A few items...

Learning is in full swing as we have now wrapped up our first reading, writing, and science units. Our class has worked very hard in the last few days as they've written assessments, done "on demand" writing, and have shown me what they have learned in these units. I'm very proud of them. Well done!

As we enter this new week, please be sure to check out our latest "Assignment Sheet and News," which now looks slightly different. In an effort to save time, I've put two weeks worth of lessons onto one document. I'm hoping that it'll reduce the time I work during the evening and weekends and it will also give you an even farther look ahead into what your child is learning. Our lessons may change slightly, but we are very good at adapting and being flexible. If anything major changes, I'll be sure to let you know. Not to worry.

Thursday will be an important day at DAA. Please take note of the following:

Thursday, November 10th, will be United Nations Day in the Elementary School. The ES UN Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate our cultural diversity at DAA, something we are truly proud of!  ES students may come dressed in their country’s traditional dress or the colors of their country's flag.  The morning will begin with a Parade of Nations (similar to the parade that starts the Olympic Games) around the track. All children from grades 3-5 will be walking in the parade in groups with other children from their same country. Parents are invited to join us on the main field between 8:05-8:30 am to watch the Parade of Nations. We ask that you please stand on the inside of the track to watch. Hope to see you all there cheering on the many United Nations of DAA! 

News to Note

It's another busy week! Please be sure to read about what we're learning and also note that I recently added many pictures from recent events, including the following: 

• Mother's Day Tea
• Field trip to DUCTAC
• Reading to KG1 for their Literacy Day
• And, many more other various activities 

Tomorrow, we will go to the Dubai Museum and the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding. (You've all received all of the pertinent info. in the class What'sApp group.) We're looking forward to another fun day of hands on learning. 

Thanks for all of your wonderful continued support!! 

Assignment Sheet and News

Here's what we are learning this week. 

Thanks so much for your wonderful support!! 

A few items...

As this week begins, I wanted to take a moment to note a few items: 

• Thank you for your sweet get-well notes. After struggling with laryngitis and sinusitis at the end of last week and throughout the weekend, I'm feeling much better, thankfully. 

• Welcome back to those who are just returning back to school this week. We missed you and are very happy to see your smiling faces again! 

• As a reminder, this is the time to sign up for ASAs! (All of the important dates are included on the site. Be sure to check the tabs at the top.)

• Please remember to avail yourself of the weekly Assignment Sheet and News, which always includes a rough outline of all that we will be learning. This is also great way to connect with your child: "So, I read that you are learning all about getting to know the character in your book. What have you learned about his/her traits? (child replies, "He's very brave.") How can you tell that?" 

• As you may know, we will be hosting some special guests this week at school. Yes, it's our time to show KHDA all of the wonderful things that makes DAA so fantastic. To help make the week even better, please help us by remembering a few things: 

• Be on time, as any tardies this week will be noted by KHDA. 
• Dress in the proper DAA uniform (hoodies, sweaters, ties, shoes). 
• Be on your best behavior, as always! 

Thanks so much. We look forward to a terrific week! 

..............................

PS. A big congratulations to our breeder dog at home, Oakley, who gave birth (on Saturday evening) to 8 adorable puppies. She is the proud mama of 5 females and 3 males, who will grow up to be service dogs for New Horizons. My sister, Julie, and mom were there for the birthing and even helped. I hope you'll enjoy these sweet pictures of all of the puppy fun! 

View this video below... 

Videos: 

• Waiting for Mama
• Rolling off as they feed 
• Mom rubbing them down 
• Feeding time while Mama sleeps 

Mom is rubbing them to make them cry, which causes their lungs to clear after birth.

What's happening this week?

I hope you're all enjoying a happy and restful weekend. Please be sure to have a look at what your darlings will be learning and doing this week in the section entitled Assignment Sheet and News. (Even better, remind your child that he/she can start doing this independently, as well.) 

Also, please take note that we will be sharing cultural artifacts in Social Studies this week as a way to learn more about the incredible and diverse culture in our very own classroom. Cultural artifacts should be brought to school on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and will be sent home the same day. (I will remind children to handle any fragile artifacts with extra care.) 

Also, if you (or your child) would like to make/prepare/buy some of your traditional food to share with the class, you are most welcome to send it in on both Wednesday and Thursday, as we will continue sharing the artifacts for one period on Thursday. (This is optional!) And, depending on my energy level, I may also bring in some of my delicious American chocolate chip cookies. We'll see. :) 

Happy Week 2 and news for parents from 2014-15

As we begin our second week of school tomorrow, I hope you'll take a look at what I'll be teaching this week, as well as what else is happening (news, schedule, etc). You can always find this on the tab that's titled "Assignment Sheet and News."

I'll be posting some pictures soon, as well. (Some of your children may not appear as I either have not received your consent or you still need to let me know your preference.)  In any case, please send me an email if you have questions about pictures or ask on our Back to School Night, which will be on Wednesday, September 9, from 7-9 PM. 

Also, for my lovely former parents from 2014-15, I know that many of you are still receiving these blog updates by mail. I haven't had a chance to unsubscribe you, but if you'd like to do it yourself, it's very easy. Simply go to one of the emails you've received from "Marhaba," and scroll down to the very bottom. There is a option there to "unsubscribe from this list." It's that easy. And, while I have your attention, please know that I miss you and your darling! I've been able to hug many of the children (and a few of you adults) already, but for those I haven't seen yet, I hope I'll get to pass you in the hall very soon! (Oh, by the way. I'll be keeping our photos from last year up on the blog indefinitely, so know that if you haven't saved/downloaded your favorites yet, there all right where I left them. No worries.) ツ