Welcome to our Back to School Curriculum Night

Welcome to our Back to School Curriculum Night!

The Plan for Tonight Schedule: 7. 00 – 7. 25 – Classroom session 1 7. 35 – 8. 00 – Classroom session 2 / Specialist session 1 8. 05 – 8. 30 – Specialist session 2 n n n n A little about our teaching team The GWA approach to education Our class Essential Agreements The year ahead academically ICT at GWA Communication Home Learning

Stephanie Batley n Grew up in California, United States and have lived overseas for many years n An educator for over two decades in various international schools n Interested in all aspects of education and love to explore learning in all situations n Excited for a great school year!

Marilou Nacor § From the Philippines § Sixth year at GWA § Many years of experience in education

The Fourth Grade Team Class Teacher Assistant 4 KC Kendra Cantrell Catherine Tulagan 4 BA Beatriz Arbelaez Lorna Quizana 4 RB Rudi Botes Exile Free Bate Miranda 4 PT Patricia Thibedeaux Sheetal Hagde 4 LJ Laura Johnson Francesca Busadre 4 SA Sandra Aragon Isagani Leonardo EAL Martine Bayard Counselor Kim Leiske

GWA Approach to Education Inquiry based n Challenged according to what students are ready to learn next (developmental approach) n Differentiation, activity based, small group and individualised learning n

Learn more about PYP Dave Gerber (PYP Co-ordinator) will doing a PYP info-morning for new parents: 9 -10: 30 am in the Planetarium on 14 th September

How We Know What Students Have Learned Prior knowledge to drive inquiry n Assessment (authentic, projects, not always paper and pencil) n Process oriented more often than product (reflection of learning) n Portfolios n Student Led Conferences n

Home Learning n Option 1 = reading and completing a variety of response activities to build understanding of texts n PlanningLanguage ArtsReadingreading_comprehension_task_cards. pdf n Option 2 = inquiry activities linked to our current Unit of Inquiry. The children complete all activities on the wheel n G 4 home learning - sept 15 to 28. docx

Class Essential Agreements n Embody the Learner Profile n Developed by the children n Agreements we are encouraging and supporting

The Year Ahead Academically Grade 4 Units of Inquiry n n n Who We Are – revolving around the impact of respect How We Express Ourselves – centred on communication How We Organise Ourselves – marketplaces linked to supply and demand How The World Works – scientific investigation into matter Sharing The Planet – how factors contribute to people’s opportunities Where We Are In Place And Time – the changing nature of Earth affects human survival

Language Arts and Maths n n n Reading and writing are integrated into our Units of Inquiry Specific genres and their features are taught and practised in the classroom Reading can be group, guided or individual Children respond to and discuss texts Word study is dependent on children’s needs and focuses on word parts Writing is integrated into all areas of the curriculum

Science and Social Studies n Again these areas of study are integrated into our Units of Inquiry depending on the central idea and concepts explored n For instance, the UOI How The World Works is science based and the concepts we pursue are: causation, change and connection

ICT in the Program n Our ICT teacher is Laura Williamson n ICT is an integral part of life and we incorporate ICT resources as much as possible in the curriculum n ICT lessons are planned by both the ICT teacher and the classroom teacher n The children will be taught how to use ICT tools to enrich their learning. n Check out the GWA PYP ICT site: http: //gwqpypict. weebly. com/

Communication n There are many ways to be in touch including face-to-face, student diaries, phone and email n My email address is: s. batley_gwa@gemsedu. com n Grade 4 Weebly: http: //gwagradefour. weebly. com/ n Our class Weebly: http: //gwagradefour. weebly. com/4 sb. html n Ask questions as they come up – we have an open door policy! n Communication Diary – we check these everyday for notes and parent signatures n Please look at your child’s diary every day to check for school events, activities or notes from me

Supporting Learning at Home n Home Learning is inquiry based and planned with parents in mind – it can a wonderful time to engage with your child and support their learning n Reading should take place everyday for 20 minutes n Home Learning timetable – please check our Grade 4 n 3 A Day – GWA’s guide to parent support Parent Engagement Weebly site for all homework activities

Supporting Learning at Home Tumble. Books Brain. Pop Jr Sumdog Brain. Pop

Eco. Venture n n n n n About 1095 dirhams per child, 995 for families with more than one child First trip 7 – 8 th Dec Second trip – 9 – 10 th Dec Two days and one night field trip in the desert Sleep in tents Prepare to spend time away from home eventually leading to Week Without Walls Focus on team building and inquiry skills Fun!! Parent information closer to date

Anything Else? n Time for Questions? n Post-It Parking Lot – please write your questions or comments on a post-it note and leave it in our ‘parking lot’. If you have questions about your child I will address them through an e-mail to you. THANK YOU FOR COMING!

Specialist Locations PE Team……………. …Ground Level Counseling Team……. . Ground Level ICT Team………………. . ……Level 1 Learning Support Team. . ……. Level 1 English as Another Language (EAL) Team………. Level 1 Music Team…………………. . Level 1 Arabic Classrooms……………. . …. Level 2 Library Team…………………. Level 2 Art Team…………………. Level 2 Islamic Studies………………. ……Level 3

Ground Floor PE TEAM RECEPTION MAIN ENTRANCE TO ECE PE TEAM COUNSELORS

MUSIC TEAM First Floor EAL TEAM Entry from spiral staircase LS TEAM ITC TEAM ES OFFICE

Second Floor Library ART M A E T Entry from spiral staircase ES OFFICE