KG & Elementary

KG SECTION FOUND IN DROP DOWN MENU

Message from our Elementary Vice-Principal,

Mr. John O'Neill

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

HEALTH AND TRAVEL DECLARATION FORMS

Dear GAA Families,

In case you travel outside UAE during half-term long weekend, please remember to complete The Health and Travel Declaration form (online form). The paper form (English and Arabic) may be emailed to: communication_gaa@gemsedu.com.

News from Grade 3C

Mr. Marcus Williams

In 3C we have been learning and adjusting to the new schedule. So far, in Math, we have learned how to tell time to the nearest minute and elapsed time. We have also learned the importance of having a Growth Mindset and the Power of Yet. I have observed in class and during live sessions that the students have really exhibited a growth mindset as they work through various subjects. They take the challenges they encounter and work through them without giving up. In Reading and Writing we explored several types of poems. The students created some beautiful poems as their final products. This year, despite its differences, is off to a great start. I am impressed with the work ethic in 3C and students’ willingness to learn! It has been a pleasure communicating with parents and teaching my students in 3C.

News from Upper Elementary Performing Arts

In Performing Arts for Grade 3, we are learning traditional songs which we perform by singing and with pitched instruments, both individually and as an ensemble. We are also practicing to read and perform rhythmic notation.

4^th Grade students in Performing Arts are currently learning how to play the ukulele. They are learning how to perform appropriately on pitched classroom instruments. Students have learned 5 chords and will be playing along with songs in no time! They are also learning how to read notation on the staff and how to read rhythms.

5^th grade students are learning how to read notation on the staff, and how to read rhythms. They will be composing their own simple melodies and applying their knowledge of notation to their compositions. They will be able to perform melodies with 5 (or more) pitches on instruments (e.g. barred instruments) or through the use of technology (Distance Learners).

News from Ms. Tiffany Pulci

PYP Coordinator

A common question for parents new to a PYP School. Let me explain where science and social studies are found in our curriculum.

PYP schools articulate their curriculum in what is called a Program of Inquiry. A Program of Inquiry divides the curriculum into 4 - 6 Transdisciplinary Themes at each grade level. They are:

How the World Works
Sharing the Planet
Who We Are
Where We Are in Time and Place
How We Organize Ourselves
How We Express Ourselves

Some of these themes lend themselves more to a science focus and others to social studies. For example, the themes How the World Works and Sharing the Planet tend to focus more on science standards and the themes Who We Are and Where We Are in Place and Time tend to focus more on social studies.

Some of the more science heavy units we have at GAA are: Forces and Motion (KG1), Living Things (KG1), Properties and Materials (KG2), Life Cycles (KG2), Light and Sound (Gr1), States of Matter (Gr2), Habitats and Ecosystems (Gr 2), Weather and Climate (Gr3), Simple Machines (Gr3), Body Systems (Gr4), The Earth in Space (Gr4), Physical and Chemical Changes to Matter (Gr5), and Biosphere Changes (Gr5).

Some of the more social studies heavy units we have are: All About Me (KG1), Similarities and Differences (KG2), Celebrations and Traditions (Gr1), Beliefs and Values (Gr2), Trade (Gr3), Inequality (Gr4), and Human Migration (Gr5).

In fact, our 4th grade students just completed a provocation activity for the Body Systems unit where they explored different mystery organs and used observation to try to identify which organ it might be and wondered about how it works in the human body. Check out the photos below!

News from Justin Kirby

K-12 Curriculum Director

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and You!

Most educators around the world learn of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs very early in their studies. Plenty more research has gone into this topic over the years, and many edits and changes have been made, but the concept remains. In the time of COVID-19, it benefits us to look at Maslow’s theory again to ensure that we are able to meet the needs of our students so that we can maximize their motivation and capability. This video will shed some light on the pyramid that Maslow theorized, and some examples of how you, at home, can support the learning of your children.

VIRTUAL ACADEMY GUIDE

2020-2021 Term 1

ESM and DELTA is offering a range of online Sport and Enrichment activities for TERM 1. You can contact academies directly using the information in this brochure.

For general information referring all ESM Academies, please contact: