Elementary MAP Testing

(May 19-30)

In the last two weeks of May, students will be taking their spring round of MAP tests. These assessments provide a snapshot of each child’s learning in Reading, Language Usage, Mathematics, and Science. The resulting data serve as indicators of growth and identifies areas of focus to support the learning and achievement of each student.

Students in KG2A used their last crop of tomatoes to make salsa for their snack. The whole class worked together throughout the year to care for the garden. This project was undertaken as part of our Year Of Zayed initiative to help children learn about the environment and sustainability. This project also ties in with the How to writing unit in Kindergarten Literacy. #sustainability #YOZ

Ms. Wood was a mystery reader and shared her new book “A Treasure Box of Choices” with the KG2B students. This is an excellent book to help children learn that they have the power to make good choices. It explains many different ways to respond to different situations in a typical day at school. We have been developing conflict resolution skills and after reading the book together, students played a game to identify situations where they can make positive choices. Now all students know, “The choice is up to me!” #YearOfTolerance

Tuesday Ramadan Community Sports Event was a resounding success. Thank you for coming out to Join US!

Elementary- Secondary Partnerships: In Arabic class our secondary students came to read with our Elementary students.

Muslims who are sick or travelling are exempted from observing the fast. They do however have to make up the days they missed, which can be done any time before the next Ramadan begins.

Pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding or menstruating are also exempted from the fast. They must also make up for the missed days at another time.

The missed days of fasting to be made up don’t have to be consecutive; they can be separated by break days in between the days to be fasted.

There are other things that technically don’t break the fast but “spoil” or taint it, detracting from the spiritual reward. For example, cursing, lying, backbiting or quarrelling is even more emphatically forbidden during Ramadan.

Contrary to what many people think, some things do not break the fast. Using eye-drops or perfume, applying skin lotion, or brushing the teeth are some habits that have no effect on the fast.

In fact, using the traditional toothbrush — the miswak, made from the twig of the siwak tree — is highly recommended. But care must be taken to not swallow anything while brushing the teeth.

“This term ICT is all about innovative design challenges and robotics! Each grade level from Grades 1-5 is presented with a design challenge that they have to solve with a partner or small group. In Grades 1 and 2, students are designing a 50-100 cm Ozobot track that will get the small robot to the finish line as fast as possible. In Grade 3, students are designing a bridge (about 100 cm in length) that will support the Sphero as it drives from one side to the other. In Grades 4 and 5, students are designing a Sphero chariot that will circle a small track three times as fast as possible (and without falling apart!).

All of these challenges allow students to work through the design process and collaborate with one another. The World Economic Forum reports that we need the following skills to thrive in 2020: complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, coordinating with others, emotional intelligence, judgement and decision-making, service orientation, negotiation, and cognitive flexibility. These design challenges encourage students to practice nearly all of these skills! Please visit Seesaw to see their design process and finished products that will be posted over the next few weeks.”