1B Trip to Kidzania!

Our First Graders have been busy inquiring into the roles and responsibilities of people in their community. Following a 6 week study into our Unit of Inquiry: How We Organize Ourselves, the boys and girls embarked on an exciting adventure to Kidzania in Yas Mall! This interactive and educational theme park provided our young learners with a day full of fun, learning, and real-life experiences. They had the opportunity to step into the shoes of adults and engage in a variety of professions. They explored careers in a mini-hospital, radio station, fire station, supermarket, dentist surgery and more. The children took their roles seriously and enjoyed the responsibilities that came with each job. Working in various roles required our first graders to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve with their peers. They learned how to work together effectively, share ideas, and support one another, fostering essential social and teamwork skills. Throughout the day, the children had the opportunity to make choices, manage their time, and navigate the park independently. This independence allowed them to build confidence and develop decision-making skills. They had a wonderful day out and it was a perfect end to this Unit of Inquiry. 

5B Field Trip to Circuit X - Hudayriat Island,

On Thursday 26th October 2023 Grade five went on our first field trip for the year to Circuit X- Hudayriat Island. It was an opportunity to put into practice the IB learner profile traits of being open minded and a risk taker from our last UOI unit (Where we are in place and time). After learning about the traits in relation to human migration, 5B were given the opportunity to show if they were up to the challenge. Many were nervous and scared with some activities but with encouragement, patience and courage the students not just faced their fears, they communicated instructions, showed leadership and collaborated to complete the challenges. 

It was a fantastic experience for all in grade five. The 5B students in particular loved the day with many saying it was their best day at school this year. We look forward to many more fun days where we are challenged and have the chance to develop our IB learner profile traits. We as a team could not be more proud of 5Bs effort, attitude and courage on the field trip. A great start to the year and solid foundations put in place to build on for the rest of grade five. 

The Physical Education/Swimming program at GAA serves as a platform to instill a healthy and active lifestyle in our students, fostering habits that will last a lifetime.

Our Grade 1, Grade 2 and Girls Grade 5 embarked on an exciting journey as they kicked off the school year with a refreshing plunge into the swimming pool, making quite the splash. We have successfully concluded the first phase of our swimming curriculum, and it brings us immense pride to showcase the remarkable progress we've made over the past few weeks.

Throughout this period, our dedicated students exhibited determination in developing their water confidence, along with honing essential lifesaving skills. Their efforts were evident in their grasp of fundamental techniques such as floating, streamlining, jumping, and advancing stroke refinement.

As we move ahead, our focus for the Physical Education classes will shift towards cultivating locomotor skills while nurturing values of fairness and respect towards others. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students will engage in diverse motor skills and movement patterns, designed to equip them with the prowess needed to excel in a range of physical activities.

In our pursuit, it is important to emphasize that every participant emerges as a victor in their own right, with the ultimate goal being an enjoyable and rewarding experience. After all, it's when the element of fun takes center stage that we all emerge as winners.

Ms. Nadia Chambers

ES PYP Physical Education Teacher Gr. 1, Gr.2 and Grade 5(GIRLS)

EMIRATES NBD POETRY FOR ALL COMPETITION

OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 24 READ MARATHON

• October 30 - November 24: Read Marathon

• November 3: UAE Flag Day Celebration at school

• November 13: World Kindness Day

• November 18: Fall Festival

• November 22: Real Hero Day (dress down)

• November 24: Pizza and Popsicle Day by GAAPA and Booster Club

• November 29: UAE National Day Celebration at school