Welcome to GAAs Back to School Night for

Welcome to GAA’s Back to School Night for KG 1

The KG Team KG 1 -A Caroline Keyes & Ms. Susan KG 1 -B Lucy Peachey & Ms. Janine KG 1 -C Tara Feeney & Ms. Tita KG 1 -D Lucy Abraham & Ms. Glaiza KG 1 -E Angela Curry & Ms. Judy KG 1 -F Caitriona Robinson & Ms. Edna KG 1 -G Carla Heard & Ms. Donna KG 1 -H Ashling Brody & Ms. Karen KH 1 -I Niamh Callanan & Ms. Hazel PYP Coordinator Kristine Zydel Vice Principal Sally Potts

A day in KG 1 Daily Schedule 7: 45 Start U. A. E National Anthem and Attendance Morning Circle ( Calendar, Day schedule) Healthy Snack & Recess Integrated Whole Group Session & Centers (Center activities based on current PYP unit, literacy, math, fine motor skills, etc. ) Healthy Lunch and Recess Specialist block Snack Story time Free choice centers Pack bags and Closing Circle Dismissal at 2: 45 pm

Specialists Arabic Ms. Nahida Ms. Nadia Art Ms. Janna Ms. Kathy Drama Ms. Helen Kitchen Lab Ms. Erin Library Ms. Le’Jon Music Ms. Caitlin P. E. Ms. Vicky Ms. Claire

School wide essential agreements. · · Be safe. Be willing to try. Be kind. Be respectful. Our classroom agreements were student driven. Your child discussed what they thought were good or not so good choices and decided what our essential agreements were.

Our PYP Units of Inquiry this academic year are: • Who We Are • How the World Works • Sharing the Planet • How We Express Ourselves

Play Based Learning Why Play Based Learning? Young children work hard at play. They invent scenes and stories, solve problems, and negotiate their way through social roadblocks. They know what they want to do and work diligently to do it - their motivation comes from within, they learn the powerful lesson of pursuing their own ideas to a successful conclusion. When children are given a chance to initiate play and exploratory learning, they become highly skilled in the art of self-education and selfregulation. The Role of the Teacher The play-based approach calls for teachers to know each child well and to differentiate the teaching methods to meet individual needs. The teacher introduces new content and play materials to stimulate their minds.

Circle time New vocab Daily routine and what to expect everyday Recognize numbers and the calendar and their correct order Play dough Shapes Size Express feelings Fine motor Express our imagination and creativity Blocks Concept of size, length and location Balance and symmetry To express ideas and exercise our imaginations Create patterns and symbols Family Corner To be flexible in our thinking To express ourselves with our words To try on different adult roles To make decisions Library That books are important and enjoyable To exercise our imaginations To recognize words when they see them in print The development of thoughts and ideas in the plot of a story That pictures tell a story

PYP Learner Profile IB learners strive to be: Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-Minded Caring Risk-Takers Balanced Reflective

Assessment All our assessments inform our instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. These include: Work samples Observations Checklists Self assessment/reflection Student Portfolios

Reporting At the end of the first 6 weeks of KG 1 your child will receive a transition report We report twice per year, followed by conferences in which student, parents and teacher meet to discuss learning and set goals

Differentiation In our classes, we will be working in small groups to do our best to ensure all student needs are met. After various assessments, specific activities are developed to meet the students current needs and move them forward. Groupings are flexible with students moving around based on their progress and their academic goals.

Parental Engagement at GEMS: An effective solution talk about what they’re learning in and out of school Let them share what they’re doing in school and learn together at home – let them READ Most importantly, encourage their efforts and progress

Parking Ideally we would like to see parents dropping their children off and teachers and E. A. ’s will escort them to their class from 7: 30. If you choose to escort your child into the building please park in a designated parking spot. Thank you.

The Importance of Sleep If your child is not napping during the day, the average number of hours sleep for a 3 -5 year old is 11 / 12 hours.

Other KG 1 Business Birthday Parties Swimming Labeling clothes and equipment No hat no play Healthy eating