teach uae magazine issue 1 volume 2 september/october 2014

EDUCATORS ! It is time for us to blog about all that we share in common. Teach UAE invites you to share your articles with us as we strive to connect, develop and empower our colleagues within this noble profession. We welcome educators from KG to tertiary. All contributions will be credited to the authors.

Teach UAE Magazine @TEACHUAE_MAGteachuae.com

SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES

• Student Engagement• Behaviour Management• School Inspection• 21st Century Skills• Knowing Your Learner• Education Trends• Classroom Environment• Reading/Literacy• Teaching Mathematics• Teaching Science• CPD Opportunities• Lesson Planning• Assessment

SUBJECT AREAS:

For additional information on how you can share with us, please send an email to [email protected] along with your area of interest and a sample of your writing. We value your input and look forward to meeting with you.

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CON TENTCONTRIBUTORSMOE MESSAGE TO EDUCATORSADMINISTRATOR’S CORNER – IS YOUR SCHOOL CULTURE TOXIC OR POSITIVE? PERSPECTIVES A PRODUCTIVE CLASSROOM IS POSSIBLE CULTURAL SENSITIVITY & THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR USING TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION5 TIPS TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR NEW SCHOOL YEAR RESOLUTIONS

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FEATURED SCHOOL – AL MUNA PRIMARY SCHOOL PUTS STUDENTS’ NEEDS FIRSTUSEFUL TIPS FOR EFFECTIVELY UTILISING YOUR CLASSROOM SPACEIN THE STAFFROOM…WAYS TO WIN OVER YOUR NEW COLLEAGUES 10 REASONS EVERY TEACHER SHOULD TRY PROJECT BASED LEARNING EFFICIENT USE OF STUDENTS’ DATA

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CON TENTA MOMENT WITH PAUL KENNYRENDEZVOUS IN ROMANIAMONEY MANAGEMENT TIPS & STRATEGIESSTART THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH CONFIDENCE BONNA ANNEE... TRY SOMETHING NEWALL WORK & NO PLAY … HOW TO CREATE WORK-LIFE BALANCEGET OVER YOUR FEAR OF THE DENTIST’S CHAIR

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Teach UAE Magazine®

EDITORIAL DIRECTORCarolyn Lee [email protected]

ART DIRECTORm&m [email protected] 00971 50 693 5986

SALES MANAGERGrace [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSBarika Bettis, Richie Chin, Aaron Crotty, Aisha Shakti Hakim, Jan L. Jones, Carolyn Lee, Maryann Reid, Leisa Simapili, Betina Fuentes, Dr Kaizad Kermani

PUBLISHED BYMoftah Publishing FZ LLC(Registered at Fujairah Creative City)

[email protected]

WEBSITEwww.teachuae.comwww.facebook.com/TeachUAEMagazine

Welcome and welcome back to the United Arab Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates is very unique in many ways but what makes it even more special to educators is that it welcomes educators from all over the globe. This year hundreds of teachers will join the thousands already teaching in the UAE. These educators bring with them vast amounts of knowledge experience and expertise which will indeed make a difference in the lives of the young people of this country and this region.

In this issue of Teach UAE Magazine, we roll out the welcome mat for these teachers by providing useful tips and information to help them start the year off on a solid footing both in the classroom and at home. If you are a returning teacher, don’t worry, you have not been forgotten. We have something special for you. We hope to help you have an even better year, by providing you with tips on how to keep your new school year resolutions, organise your classroom and strategies to help you save both time and money among other offerings.

At Teach UAE Magazine, we are committed to serving you even better

in the coming year. We have some amazing plans for this school year that are sure to delight you. Make sure you check in with us often, at http://www.teachuae.com and through our social media channels; also look out for our printed magazines in your school. We welcome your feedback and will do our best to answer emails and respond to comments on social media. Please feel free to contact us with your suggestions at [email protected] or [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.

Teach UAE Magazine staff would like to wish you all a fantastic school year 2014/2015.

____________________

CAROLYN LEEEditorial Director

Copyright 2013 Moftah Publishing FZ LLC. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may

be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or

by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,

without the permission of Moftah Publishing FZ LLC. Where opinion is

expressed, it is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial

views of the publisher or Teach UAE Magazine.

All information in Teach UAE Magazine is checked and verified to the best of the publisher’s ability, however, the

publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistake or omission enclosed in the

publication.

EDITOR’S MESSAGE...

CONNECT. DEVELOP. EMPOWER.The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles,

but to irrigate deserts.

- C.S. Lewis

TeachUAE Poster School AD Ready for Print.pdf 1 4/5/2014 12:49:01 PM


OUR CONTRIBUTORS...

Avoiding cultural misunderstandings really only requires having an open mind, a willingness to learn, the ability to learn from ones failures, and a sense of adventure.

I have many different passions but two that I truly enjoy sharing are travel and my love for food. This month’s travel article features beautiful Romania. I also sampled some tasty Ethiopian food that I just had to share with you. Enjoy!

Proper money management is essential to keeping one’s goals but often times we neglect to spend adequate time seeking the best options to do so. These money managment tips could make a difference.

Using learning styles to guide your lesson planning is not just good teaching practice, it is essential for helping your students to process information. Take these tips into your classroom to promote equitable learning for all!

Teachers often suffer from burnout and can always benefit from quick, easy and effective strategies that promote mental and physical well-being.

Good hair care is essential to one’s beauty but we often neglect to spend adequate time on our hair. These hair care tips could make a difference.

Dressing for your job as an educator in the UAE can be made easier with the simple tips offered in this month’s article… Inside you will find ideas on how to create your perfect capsule wardrobe.

Knowing how to use data in the classroom includes identifying what to assess. This is an important aspect of teaching and learning for all stakeholders.

Dr Jan L. Jones

Richie Chin

Aaron Crotty

Bettina Fuentes

Shakti Aisha Hakim

Alona Ballard

Maryann Reid

Pansy Walker

There are many people who are still fearful when it comes to seeing the dentist. It is my hope that this article will help them to eliminate that fear.

Dr Kermani


For every teacher who has searched for ideas to ignite their students’ creativity, project based learning is one sure way to keep students engaged.

Technology plays a vital role in learning. I am always looking for new apps to support the teaching of Arabic as a second language. I have included some really great apps that you may also find useful.

Aziza Benlamoudi Steven Bambury

GUEST WRITERS

Prostate Awareness Month is celebrated each September and shines the spotlight on prostate health and the diseases that affect the prostate.

Dr Rishikesh Pandya

Downtime is important for educators in order to reconnect with their families and take the time to relax.

The new school year offers a fresh start for classroom organization. These five tips will help you use your time and space wisely.

PreSha Barnes Angela Watson


We would like to express our deepest thanks to our wise leaders, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, “May God protect him”, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Chairman of the Board and Ruler of Dubai, “May God protect him”, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, “May God protect him” and their brothers, Highnesses, Supreme Council Members and rulers of the Emirates.

I would like to congratulate all employees of the Ministry of Education, in particular, the administrative, teaching and technical staff. We appreciate your ideas, objective perspectives and the manner in which you have been carrying out your duties. I would like to stress that the ministry is relying on you in the upcoming school year, to bring about the desired development of taking education in the UAE to the highest level, so that it becomes a model that can be emulated.

All employees of the Ministry of Education are included in this development process. We rely on your educational experience and encourage you to work as a team in order to achieve the ministry’s goals. The ministry

plans to focus its efforts in ensuring that each employee receives the necessary training and professional development. This training will allow you to self-evaluate and to keep abreast of new developments in the field of education. The ministry will ensure that all channels of communication between all stakeholders are kept open. We also plan to include improved means of communication as it relates to feedback resulting from our field trips and open discussion forums.

We rely on the field of education in helping the country to develop. Let me assure you that the Ministry of Education is on track in making the changes needed that will allow the UAE to keep pace with global developments in education. We are utilising the best modern technologies available in order to ensure that our students develop their creativity and innovativeness.

I encourage all students to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them and to follow the instructions of their parents and teachers. Be assured that the ministry is committed to providing you with high-quality education in all its schools.

The Ministry of Education is looking forward to increased cooperation and closer strategic partnerships with the education boards, parents, local businesses,

media organizations and the wider community. In order to achieve our desired objectives, it is imperative that we make a concerted effort to work together in improving education in the UAE. We appreciate your support in helping the country’s efforts to move forward in the development of education.

HE Hussein Al HammadiMinister of EducationMinistry of Education

EDUCATION IS KEY TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE UAE

MOE Message to Educators


School culture often also referred to as school climate is the cornerstone of all schools. It may be defined as the

quality and character of school life. It encompasses patterns of student, parent, and school staff experiences within the school. It reflects norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices and organisational structures.

It is that force that drives a school’s success or failure. It is the foundation for school improvement. Nonetheless, this topic is rarely dealt with especially here in the United Arab Emirates and the MENA region.

Education in the United Arab Emirates is at a defining moment, one with the potential to shape the nation’s educational future. There has been considerable investment in buildings, technology and staffing. However, it can be argued that enough attention has not been paid to ensuring that all schools enjoy a positive school culture.

Building a positive school culture is the responsibility of all stakeholders from administration and teachers to students and parents, as well as, policy makers. For schools to successfully build a positive school culture, they must foster both excellent academic achievement and good ethics. A school with a positive school culture can be defined as having an ethos of high expectations for each student and staff.

In toxic school cultures, staff:

• View students as the problem rather than their valued clients.

• Are sometimes part of negative subcultures that are hostile and critical of change.

• Believe they are doing the best they can and don’t search out new ideas.

• Frequently share stories and historical perspectives on the school that are often negative, discouraging, and demoralising.

• Complain, criticise, and distrust any new ideas, approaches, or

suggestions for improvement raised by administration and fellow colleagues.

• Rarely share ideas, materials, or solutions to classroom problems.

• Have few ceremonies or school traditions that celebrate what is good and hopeful about their place of work.

Is your school’s culture positive or toxic? These are a few questions which will help you to evaluate the culture which exists in your school. If you are starting a new school this year answering these questions over the first term will help you to get an idea of what your new school’s culture is like:

1. Does your school lack a sense of purpose?

2. Do the school’s norms reinforce inertia?

3. Does the school blame students for lack of progress?

4. Is collaboration discouraged?5. Are there normally hostile relations

among staff and students?

If your answers to the above questions are overwhelmingly negative, then chances are your school is a successful one which is enjoying a positive school climate. If on the other hand your school has a toxic culture, there are a few things that can be done to create the positive school environment we all want.

In order to create a positive school culture; begin to celebrate successes, emphasise accomplishment and collaboration. Foster a commitment to develop staff and improve student learning. Most of all, ensure that every single member of the school community feels valued and supported. When administrators, staff, students and parents collaborate in a strong push to foster an environment in which learning blooms, negativity will decrease and both staff and students will flourish.

IS YOUR SCHOOL CULTURE TOXIC OR POSITIVE?

Administrators′ Corner

By Leisa Simapili


P E R S P E C T I V E S

At the start of the school year I make sure that students feel

welcome and ask them what they did during the holidays. Then, we go through the rules and expectations in Physical Education. In doing so, the students are made aware of what is expected of them throughout the school year.

I usually try to learn about my new class from the people who

know them best – their families or key-workers! Therefore, I arrange to visit them at home, where they are most comfortable or go and visit them in their nursery. This helps me to understand what they enjoy doing and what provision I can offer to make them excited about coming to school.

At the beginning of the year, I plan interactive games and activities

to informally assess my students. We usually play auditory and word games where we listen to stories and then discuss settings and key words. Some children feel happy to tell us about their summer holidays. The older students may write a paragraph to tell us what they did during the holidays.

I start with an activity. I use a ball of string and place the students

in a circle, saying one interesting fact about myself. I then toss the ball of string across the circle, passing it around until everyone has spoken. I then throw in a balloon, which we all have to keep aloft without touching. This helps students to understand that we are all connected. Our class web represents how connected we are in working together to achieve amazing things!

I allow the students to talk to each other so that they get to know

each other. I tell them about how I enjoyed my vacation and then ask them to write about the same topic. I design a like/dislike questionnaire about the school facilities and activities so I know what attracts them. I also create a Procedure Board which displays our classroom rules and agreements.

At the start of the year, it’s really important to get to know the

children and their interests. Through finding out what motivates them, I can build activities into future lessons that maximise engagement. I also do teamwork activities designed to get the children to know each other and gel in their new class.

John Duggan,Head of Physical Education

Natalie Morris,Foundation Stage Leader

Aly Wolstanholme,Year 2 Class Teacher

Wejdan Kassem,Shadow Arabic Leader

Hayette Zeghib,SEN Arabic Specialist

Kate McMillan, Inclusion Manager

What do you do when meeting a new class at the beginning of the school year?

Vox Pop

EDUCATORS


P E R S P E C T I V E S

The first thing I get nervous about on the first day of school is making

friends and meeting my teachers. I wonder if my teachers will be nice or not.

I am really nervous the first day because it’s really difficult to make

new friends. I get nervous about meeting new teachers and I wonder how they will teach me. I worry about meeting a new teacher that I can’t understand because I don’t speak English very well. I mainly speak French and Arabic. I get really nervous about that.

I first came to the school in year 2. I was most nervous about

making new friends. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to fit in with everyone else. I lived in a different country before I came here, so I was a bit scared. Now I’m much better. I have new friends and I like my teachers.

I am happy the first day of school because we get to go on trips to

the library and swimming. I get to make new friends.

I am not nervous because it is a nice school and the teachers are

great. I like my classmates.

I am not nervous. I get to be in a new class and I can make new

friends.

Adam Fadlullah,Grade 4

Hessa Al Neaimi,Grade 6

Elisya Faizul,Grade 6

Stefanie Wright,Foundation Stage 1

Mohamed Sidani,Grade 1

Omar Katheiri,Grade 3

Are you usually nervous on the first day of school? Why? STUDENTS

When I first started school, I was nervous because it was a new

school to me and I came from a different country. I have new friends now and I like my teachers.

Amelia Hammersley,Grade 2

Vox Pop


Sharing Good Practice

Trying to create the perfect classroom? One where students are engaged, prepared and collaborating on clearly defined

tasks, but still differentiated according to ability as well as learning styles? The perfect classroom can be achieved, and it’s easier than you think – even if you don’t stay in the same classroom all day. Blending the physical and non-physical attributes of a productive classroom will help you keep your students on task and foster a sense of community at the same time.

Supply Centre: A productive classroom starts with prepared students. Having a central location for extra supplies helps students get on task quickly, instead of getting distracted by asking others to borrow pencils or paper. Set aside a small table, countertop or even a rolling cart as the supply centre and keep it stocked with essentials. Your interactive notebooks, projects, and everyday assignments will be completed promptly and your students will appreciate the fact that you want them to be prepared. I use the back counter of my classroom as a supply centre and establish the routine early with my students. If they are in need of any supplies, the time to get them is before the bell rings. They know from the lesson objective what will be required that day.So, if an interactive notebook assignment is listed, they will need colored pencils, scissors and glue in addition to their interactive notebooks.

Flexible Seating: Seating is perhaps the most important physical characteristic of a productive classroom. However, having the same seating arrangement every day does not always foster engagement in some specific lesson tasks. Create several seating charts for specific tasks, such as discussions, group work, and testing. Have students arrange desks in the formation best suited for that task: horseshoe-shaped for discussions, triads or quads for group work, and traditional rows for testing.

Communication: Be clear about what the end result of the lesson should be.

Ensure that students know the lesson objective before the lesson begins, restate the objective throughout the lesson and check for mastery at the end of the lesson. Stating the objective as a SMART goal (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) can also help with students’ understanding and success in reaching the established goals. For example, if you are teaching a concept like idioms, your SMART learning objective could read, “90 percent of students will correctly identify idioms and match them with their definitions.” Then a mini-quiz at the end of the period will give them a chance to prove they have met the goal.

Differentiation: Students are most productive when they feel that they have a choice in the outcome of the lesson. Using Gardner’s multiple intelligences and designing lessons and assessments so that students can choose their own way to show understanding can make even the most reluctant class into an engaged and enjoyable group

of learners. Students can choose to show understanding of a concept like vocabulary terms by creating gestures to define them, using the words to write a skit, defining them in a rap or poem, or illustrating the words in a poster.

Sense of Community: This final factor is perhaps the most important. When students feel that they are respected and they have some choices in the classroom, they will be more productive. Greet each student at the door, ask them questions about their weekend or activities in which they are involved, and use proximity control while teaching by moving around the room and interacting with students constantly. Your care and concern for students will pay off with increased engagement and more productive and on-task behaviour.

The perfect classroom is within your grasp – use these tips to create a space where students feel valued, respected, and productive. Happy teaching!

A PRODUCTIVE CLASSROOM IS POSSIBLEBy Betina Fuentes


As classrooms become more culturally diverse, it is absolutely essential that educators consider the importance

of cultural sensitivity, become more culturally aware, and continuously build their cultural knowledge. Not understanding the unique experiences and cultural differences of students in your classroom can lead to unintended anxiety, miscommunication, and bad experiences for both the student and the teacher. In most cases, avoiding cultural misunderstandings only requires having an open mind, a willingness to learn, the ability to learn from your failures, and a sense of adventure.

In preparation for this article, I came across several definitions of cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness and cultural knowledge. One article that was most interesting was prepared by an organisation called Big Sisters in British Columbia, Canada. I liked their definition of cultural sensitivity as being the recognition that cultural differences exist and that people who care about cultural sensitivity simply place importance on the value of this diversity. Cultural knowledge is described as something that we might eventually strive for and includes taking the time to familiarize one’s self with selected cultural characteristics, history, values, belief systems, and behaviours of the members of another ethic group. While cultural knowledge might be something that we strive for, it is simply impossible to know everything that there is to know about

your students’ cultural backgrounds. In fact, even within cultures, there are inconsistencies in beliefs and traditions. How could you possibly be an expert on every single tradition or belief as it relates to your classroom?

My journey as a professor has allowed me to meet students from many parts of the world, and it is from those experiences that I have learned the most. Even as a travel and tourism professor, I do not pretend to be a cultural expert. I absolutely love having a classroom with students from diverse backgrounds and always try to learn from my students so that I can in turn, find ways to inspire them that are meaningful to their own lives.

I will never forget one of my first teaching experiences with refugees from Kosovo many years ago. I almost laugh now at the endless training I had from the Red Cross about cultural sensitivity and diversity. I was told to wear pants (not shorts) or long skirts and never wear shirts with sleeves that went above my elbow. Guess what my students showed up wearing on the first day of class? Tank tops and short shorts! What I didn’t know is that they also went through rigorous training about Canadian culture.

I was told not to close the door so that people felt comfortable coming and going from the classroom, which was particularly important since they had just survived war torn conditions. You can imagine why I was horrified on the first

day of class when the power went out and we were left in total darkness. On that same day, I had insisted that they call me by my first name, but they in turn insisted that it would be disrespectful, so we settled on “Mësues Jan”- a combination of their culture and mine.

Months after teaching, I received notes and letters from students thanking me for helping them through that time in their lives and for volunteering to teach them for the summer. They didn’t comment so much on the lessons, but that they felt welcomed, comfortable and valued in my classroom.

I drew on those examples in my career in a bid to remind teachers just arriving in the UAE that being culturally aware could mean the difference between a rewarding and fulfilling experience for you and your new students and a negative one. Take time to learn as much as you can about the cultural norms of the UAE. Be sure to read as much as you can and also speak to people who have been here before you. I assure you they will have some cultural gems to share with you.

In summary, I encourage educators to think of cultural sensitivity and gaining cultural knowledge as a journey where you build and learn from your experiences with diverse groups of students by having an open mind, willingness to learn and the maturity to accept that sometimes you might make mistakes.


CULTURAL SENSITIVITY & THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR By Jan L. Jones



As the founder of iPad Educators, I’m often asked about apps that suit different curriculum areas. Here in The

United Arab Emirates, where Arabic is a core subject, I’m always looking for apps that can support the teaching of Arabic as a second language to students. Naturally, the early focus is on speaking and listening, so that’s what we’re going to explore here.

Before we do that, though, I find that it’s always good to start with the question why?

So why bother with any of this? Why use ipads in Arabic lessons? Why try and get teachers who are accustomed to set ways of teaching to adapt and change? My colleague Sabba Quidwai, an Islamic Education specialist, shared a quote with me recently that I feel is particularly relevant to teachers accustomed to and perhaps still mired in traditional teaching methods.

“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” - John Dewey.

There is huge potential for Arabic to become a lesson that students enjoy, engage with readily and attain well in. To realise this potential, however, Arabic teachers need support in adapting their pedagogy to suit the diverse learning styles they are confronted with here in the UAE.

The App Store contains a variety of excellent absorption apps for learning Arabic; from Something Fishy About Arabic to the wonderful range produced by Appy Kids. When it comes to creating content, I’ve found that some of the best choices are avatar apps. Just to be clear, I’m talking about the use of a digital representation of a person. Kids love using them as they are fun and engaging and they have the added bonus that the children do not have to show themselves on screen. This is great not only for those shy kids who don’t like to be on camera, but also for children who are not permitted to.

There are several options that I think work really well but I’m going to concentrate on four apps that can be harnessed particularly well in the Arabic class. I’m also going to share a little heads-up on what I think could soon become the one app to rule them all in this region.

TELLAGAMIAnyone who visits our site regularly will know that Tellagami is one of our go to apps at IPad Educators these days. You can accomplish some amazing things with Tellagami, especially if you combine it with other apps. Tellagami is one of those apps that kids love to use as it is so simple and produces a professional looking final product. I’d recommend visiting our website and reading the article I wrote on the use of careful perspective with Tellagami in order to get the most out of it.

Though Tellagami has somewhat limited character customisation, the fact that you can select any backdrop means that you can set a scene effectively. So if the current vocabulary topic is shopping, a supermarket could be used. The teacher could even record some prompt Games using a

given backdrop and share them with the students via Dropbox. Thus, they could role-play as the shopkeeper and the students could film the responses. This could even form an engaging method of formative assessment!

Alternatively, students could write the Arabic words for the background and then speak the words in Arabic and English. These clips could then be sewn together in iMovie to form a multimedia Arabic dictionary.

PUPPET PALSWhy Puppet Pals 1 and not the sequel? Again it comes down to the ability to add your own backdrops. Whilst the animation options are slicker in Puppet Palls 2, the simplicity and speed with which you can create animated puppet shows in the first one, makes it the better choice of the two.

The fact that, with the director’s pass, you can cut out your own characters, makes it an added bonus. This means you can include the students themselves or even find relevant images online to use as your puppets. Why not find images of the characters from popular shows and make your own episodes? The possibilities with this app are vast.

USING TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION… ARABIC AVATARSBy Steven Bambury


MORFOMorfo is a well-known app these days but still one that could be better harnessed in the Arabic classroom. Students can scan their faces into the app then add costumes and features to alter their appearance before recording a short narrated video. They can also import an image of a person and animate them. I’ve had kids animate Winston Churchill and recite his speeches for example. This could be easily adapted to the Arabic lesson by morphing an iconic Arabic figure for example. Another idea would be to let the students morph the teacher and then record their Arabic narration in a neat little role reversal!

CHATTERPIXChatterpix is the best option for younger students, as all it requires is that they draw a mouth onto a photo and then give it a voice. It’s simplicity is its greatest strength and means it can be used quickly – perhaps even solely as a lesson starter or plenary. How about students speaking Arabic in the form of a cartoon character or even a camel? If a key topic is being covered then relevant images that relate to it can be sought out and used effectively e.g. a picture of a policeman when studying jobs.

GULF TALKSo those are the four main apps I’d recommend. The App Store always has something new to play around with. In May of this year, I discovered an entertainment app called Gulf Talk

and instantly saw huge potential for it in the classroom. The app is like a cross between iMovie and Puppet Pals with a Middle Eastern theme!

It takes the form of a talk show and you can record the voices of both the host and guest as well as add animations to them. This is all tied together in a film-editing style timeline along the bottom of the screen. The animated characters are superb, and so is the overall production quality.

I didn’t recommend this app along with the others as it was not originally designed to be used for education. I felt that several aspects needed tweaking before I could suggest it to educators.

I contacted the developers and they agreed. They’re currently overhauling the app in order to re-launch it later this year aimed at the educational market. I genuinely believe that when this comes out it will become a core app in the region for educators. So why not go take an early look now?

Please check out www.ipadeducators.com for exclusive interviews, feature articles and reviews of the best educational apps.

Mr Bambury is the founder of www.ipadeducators.com



We do it every year. By the month of June before the current school year even ends, we begin to

tell ourselves how we will do many things differently in the upcoming school year. Just like the start of the new calendar year, many teachers go through a process of soul searching and then begin to make a laundry list of new school year resolutions. Does that sound familiar? Are you guilty of it? It’s all too familiar to me and I sure am guilty as charged. We begin to say what we will do and how much more we plan to achieve before we have even met our new students.

There are those of us who even agonise all summer long when we should be resting and relaxing. We take out our planning books and we look back at all the things we should have done differently. There is nothing wrong with good self-reflection and self-evaluation; however, this becomes an issue if it takes up the majority of our summer break.

The school year starts and we are full of zeal and resolve to keep all of our new school year resolutions. Some of us even write them out and make a wall chart. I know it may sound as if I am not a fan of resolutions but that is not the

case. I have done it every year; some years I have succeeded in keeping a few, while there has been other years when I have failed miserably. After many trials and errors I have come up with what I believe are the top 5 tips for keeping new school year resolutions.

Make it something you really want your students to achieveDon’t make it a resolution about you as a teacher but instead shift the focus to your students. In doing so you help to increase your students’ achievement levels. You also feel a great sense of accomplishment when they do well.

Limit your list to a number you can handleIt’s probably best to make two or three resolutions that you intend to keep. That way, you’re focusing your efforts on the goals you truly want. I strongly believe that if we set more than three resolutions with all the other demands that we have on our time as teachers, we are far less likely to succeed.

Be specificTo be effective, resolutions and goals need to be pretty specific. Write them as if you are writing lesson objectives with clearly thought out steps on how they will be achieved.

AutomateMake them something that you can do a little of every day that over time they become something you do automatically.

Make a planRather than stating one daunting goal, create a series of smaller steps that culminate into the overall goal. Have an action plan. Figure out exactly what you want to do and then do it. It may sound easy but it takes consistency and hard work.

If you need immediate rewards to keep you motivated, here’s a suggestion. Ask yourself: ‘What are the short-term rewards?’ Plan incentives for yourself and your students. When you reach a milestone or achieve a goal, reward yourself and your students, for example, if you want your students to read more, when the whole class has finished their first book, give them and yourself some “golden time” (a period of time given during a lesson where students are able to do a fun activity of their choosing).

Resolutions are not always easy to make or keep, but I hope following these tips will help to make the process easier. Have a great school year!

5 TIPS TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR NEW SCHOOL YEAR RESOLUTIONS


By Leisa Simapili


Featured School

All schools share common objectives. One main objective most share is to provide a safe environment that is conducive

to effective teaching and learning. As such, serious thought is often given to securing the best team to efficiently and effectively execute the goals of the school. Some schools even take it a step further, by not only securing the best teachers and creating a safe learning environment, but they also create a closely-knit community in which students and staff work diligently and harmoniously towards achieving their goals. The Al Muna Primary School, in Abu Dhabi City is one such school.

Al Muna Primary School is part of the prestigious Aldar Academies group. Despite being a fairly new school, Al Muna Primary School has already proven to be one of the top private schools in Abu Dhabi. It is considered to be a high achieving school, which follows the English National Curriculum. Students are also taught Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies following the Ministry of Education (MOE) curriculum.

The school has over six hundred students and almost over one hundred staff under the leadership of Principal Wayne Howsen. The general atmosphere of the school is inviting, engaging and celebratory. From the

moment you enter the school’s campus you are treated to samples of students’ work and projects, which are beautifully displayed all around the school. Also of note are the images of happy children’s faces interacting with each other in pictures that are strategically placed on walls and stairways. These images are reflective of the great interaction between students laughing happily as they talk with each other. This sends a clear message, that this is their school and they are happy to be there.

“We consider our relationships to be of paramount importance. We are a really welcoming community,” cites Mr Howsen.

The relationship that students cultivate with each other as well as with the staff is aided by the promotion of the school’s core values. These are courtesy, consideration and co-operation. They also emphasise the importance of attendance, punctuality and ensuring that the students make outstanding progress.

Al Muna Primary School strives to be inclusive, happily accepting students as long as their needs can be met. Children with emotional, academic or physical difficulties are adequately provided for through rigorous and specially designed programmes. This is done mainly to support families, as

AL MUNA PRIMARY SCHOOL …PUTS STUDENTS’ NEEDS FIRST


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there are few facilities in Abu Dhabi to cater to the educational needs of these children. A few years ago, the leadership in the school took the decision to use the expertise, within the school, to set up what is now known as The Oasis Room.

This is a facility designed specifically to support students who may have a learning difficulty such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia (difficulty with numbers), developmental delays and speech or language difficulty. It also caters to

students who are new to the English National Curriculum and need extra support. The staff are very skilled and work very hard to enable students to make progress by providing lessons that are relevant to the students’ readiness and developmental needs as well as their learning styles and interests.

Al Muna Primary’s gifted students have been introduced to programmes to motivate them further towards achieving their highest potential. Special programmes have been

designed in particular to promote gifted UAE nationals, which make up twenty-seven per cent of the school’s student population. Examples of this include a music-mixing workshop that was recently conducted by popular Dubai One DJ Saif Al-Naji, who encouraged the students to work hard because there are many exciting job opportunities, like his job, that are available to them. An Emirati author also visited and worked with students on story writing. There was also a visit by a veterinarian.


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National Day is celebrated with much fanfare and is a whole school community event, led by the school’s Arabic staff. They create their own traditional heritage village with animals, traditional crafts and cookery, which takes three or four days to be put in place. Students then spend the morning visiting the heritage village. A big assembly follows where the UAE cultural dances and other traditions are performed. Finally, in the afternoon, the families come in and it becomes a big picnic on the field.

A number of the programmes in place at Al Muna Primay are reminiscent of the school’s core values. This year, special focus was given to the environment. Each year group was assigned its own project under topics such as recycling, the sustainability of eating local food and the conservation of electricity among other topics. Evidence of the projects is displayed in the schoolyard and along various corridors. The front of the school features two bespoke camels that the students worked on with an artist as a reminder for students of environmental awareness. There is also a small garden where rocket, herbs and tomatoes grow, alongside a mini farm of chickens and tortoises naturally cared for by the children. This has become an Information Technology project for them as they blog about it on the school’s website.

Reading is crucial to students’ academic development. The Al Muna Primary School has an impressively stocked library where the students are

excited to go as they are treated to a wide range of reading material in both Arabic and English.

“Reading is the most important skill children learn when they come to school. Without being able to read, they are denied access to so many things in life. We not only want our children to be able to decode words; we want them to develop a love of reading,” states Mr Howsen.

There are a number of activities in place that encourage students to read. A few weeks ago, students made their own books, which they then sold to their parents. This was for them to say ‘we are authors’. They used the money for a charity project. This kind of activity builds confidence and inspires creativity among students. They are able to develop a good understanding of children’s authors and they have a natural love of reading. Mr Howsen notes that the key priorities


Featured School

in all this is that; students are well cared for and are safe, learning is relevant to what students need to know to live in an international community, learning is, enjoyable and fun and that staff are accountable for the progress that students make as they have very high expectations of each other.

Naturally, the school is constantly abuzz with numerous learning activities from as early as 6:45am when some extracurricular activities take place until it’s time for dismissal. Mr Howsen is busy participating in lesson observations, monitoring the students at times during break, conducting African drumming classes on Wednesday mornings and basketball practice on Thursday afternoons.

Al Muna Primay’s extensive list of student activities includes, sports such as basketball, water polo, swimming, biathlon, netball and touch rugby. Other activities include dance, Arabic dance, Arabic calligraphy, arts, design, sketching, cartoon making, and ICT among many others. These vary on a term-by-term basis.

“Visitors often say that we appear very laid back, but behind that is a backbone of really high expectations. We all have a common goal, to make sure that each child feels valued, that they are a part of the decision making process through the school council. They know that it is the job of every adult in this school to make them feel safe and to encourage them to be independent thinkers and learners.”

Students also know that academic excellence, good manners and lovely behaviour hold rich rewards for them. Each class has its own rewards system. Year 5 and 6 students are rewarded with credits when they do well or excel. Once a student has accumulated enough credits he/she can use the credits earned to purchase items from the school’s credit store. Big purchases include special trips to places such as Water World at the end of the school year. Other purchases include fifteen minutes in extra time on the ipad on a Thursday afternoon or a bit of extended playtime. Smaller purchases are pens, pencils and so on.

Students who behave really well during lunchtime get invited to sit with the principal and his deputy at the top table on the stage. This table is beautifully decorated with a nice tablecloth and has proper cutlery. Students who have a good attendance or whose punctuality is excellent get invited to a tea party that is held once per term as well.

One major reward is the gold card. This is given to students who do exceptionally well. Students who get the gold card are lauded during assembly and are featured in the school’s newsletter. All this helps to boost their confidence.

In an atmosphere that is so student centred and rich with industry, it is not surprising that students naturally push themselves to excel. The leadership is keen to point out that despite their successes, they are always looking at ways in which they can improve. This is a prime example of a school staying true to its main aim. They will continue to do better than their last best as they continue to ‘achieve success’!


Blank walls and empty shelves can feel daunting at the start of the year, but it’s also a great opportunity to be intentional

about the way you organise your classroom. Here are five tips to help you organise with purpose:

1. Be brutal in determining what to keep and what to throw out. The famous last words of a teacher are “But I might need it one day!” Don’t hoard supplies you can’t think of any use for, or keep large items “just in case.” Clear out the clutter so you can more easily access your everyday items.

2. Consider the function and placement of each item. You don’t have to use the exact same materials and displays from year to year, so resist the urge to set things up exactly as they were the year prior. A new year means a chance to try something different! Ask yourself: Will this item in this space support student learning? If something is irrelevant to your current unit of study or students’ needs, toss it out or pack it away. If you tend to over decorate or overfill your room with

materials, consider taking down one thing each time you add a new item.

3. Put materials that students will use in easily accessible locations, and store away the rest. The majority of the classroom should hold materials for the kids, so set apart a small area, perhaps in cabinets behind your desk, where you’ll store the items to be exclusively used by you. Consider the flow of the room and whether students will be able to get to their books, backpacks, etc. without creating “traffic jams” or interfering with other students’ learning. Be sure to place the items frequently used by kids in easily accessible low-traffic areas of the room, and store less frequently used materials in down low and up high places.

4. Create a simple system for organising your papers. The key to staying organised is having a place for everything, so set up bins and containers for all the different types of papers you come across. Resist the urge to let things pile up in one generic stack: I like to have an inbox for papers I need to sort through

and empty it each day before heading home. You might also want to have designated places for; papers to grade (subdivided into subject area or class period), a “to do” file, a container with papers to take down to the school office, a slot for photocopies you need to make, etc. The time you dedicate to setting up such a system, will pay off throughout the year, every time, when you need to find a particular paper quickly.

5. Leave decorative items for last. While it’s tempting to spend time creating colourful bulletin boards and cute decorations, these things aren’t essential for student learning. You’ll have limited time and energy during the back-to-school rush, so stay focused on organising materials for learning. Classroom decorations can be a work in progress, and you and your students can slowly add to wall displays throughout the year.

Angela Watson is the founder and owner of Due Season Press & Education Services. http://thecornerstoreforteachers.com

USEFUL TIPS FOR EFFECTIVELY UTILISING YOUR CLASSROOM SPACEBy Angela Watson



Inside The Staffroom

IN THE STAFFROOM…WAYS TO WIN OVER YOUR NEW COLLEAGUES

It is the start of the new school year and, for some educators it is also the beginning of work in a new school. The challenges of being

in the classroom may become more intense when you are in a new country with a different culture. Most educators are able to make new acquaintances with ease, while others might need a little nudge in the right direction, especially when it comes to winning over new colleagues. The following tips could make your transition into a UAE staffroom a bit easier.

Cultural Gifts: Most expatriate educators tend to have little trinkets and items that remind them of their home country. Share aspects of your culture by bringing gifts to your new school and colleagues. These can be CDs or DVDs with cultural practices such as appropriate music recordings or music videos of traditional dances, cooking videos, photographs of the landscape, souvenir items and more. Local educators have the advantage of being in their home country, which makes offering up cultural gi f ts e v e n

easier. This kind of gift will easily start the dialogue on culture so you will learn about your new home as well. Before you know it, you will be getting invitations to local events and perhaps planning a few of your own.

Resource Sharing: Educators are always looking out for new ideas and resources to improve their lessons. Be open about the resources that you have and share the materials and links so your colleagues can also benefit. When you are kind with your resources, your colleagues won’t think twice about sharing theirs with you. In fact, it could lead to you making lasting friendships instead of mere acquaintances at your new school.

Team Player: It’s your first week at your new school and already, one of your colleagues needs someone to

cover his/her class…what do you do? If you have a free session,

take the opportunity to cover it! Focus on the bridges that you are building by being a team player. As the school term

progresses, there will be days when you will need assistance. A cheerful disposition and eagerness to aid colleagues when they are in need will result in gaining favour.

The Native Language: The native language of the UAE is Arabic. This means that a number of your Emirati and Arab colleagues as well as many of your students will speak very little or perhaps no English. Take the time to learn key vocabulary words so as to be able to communicate with them. Once they realise that you are interested in learning the language, they will be thrilled to help you with learning even more vocabulary. You will definitely impress them, if on your first day you are able to greet them in Arabic.

A Listening Ear: There are many little challenges that add up during the first trimester of the school year. You may find yourself in a position where a frustrated colleague simply needs to talk about what he/she is going through. If you have the wherewithal to do so, just listen. Be positive with the comments that you make and if possible, find a creative way to cheer

that person up. If not, don’t be dismissive, but instead pass it on

to someone who may be able to lend an ear.

We hope these tips help you as you start this new and

exciting journey. There will be some days that are seemingly perfect and other days when you will need the support of your colleagues in getting the job done. Make your new connections count!


When I was first introduced to project work I was very much passionate about a project called “Make

Peace”. In that project, I instructed my students to create posters, write creative biographies about Nobel Prize winners, and talk about their dreams giving a speech similar to Martin Luther Kings’ famous speech. Yet, when the big day came, I couldn’t see any creative work. Instead, it was obvious that my students Googled information, copied and pasted them to their papers then recited them to the audience. I realized that students learned nothing and my first project was a total failure!

Yet, like any rational teacher, I decided to reflect on the project-based learning (PBL) approach, so I spent more time preparing for my second project, “Budding Scientists”. Throughout that project, I had been guiding my students step by step, and creating a sense of competition among groups. The results were fantabulous and I came to believe that PBL is exactly what every teacher should try. In this article, I state the top ten reasons why every teacher should give it a try.

10/Authentic Assessment: PBL provides Teachers with multiple opportunities to assess students’ learning

9/Knowledge with Practice: Unlike traditional learning in which learners rely on reciting information from books, PBL nurtures learning-by-doing which ensures life long learning.

8/Learning Styles: While traditional schooling focuses on repetition and pressured exams, PBL addresses different learning styles such as social, physical, visual, and aural learning styles

7/Bridging the Gaps: PBL is an opportunity for teachers to learn about their students’ personalities and for students to learn about each other. PBL classes do not only value freedom but they are also anxiety-free.

6/Life Skills: PBL prepares students for life. It cultivates curiosity, independence, responsibility, and self discipline.

5/Creativity and originality: One of the overriding advantages of PBL is that both teachers and learners can demonstrate their creativity and originality. Teachers get creative in the planning process

while learners are encouraged to come up with innovative ideas.

4/Self responsibility to learn: PBL sows the seeds of inquiry into learners’ minds. By asking questions and working hard to find answers, they drive their own learning. Teachers intervene solely to guide them.

3/Positive Competition: since different groups are in fierce competition for first place, each group aims at producing high quality work which leaves no room for mediocrity.

2/21st century Skills: Besides basic skills, PBL promotes 21st century Skills such as using technology, collaborating, thinking critically, solving problems, public speaking, and time management.

1/It’s Enjoyable: Learners can never learn if they are not engaged and interested in what they are doing. PBL captures all this and it is often described as ‘structured playing’, for it makes learners feel free in choosing their topics and have fun while learning.

Ms Benlamoudi is an educator and a Teach UAE Magazine Blogger.

TOP 10 REASONS EVERY TEACHER SHOULD TRY PROJECT-BASED LEARNINGBy Aziza Benlamoudi


A clear understanding of how to use data to effect change within the classroom environment empowers teachers, students

and parents. There are many forms of student data teachers can collect over the school year. Once this data is collected the question then becomes; “what do we, as teachers, do with it?”

Currently, our profession is fixated on students’ results from tests and examinations. Yes, it is true that such data can be useful. However, as teachers, we spend the entire year collecting all sorts of valuable information about students that can inform and influence us in; how we teach, as well as where and what we review, re-adjust and re-teach throughout the entire school year.

Here are some suggestions on how we can effectively use students’ data to inform our teaching and the students’ learning:

#1 Informal Classroom AssessmentsChecking for students’ comprehension using informal assessments is really the most important way to gather student data. Exit slips, brief quizzes, and thumbs up/ down are some of my favourite ways to gather information on where students are and where we need to go next. The use of a simple ‘traffic light’ system to check comprehension can also be very effective in assessing how much the students are learning. Students can be supplied with red, yellow and green cards, which they can use to indicate to the teacher their level of comprehension. Green means they understand fully and can work independently. Yellow indicates that they have a fair understanding, but still need more assistance to fully understand. Red means they do not understand and need your assistance.

Observations of studentsObservation is one of the key data collection tools used by classroom teachers. The effectiveness of this technique is dependent on your students being comfortable with you walking around and sitting with them in their groups. In other words, they don’t

freeze up when you step away from the podium or your teacher-directed spot by the whiteboard, to carry out observations of their activities. This freedom allows you to be a fly on the wall, gathering data on individual students -- how well are they at mastering the content being delivered or the task at hand and interacting with others? Are they having difficulty with a learning activity? Observation data then allows us to adjust the pace of the lesson for the whole class or scaffold for those students who are still struggling.

Exams, Extended writing or Special ProjectsSummative assessments, such as a literary analysis essay or an end-of-unit test, allow us to measure the growth of individual and whole-group learning. If a large number of students don’t do well on an important end of unit test, we need to reflect on the teaching and make necessary adjustments in the future.

#2 Student FilesA lot of useful information can be found in a student’s file. It’s difficult to find the time to do it, but if you haven’t before, it is well worth it. At the end of the year, you will have some very vital information to pass on to your students’ next teacher.

From a child’s cumulative files you can sometimes see a dramatic grade change somewhere along the road during the school year. Perhaps prior to fifth grade, the child was an A student,

then from there, D’s and F’s. You can express this concern, sharing this data with them. Students may then share with you a reason: parents divorced, they moved to a new city/community. You then have a chance to provide empathy, acknowledge their hardship, and then set some goals together, aimed at helping the child to improve academically.

#3 Standardised TestsExamining previous standardised test scores for your current students is beneficial in several ways. Please note, that I do not encourage the use of standardised test scores by themselves in the UAE for many reasons, chief of which is their unreliability.

First, you can share the testing results with students individually and then set some obtainable, realistic targets for them to work towards before the next test.

What are the ways in which you collect student data and how has this benefited the instruction and learning in your classroom? Be sure to share your methods with your colleagues. Data collection, analysis and usage are key ingredients in reinforcing the instruction and learning process in the classroom. Without proper data collection and analysis, teachers can experience a somewhat challenging time in planning lessons which truly meet the students’ needs.

EFFICIENT USE OF STUDENTS’ DATA… By Pansy Walker



One of the most important elements of a classroom is the activities that are used to facilitate learning. A challenge

many educators face is figuring out how to ensure that all students are given equal learning opportunities, especially since they learn in different ways. It therefore helps to use some of the valuable time in the first few days of returning to school to conduct a learning style survey of your students. Once this is done, you can then plan your lessons according to the kinds of learning styles that are in your classroom.

Why are learning styles important?Learning styles determine how a student acquires and processes the information given in the classroom. If a student is unable to do this effectively, the lesson is lost and the student’s achievement will suffer.

What are the basic learning styles? Learning styles basically encompass three basic senses: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic. There are other researchers who propose far more categories but for this article I will focus primarily on these three. By reflecting on students in your past classes, you can probably identify some students as ‘always out of their seat’, ‘always making noises’, or ‘always drawing/doodling on their papers’. These are some of the outward clues which can help in identifying your students’ learning styles.

Next, know your teaching style. Many of us teach according to how we learn most effectively. Being a visual learner, I tend to use many visual aids, posters, and pictures to illustrate my lessons. Unfortunately, an aural or kinesthetic learner in my class is going to need more than that to comprehend the key concepts of the lesson. Therefore, I have to make a conscious effort to cater to the other learning styles which may be present in my classroom. Here are just some of the things that we as teachers can do to ensure we are catering to as many of our students’ learning styles as possible:

Visual: Visual students process information using sight. They should be placed near the front of the classroom so that other students or objects do not distract them. When teaching vocabulary, a good strategy for visual learners is to show them the word accompanied by a picture or illustration of the word. Math teachers should use a document projector to show step-by-step solutions to problems. Subject area content should be enhanced with the use of video clips, slide shows, presentations and pictures.

Auditory/Aural:Students in this category need to hear information in order to process it. They are the learners who will need to sit

close enough to hear the information,

but do not necessarily need a clear line of vision. An effective vocabulary lesson for auditory learners includes choral repitition and spelling of words and definitions. Math lessons should include narration of each step in the problem-solving process. Audio clips, songs, mnemonic devices and speeches will ease the learning process for these learners in all other subjects.

Kinesthetic: Many younger students fall into the kinesthetic category. These students should be allowed to have controlled movement during lessons in order to allow their learning process to take place (i.e. squeezing stress balls, sitting on alternative seating such as a gym ball, or standing at their desk). A kinesthetic vocabulary activity might include spelling out words using letter tiles or even paper plates with letters on them. Improved retention of math concepts can be gained by using manipulatives such as cubes or counters. All kinesthetic learners will benefit from dramatization activities, interactive games and scavenger hunts.

Where can you find learning style surveys? They are as close as your computer. Some good websites to try are vark-learn.com, ldpride.net, and edutopia.org. Use and modify these surveys to fit your students. Younger children should be asked fewer, simpler questions, while Cycle 2 and 3 students can take a complete survey. Feel free to share these websites with your Arabic colleagues as these surveys can also be translated into Arabic.

Learning and using a variety of learning styles in your classroom has the added benefit of expanding your teaching experience. Don’t be afraid to think outside your own learning style – you will find the new skills rewarding!

LEARNING STYLES MATTERBy Bettina Fuentes



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KATIE CORR & JANE LANGTON … ADVOCATES OF LEARNING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Most educators will agree that a school’s success is largely dependent on its staff, in particular, its educators. Al

Muna Primary School has been lauded as one of the top private schools in Abu Dhabi. This particular accolade is well deserved since the school’s staff is representative of some of the best teachers in the UAE.

Teach UAE Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Katie Corr and Jane Langton of Al Muna Primary, who came highly recommended for their innovative work with what they have named Desert Schools.

Katie Corr is a native of Birmingham, England whose family connections in the UAE made her decision to move here a bit easier. It also helped that she was given the opportunity to move abroad with what she describes as a fast growing company, the prestigious Aldar Academies. Her love for teaching coupled with a great school that allows

her to explore her creative ideas in the classroom have resulted in fruitful learning opportunities for her students and practical experience worth sharing with other educators.

Jane Langton, also from England, brings a lovely energy and much enthusiasm to her students and all whom she meets. She became a teacher because she really wanted to change people’s lives and so far, she has been doing just that. Jane has been in the UAE for four years. Her extensive experience in education and ability to work well with her colleagues have made her a wonderful collaborator and innovator, one from whom a lot more great work is expected.

Tell us about the Desert Schools Project. What motivated you to start it?

Katie: Our Desert Schools project started two years ago. It came about as a way of enhancing our curriculum.

Our Principal, Mr Howsen is always encouraging us as teachers to strive to be creative with our lessons. We took on the challenge and came up with the idea of using the local environment for children to learn outside of the classroom in the great outdoors. We wanted to make our lessons practical and memorable thus the desert school project was born. We also wanted to cater to the different needs of our students because we realised that not all students learn best by just sitting in a classroom, some of them need to be actively moving and engaged in practical real life activities. We set up the project for a trial period to start with. We started with children in year one visiting Desert Schools and bringing literacy activities that were linked to our topics to the beach at Al Bateen, which is where the project began.

Jane: I became part of Desert Schools this year. I work with FS2 (Foundation Stage 2 or Kindergarten). We decided to do a project linking two age groups.


Our motivation for that was particularly to develop confidence in the children by creating a peer-buddy system. So year 3 classes, which are Katie’s classes, are working with the FS2 classes as partners. The setting-up of the peer-buddy system encouraged the year 3 senior students to take on a sense of responsibility in helping the younger children to do their learning in the outdoor environment.

Katie: We also wanted to engage them further in language. We wanted to encourage effective verbal communication, which is one of the key priorities of the school this year. This is why the project fitted so well with older children acting as peer buddies for the younger ones.

What were some of the challenges of the project and how were these dealt with?

Katie: One of the challenges was with establishing the peer partners. We weren’t sure of what the outcome would be. Previously, we had only done it with the same age group in the same class. So the challenge was not only setting it up, but also to see whether the Year 3s would be up to the challenge, as well as how the FS2 students would relate to an older child working with them. It required that the Year 3s be in charge and facilitate their learning at the beach.

Jane: One of the ways in which we addressed this issue was to allow the classes to spend time with each other prior to taking them to the beach. This gave the students the opportunity to get to know their partners. At the beginning of each session, we included activities to foster the bond that was needed. These activities included shadowing their partners for a day.

Katie: They played the “Mirrors” game as well. At the end of each session, they were given a reflection time so that they could talk to each other about what they had learned for the day, their experiences and what they did. There was a lot of talking involved. In the end, they became quite close friends.

What guidance did you offer to the students during the project?

Katie: We acted as facilitators mainly. We ensured that they were on task by using little prompt questions at different points. We didn’t want to be too fully involved once they were out there because we had already spent a lot of time doing the preparation with them.

Jane: Each time we went to the beach, the students had specific activities that they were involved in. They knew beforehand what they had to do. We were enabling them as ‘buddies’.

Were there any surprises? If yes, what were these and how did they

affect the next steps that you took with the project?

Katie: One of the surprises was the success of the peer buddies. We were very pleased by the outcome.

Jane: It really took off. We did it as a

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trial because there are three classes in Year 3 and FS2. It worked really well so now we are thinking about expanding it!

Katie: The Year 3 was up for the challenge and the FS2 students showed a lot of independence. That was really good.

What is the short-term impact of the project?

Katie: The short term impact is to have creativity in the curriculum, bringing the learning outdoors. One of our key focuses was obviously celebrating UAE culture and making children from many different cultures here aware of where they are from. It is so important especially coming up to 43rd National Day.

Jane: Do you want to give her an example of an activity that we did?

Katie: Yes, we used Andy Goldsworthy [British sculptor, photographer and environmentalist] and his images of what he creates with his art. Andy creates site-specific sculpture and

land art situated in natural and urban settings. This gave the students a similar opportunity to create their own art at the beach.

Jane: They used pebbles, shells and sticks and created a montage similar to work done by Andy. They were really inspired. We were excited to watch them as they worked and also by their end product.

What is the long-term goal of the project?

Katie: It started in Year One and it’s been two years. We escalated it to Year 3 and FS2. I would say the long-term impact is that it is sustained in the system throughout the school. We hope that other year groups will get involved and be able to enhance their learning outside of the classroom. We also hope it can have an impact for EAL learners in speaking and listening as well as improving their vocabulary. Hopefully it will be something they will remember from Primary school, that they went to desert schools.

Jane: I think that other year groups will take it up next year. It’s been successful in Year One, with Year 3 and FS2 and so now many other classes throughout the school will do it. Another long-term impact is that this is an Aldar school and Aldar training for professional development is done throughout all the academies. As a result of the success of this project, we are going to do some training workshops with teachers in all the other academies. We hope to share the practice and that they will also benefit from doing a similar project.

Provide us with tips for other schools that would like to implement such a project? What resources would they require?

Katie: You have to have a creative mind and to also allow time for it in your curriculum. Jane and I have different year groups and were following different curriculums, as a result proper planning was required to ensure that the timing was right for the two curriculums to effectively work together.


Jane: We would invite persons who are interested to come with us to the beach to see how we do it. After observing they can talk it through with us and then if we are doing the trainings, they can learn more about it.

Katie: It would help to make it as cross curricular as possible. If it fits with a certain topic that a school is doing with a particular year group, it would be really good to link it to the local environment. So if they do not wish to use the beach, they can use the desert. Basically, whatever you are teaching in literacy, if you base your literacy work on a story, using a project like this can enhance the activities at the beach/desert. So if you are doing a story on the rainbow fish, then your activities could be dramatizing a part of the story, creating nets for the fish, using puppets to inspire them in different ways. You take them out of the classroom to the outdoor setting where they can be creative and apply their skills.

Jane: We told you about literacy. We also did an art project and some Mathematics activities at our desert school. It is just another venue to learn in. Those children who do not like to sit with a book enjoyed these activities. They were interested, motivated and engaged.

Do you have any upcoming projects?

Katie: We are just looking at the Arabic department in our school with the way that they teach letters to natives and non-native learners. We are going to look at using the same style that the English curriculum encourages with using review, teach, practice and apply. We are going to explore how it’s linked, so that we can set up a peer buddy system with the Arabic department, the school and the Western teachers so that its successfully integrated.

There are many ways of stimulating the learning process in students. A change of environment has certainly proven to be useful in facilitating creativity, student engagement and improving the social skills of the students who participated. Both teachers are very enthusiastic about the progress that their classes have made in the desert schools. With educators like Katie and Jane, Al Muna Primary School will continue to shine.

Featured Teacher


F O R Y O U R I N F O R M A T I O N

Here are a few key Arabic words/phrases that every new educator should be aware of when they move here.

Below you will also find useful contact information that you may need.

Useful Words and Phrases

“As-salaam alaikum” means “peace be upon you.”

“Wa alaikum as-salaam” is said in response to the greeting above. It means “and upon you be peace.”

Good morning is “Sabaah il-kheer” to respond you say “Sabaah in-nuur”

Good evening is “masaa il-kheer” to respond you say “masaa in-nuur” Goodbye is “Ma salamaa”

“Marra thaaniyya” is “again”

“Shoo” is “what?”

“Maa ismak” (male) and “maa ismik”

(female)… this is “what is your name?”

“Shukran” is “thank you”

“Afwan” is “you are welcome”

“La, Shukran” is “No, thank you.

“Na’am, shukran” is “Yes, thank you.”

“Inshallah” means “God willing”

“Al-hamdu lillāh” means “Thanks and Praise to Allah/God” or “All praise belongs to Allah”. Its use is very widespread and may translate to meaning “thankfully”, “Thank God” or “Thank goodness”.

“Mā shāʼ Allāh” means “Whatever Allah (God) wills”. It is often used in occasions where there is surprise at someone’s’ good deeds or achievements.

There are different ways to use the word please. “Min fadlak” means “please” to a male and “Min fadlik” to a female

“Hada” is the masculine form of the word “this”

“Hadi” is the feminine form of the word “this”

“Hadak min fadlak” (masc.) is “that please”

Hadik min fadlik (fem.) is “that please”

Hadu min fadlik” is both masculine and feminine and is “these please”

“Haduk min fadlik” is also masculine and feminine and is “those please”

“Ma’ a salaama” is goodbye… to respond to a female “allaah yisallimik” and to a male “allaah yisallimak” both carry the literal meaning “May God keep you safe”.

*The spellings and some of the definitions of most Arabic words may differ, as this is dependent on how they are spelt in the different regions.

Important Contact NumbersAbu DhabiFire: 02-997Police: 02-999 Ambulance: 02-998

Electricity: 02-991 (Abu Dhabi), 03-991 (Al Ain) Water: 02-991 (Abu Dhabi), 03-991 (Al Ain)

General Naturalisation & Residency Department: 02-4447333Abu Dhabi Naturalisation & Residency Department: 02-4462244Al Ain Naturalisation & Residency Department: 03-7625555

DubaiFire: 04-997Police: 04-999Ambulance: 04-998

Electricity & Water (Dewa): 04-991Dubai Naturalisation & Residency Department: 04-3980000

SharjahFire: 06-997Police: 06-999 Ambulance: 06-998

Electricity, Water, Gas: 06-991Sharjah Naturalisation & Residency Department: 06-572677

Ras Al KhaimahFire: 07-997Police: 07-999 & 07-2053000Ambulance: 07-998

Electricity: 07-2287766Water: 2283366Ras Al Khaimah Naturalisation & Residency Department: 07-2273333

Umm Al QuwainFire: 06-997Police: 06-999 & 06-7650707Ambulance: 06-998

Electricity & Water: 06-7665333Umm Al Quwain Naturalisation & Residency Department: 06-7666419

AjmanFire: 06-997Police: 06-999 & 06-7439999Ambulance: 06-998

Electricity: 06-7434888 Water: 06-7430999Ajman Naturalisation & Residency Department: 06-7434444

FujairahFire: 09-997Police: 09-999 & 09-2224411Ambulance: 09-998

Electricity & Water: 09-2222225Fujairah Naturalisation & Residency Department: 09-2222727

After The Bell

Travel

Health Finance

Bella

From easy make-up tips to quick ways to relax after a hectic day, Bella has the answers to your beauty tricks and fixes.

Wealth management, savings and loans, retirement planning and so many more

useful tips are provided for you.

Educators love to travel. Check out our Travel Snapshots and Travel Featured stories for an intimate look at some of the places other educators have travelled and find useful tips on how to

make travelling a lot easier and fun.

Here’s to your health! Teaching is a demanding job. These helpful tips should assist you in achieving a healthy and

happy lifestyle.

After The BellSeptember 201432

A MOMENT WITH PAUL KENNY Founder and CEO of cobone.comand triperna.comBy Carolyn Lee

After The Bell September 2014 33

The 21st century has heralded a change in the way the world conducts business. Through technology and social media

platforms, we are able to see more, do more and experience the world in new ways.

One such experience is that we are allowed snapshots of some talented, assiduous and innovative personalities. These pioneers are equipped with tenacity, drive and in some instances sheer genius. They have taken simple ideas and created thriving businesses. What makes them more impressive is that they belong to a school of divergent thinkers who are willing to push the boundaries. Paul Kenny, founder and CEO of cobone.com and Triperna is poised as one of these influential entrepreneurs to watch within the business community of the UAE and MENA region.

In 2007, a very ambitious Paul left his home in Galway, Ireland to assume the role of an intern with the Jumeirah Group (JG). After resigning his position with the JG, he worked his way up through a number of different jobs. Three years later, in August 2010, his first company cobone.com, a ‘Daily Deal’ website which provides money saving offers to online shoppers in the Middle East, went live.

Paul currently wears the hats of innovator, business leader and architect of his own dreams. Still, the underlining message in his amazing success story is that of his unrelenting determination which has resulted in the creation and preservation of his dreams.

Mr Kenny, you have been identified as an entrepreneur to watch in the region. Tell us a bit about your businesses.

PK: In August 2010 my first business, cobone.com, went live. This was a Daily Deal business focusing on providing great offers to consumers throughout the Middle East. What was unique about our business at the time was that we were one of the first Internet companies in the Middle East. We had the challenge to educate the consumers on how to buy online. In fact, many of our consumers did not have a credit card, so we had to hand deliver the coupons to people’s doors and collect cash from them. This was an incredibly exciting business, one that is continuing to grow and has given me many sleepless nights.

My next venture was called Triperna.com. This is an online travel agency where you can book your next hotel/holiday stay. We launched in November and we have hundreds of amazing destinations on our site. We are growing very quickly. This is such an electrifying business to be in as the travel industry in the Middle East is growing at such a fast rate. The market sits at over $35bn and is expected to grow significantly, especially with Dubai Expo 2020 and the Qatar World Cup coming soon.

My 3rd venture is called Emerge Ventures, which is a company that looks to invest in the best technology entrepreneurs in the Middle East. We have already made a number of

investments. We not only support them with capital but also with know-how and expertise. It is incredibly stimulating to meet so many great entrepreneurs around the region.”

Who is your favourite teacher and why?

PK: I actually have a few. I would definitely say my Irish teachers in high school. They drove the best out of me and showed that consistency paid off. They always demanded the best, while giving support.

Give us three key things that every entrepreneur should consider before going into business.

PK: There are important questions that

you should ask yourself. How big is the problem that you are solving and do you have something unique that nobody else is doing? The third thing would be a bit of advice. Focus on the long term and don’t give up at the first challenge.

Do you have a philosophy that you use to guide some of the key business decisions that you make? If yes, what is this?

PK: Yes. I always hire people that are better than me. In fact, they are ten times better than me. That way, I get the best possible advice for key business decisions that I need to make. It has taken me some time to master hiring the best people. But when you do, you know it because your business just grows so fast. We have an amazing team at Cobone and Triperna and our results show that.

What was your last luxury purchase?

PK: I spent my 30th birthday in the Maldives. It was amazing. I didn’t want to come back!

What gadget can’t you live without?

PK: That would be my Macbook Air.

What do you do for fun? Why?

PK: Travel by far is my favourite thing to do. I love to explore new cities, find new ideas and have time away from my businesses to think and figure out how to grow them even more.

What is one of your proudest achievements to date?

PK: Being able to start three companies before I was 30.

Mr Kenny’s businesses are intimately linked to a common human desire, that is, accessibility to the things we crave, at the right price. He is constantly examining ways of improving his businesses. A key goal on which he is focused is building the biggest online travel company in the MENA region. We anticipate more spectacular achievements from him in the years ahead.

A Moment With


In the previous issue, I talked about my trip to Salalah in Oman. After that whirlwind of a weekend and only a few hours at home to

get some sleep, my friend and I were back at the airport for the second leg of our journey, Romania.

The package holiday we had booked provided us with transfers to and from the airport. A driver was waiting for us outside the Bucharest Airport customs hall. The drive to our hotel took a little less than thirty minutes. We had expected the city to be similar in look to Tbilisi but noted that it was more modern and less austere in appearance. Arriving in early spring meant that the climate was pleasantly fresh. A light jacket was all that was needed for the entire trip.

Our hotel was located in the center of the city and within walking distance of a few key attractions. We checked in, put away our bags and headed straight into the city for a quick wander. Our walk took us through a local park that sits on the edge of the Palace of Parliament; an imposing building that seemed to take up a whole city block.

From there, we walked up through a trendy part of town with lots of cafes and restaurants that reminded me a bit of London’s Soho. There were many monasteries and most were open to the public. Most allow pictures to be taken inside, as long as respect is given to the worshipers and no flash is used.

Not far from the restaurants was the famous Revolution Square. This was where on December 22, 1989 the former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu fled by helicopter from the roof of the building that was home to the former Romanian Communist Party. It was here that the Romanian Revolution was born. The square contains monuments to commemorate that day. The Royal Palace, which is also in the square, now houses the National Museum of Art of Romania.

On our second day we hired a driver to take us to Transylvania to see Bran Castle. It was this castle, and its most famous denizen, Vlad the Impaler, that provided the inspiration for the book, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. After all, what’s a trip to Romania without visiting Dracula’s castle?

The drive from Bucharest took nearly three hours but was broken up with a few stops at other sights such as the stunning, Manastirea Castel Peles in Sinaia. On arriving at Bran, we toured the castle and bought a few souvenirs. I have to admit, the castle was not as exciting as I had expected. I realized later that I had gone there with an image of the Hollywood interpretations colouring my expectations. What I encountered was a fairly plain castle (if such a thing exists) surrounded by picturesque landscapes. It did not help much that we visited on a beautifully warm and cloudless day.

However, it was not a wasted day as

the drive across the beautiful Romanian countryside with its snow-capped mountains and lush fields, more than made up for it. Our last stop in this region was in the quaint medieval town of Brasov. We did not have enough time to really do it justice, but the little we saw convinced us that we need to make an extended return visit. There were just too many cobbled paths beckoning for us to take a stroll through history.

RENDEZVOUS IN ROMANIABy Richie Chin

Travel Featured

Palace of the Parliament in Romania. According to the World Records Academy, it is the world’s largest civilian building with an administrative function, most expensive administrative building and heaviest building.


This month’s article is aimed more towards new expatriates based in the UAE, although I am sure others will be able to relate

or benefit.

Like most expatriates, the main reason we move offshore is simply to achieve more income compared to our previous jurisdiction. From my experience, there are two main financial objectives made from the outset.

The first is to save as much money made in a tax-free jurisdiction as possible. Then return to our home country, or proceed elsewhere, with an accumulated lump sum, to set up a future, which possibly wasn’t available to us prior to relocating. The second is to stay offshore for a longer term, whilst enjoying a better lifestyle and planning for a more comfortable retirement.

Both seem very achievable on paper, but what a lot of people do not realise, especially if they have never visited the UAE prior to the move, is that the UAE has a vibrant and expensive social life to offer. This can take back in one hand what it gives us with the other and worse still much more than we actually earned.The majority of my clients are offered a significant salary increase when moving offshore, and also live in company-

provided accommodation, which could be deemed as an upgrade. What some people fail to realise is that they may not be truly prepared to instantly deal with such a significant increase in their earnings in such a short amount of time. This can lead to our monthly outgoings becoming increasingly higher, and making purchases that would be deemed as a luxury as opposed to a necessity.

The other problem we have to contend with is the ease with which we are able to borrow from Banks in the UAE. For those of us who are Western expatriates, we are accustomed to loan applications being somewhat of a lengthy process, that takes into account our credit rating and monthly outgoings against our monthly salary. However, a credit card in the UAE is offered as part of a current account application with a loan being offered very soon after. These applications can be completed within a matter of hours.

My advice on avoiding falling into such traps which believe me is very easily done is to resist the temptation of making purchases against borrowed funds. No matter how big or small the purchase, it is wise to wait until you have had at least 6-12 months living experience and a clearer understanding of the affordability to borrow.

Key questions you should keep in mind when making purchases are:

• If you have to borrow in order to buy, can you truly afford the item?

• Is the item a necessity? • Do you actually already own it?

A simple technique whilst we are gauging our affordability factor is to open a savings account with your bank and regularly deposit a fixed amount towards your desired savings goal. This type of account will not give you massive returns with regards to interest, but it gives immediate access to your funds whenever necessary. After 6 months you will have a much greater understanding of your disposable income and then can look to move an affordable monthly amount offshore to achieve the financial objectives set out from inception.

The important thing to remember is that most of us are giving up quite a lot to be here, whether it be family, friends or the structured lifestyle we have enjoyed for many years. Therefore, I am quite certain we will agree that to move offshore to accumulate more debt than we came with would be most unwise.

For additional information, contact Aaron Crotty at: [email protected]

MONEY MANAGEMENT TIPS & STRATEGIESBy Aaron Crotty

Finance


Health

You’ve just spent an incredibly relaxing time during your summer break. Maybe you travelled to somewhere with

crystal clear oceans and rainbow coloured hammocks where you sipped fruit mocktails. Perhaps you spent time eating familiar foods and laughing with friendly faces back home. You might even have spent your summer break enjoying the relative quiet of Ramadan here in the UAE. Regardless of how you spent your holidays, it’s likely that you are well rested, feeling at peace and energized.

Now you begin to think about returning to the classroom, and perhaps you

start to feel anxious. Don’t worry; this is a common emotional response that can be experienced by either a veteran teacher or a newbie. Great teachers tend to be perfectionists and want to get everything right as soon as they step into the classroom. However, each school year comes with a classroom full of new faces – perplexed, happy, indifferent, friendly, hostile - and in as short a time as possible, you’ll have to figure out how to effectively teach this mixed cast of characters. If any of this sounds familiar, here are some tips to help you start off the new school year anxiety free!

It helps to keep in mind that your students are probably as or more anxious than you. They will likely act out their anxiety in a variety of ways that you’ll have to decipher while trying to maintain your cool. Thinking of starter

activities that will make everyone in the classroom laugh and have fun

will definitely help to alleviate both the teacher and students’ anxiety

on the first day back.

The more prepared you are for the first several weeks, the less anxious you will be. Decide what your classroom rules, consequences and rewards system will be ahead of time. Students thrive in an orderly

classroom and you will feel more confident with rules in

place. Make sure your students understand the rules and that

you are serious about their enforcement. Changes

can always be made to them later in the trimester, in order for the rules to be more reflective of the context of the classroom.

Arranging your classroom and

having a week’s

worth of lesson plans will help to decrease your anxiety by making you feel prepared. Set up a student-friendly classroom that is colourful and print rich. Have student portfolios ready to deposit samples of students’ work and assessments. Of course, be prepared with all of your basic materials: white board markers and eraser, pencils, paper and any other essentials. Having your lesson plans prepared ahead of time will help you feel accomplished and less prone to anxiety.

If you can, reach out to parents before the first day of school. Introduce yourself as their child’s teacher and share your school-based expectations with them. They will appreciate the gesture, which could even lead to their becoming an ally. Don’t forget to develop collegial bonds with the other teachers at your school as well! Developing a school-based support network is an important way to alleviate back to school anxieties and strengthen your confidence.

Your first week of school sets the foundation for the rest of the school year. Approach it with a clear focus as to what your goals are and how you plan to achieve them. Remember to relax. This is just another day back, doing what you love with people who also enjoy what they do! Have a great school year.

START THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH CONFIDENCEBy Aisha Shakti Hakim


BONNA ANNEE TRY SOMETHING NEWBy Richie Chin

Taste It - Share It

Establishment: Bonna Annee Cuisine: EthiopianLocation: Tourist Club Area - Behind HSBC on Salam [8th Street]Dish: Bonna Annee Special

As a rule of thumb, whenever I try out a new cuisine, if the food is not homemade I go to a restaurant that is frequented

by people for whom this food is local. This is usually a good indicator that the food will be authentic and probably well prepared. Arriving at Bonna Annee Restaurant, I was pleased to note that it was filled with many Ethiopian and Eritrean diners.

Being new to Ethiopian food, my friends and I decided to order what the waitress recommended, the Bonna Annee Special. The special is essentially a taster platter that is comprised of small portions of a variety of popular dishes served on top of injera, which is, traditional Ethiopian

bread served with most meals. Meal times in Ethiopia are about sharing and this one was no different as the injera came on a large communal bowl. The waitress served the meat, vegetables and lentils on the injera, arranging them in a way that allowed each of us easy access to sample the various items.

All of the dishes had a hearty, homemade taste to them. There were two beef dishes (one grilled, the other a stew), a lentil stew, a chickpea stew, sautéed mixed vegetables and injera soaked in the house sauce. Most of the dishes contained a blend of Ethiopian chilli powder with varying degrees of spiciness; however, none of them were too spicy. The waitress gladly provided the table with pots of the in-house chilli sauces to increase the heat of each dish.

The injera bread is similar in look to a crepe but with a spongy texture. It has

a sour taste and acts as the perfect complement to the stews. The bread also does double duty as the vehicle for the foods as meals are eaten with the right hand.

I recommend that you finish off your meal with coffee. It will be served with popcorn, a surprisingly delightful accompaniment.

Bonna Annee restaurant has a friendly atmosphere with wait staff who are efficient and helpful. The décor could benefit from some updating, but even so, it is quite comfortable. Go there at noon on a Friday. It will be busy, but the crowd adds to the ambience.

Why This Interests Me?Though fine dining is great as an occasional treat, I find much joy in learning about the blend of cultures that exist in the UAE, while sampling a few of the many recommended ethnic restaurants dotted across the country.

The Bonna Annee Special.

Popcorn and coffee are usually served at the end of the meal.


Leisure

38

ALL WORK & NO PLAY … HOW TO CREATE WORK-LIFE BALANCE By PreSha H. Barnes

Professional development sessions, setting up the classroom, getting to know new students and colleagues; these

are just a few of the myriad of things that educators are faced with during the first few weeks of the new school year. It is not surprising that during this time, some very important people are left in the background, the families.

It is fairly easy for educators to become consumed with daily routines and procedures. While consistency to procedures is quite important to maintaining an efficient professional life, it is also necessary to ensure that this does not negatively impact on the amount and quality of time spent with your family. Spending quality time with your family should be ranked equal to, if not higher than our professional life. The following activities are designed to remind you of the people who will; cheer you up after a long and challenging day, hug you when you least expect it and support you unconditionally.

Movie NightPlan a regular movie night and keep the date. It helps to create a list of movies that cover the different genres that your family enjoys watching. Votes can be taken to determine the order of the viewing schedule. This will ensure that everyone is accommodated fairly. Whether you plan a night out at the local cinema or having a movie marathon via your favourite online video streaming service, just make it

fun! If you are staying in, get the entire family involved by assigning each person with a responsibility that helps to make the evening run smoothly. Tasks could include, but not limited to; purchasing or preparing the family’s favourite snacks, blanket gathering duty, or setting up the technology for streaming the movie.

Games NightDo you remember those days when everyone simply got together and battled it out playing their favourite games? Your games night can consist of good old-fashioned board games or some newer electronic games. This not only brings your family together physically but it also promotes a spirit of friendly competition. Be sure to select board games that all family members can enjoy. For the more difficult games, partner younger family members with an adult or older sibling so as to make them feel more involved.

Fun Dinner Night Plan at least one night per week where all family members sit down to have dinner. Try to make it a night of relaxation by creating a variation in the kinds of meals you prepare. For example one week you can do a meal that has everybody’s favourite and make it a semi-formal affair. Another week it can be your favourite snacks where everyone sits in their favourite place outside or in the living area while you catch up on what each person has been doing for the week or plans to do in the days ahead. Sharing a meal together each week can

be a good family tradition, especially if most members of the family tend to have busy lifestyles.

Family Day in the SunWhat can be better than crystal blue waters, warm sand and a gentle breeze while drinking your favourite cold beverage? Add to that watching your loved ones laugh and play on the beach and you have the recipe for a perfect day. When planning a beach trip be sure to include some fun activities such as making sand castles and playing volleyball. Get involved in some of the fun activities that your children may enjoy like; flying kites, throwing the Frisbee or a ball with the family dog. With plenty of beverages, sunscreen and love, any family time on the beach can be a day to remember.

Downtime is very important for all professionals. It allows them to relax and focus on enjoying the ones they love. Family time creates an environment in which your family will be able to see how much you value and appreciate them. This may also cause them to be more understanding of the times when you genuinely cannot be there. Making the effort to have family time ultimately leads to an improved work-home balance, which is key to every professional’s well-being.

PreSha Barnes is a freshly minted ADEC employee. She is also a Teach UAE Magazine Blogger.


Over time a number of people have developed a somewhat unhealthy fear of visiting the dentist. Overcoming this fear is

imperative to one enjoying good dental health. If you are a parent your attitude towards dentist visits is also vital if your children are to develop a positive outlook on dental hygiene and visits to the dentist.

According to American psychiatrist, Karl Augustus Menninger, “Fears are educated into us and can, if we wish, be educated out.”

Fear is often a reaction to the unknown and that might be related to episodes in the past such as an unpleasant or painful experience related to a procedure. Often such a procedure may have been unanticipated or where a patient felt unable to control the situation. However, some people have anxiety or mood disorders associated with issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, etc., which may also reflect as fear towards the dentist.

Serious dental anxiety prevents millions of people across the world from seeking proper dental care. Most often, preventative care is all that is required. It is for this reason that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends dental check ups from the time that the first few neonatal (baby) teeth erupt.

Although there is only a small percentage of people who avoid dentists mainly out of fear. There is a higher percentage of people who experience anxiety about going to the dentist. These people tend to visit the dentist only when absolutely necessary.

Here are some simple tips to help overcome fear of the dentist:

• Uncover the cause of your fear for the dentist. Is it needles, or is it the sound of the drill? Do you fear the possibility of pain; or is it fear of picking up an infection? Once you have asked yourself these questions, you will be one step

closer to dealing with what the real issues are.

• Discuss your concerns with your dentist in an uninhibited manner. Aim to understand the procedure being performed, techniques involved, options of treatment and the possible outcome. Talking about these issues prior to the procedure may help to ease your anxiety and reduce stress during the procedure.

• Be assertive without overstepping the line. When talking to the dentist about any anxieties you may have, be friendly without being too personal and enable the dentist to know how he or she can help you to feel more comfortable.

• Ask for soothing music as a means of distraction. You can even listen to your own music while waiting. It also helps to take advantage of visual aids such as reading a pleasant book or magazine.

• Have positive thoughts. There is very little, if any, pain associated with any procedure performed at a dental office. Anesthetics are normally used to completely numb the area being treated. Dentists even offer

a locally applied anesthetic gel or solution that numbs the area before the injection is given.

• Allow the dentist to consider sedation as a means of overcoming anxiety. The use of a sedative can make a procedure, such as extraction of wisdom teeth, more bearable. Available are various types of sedation such as inhalation and intravenous sedation, which can be used, to support the procedure to be performed.

• Finally, consider seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist or even a counsellor to discuss therapies such as desensitisation, which help with true phobias.

The practice of Dentistry has evolved from an era where a visit to a dentist was associated with pain, to one with a welcoming ambience with hardly any pain but rather a relaxing experience. Your dental health is vital to your overall well-being. Don’t let fear keep you from enjoying excellent oral health. Make an appointment to see your dentist today.

Dentistry

GET OVER YOUR FEAR OF THE DENTIST’S CHAIRBy Dr Kaizad Kermani


Travel Snapshots

SNAPSHOTS … THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

An easy and quick getaway for most expatriates in the UAE has always been the beautiful Sultanate of Oman. Known for its rich history, friendly people and gorgeous landscapes, Oman has become an oasis for those who wish to relax, refresh and experience a bit more Middle Eastern hospitality. These Snapshots take you on a quick trip to wet your appetite as to what to expect when in Oman.

The Fish Market where scores of fishermen

and vendors treat shoppers to a variety of

seafood options for purchase.

Prior to the discovery of oil, Mutrah was the

centre of commerce in Oman.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the

main mosque of the Sultanate of Oman. It is

located in Bausher, Muscat, Oman.The Mutrah Hotel is the first and oldest hotel in

the Sultanate of Oman. It was built in 1970 and

is located in Mutrah in the city of Muscat, Oman.

A spectacular view of the Muscat Gate

Museum. The museum explores the city’s

history from its beginning to present day. The Gazebo Restaurant is located at the Mutrah Hotel in Mutrah. Guests are treated to a menu that includes traditional Arabic food among other dishes.

The Fish MarketOld Town of Mutrah

The Mutrah Hotel

The Muscat Gate MuseumThe Gazebo Restaurant

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque


Travel Snapshots

One of the many old forts that can be seen

while driving in Muscat, Oman.

The Mutrah Corniche is located near one of the most important ports in Oman… Port Sultan Qaboos.

This is considered by some to be one of the oldest

market places in the Arab world. It carries mainly

household goods, shoes and ready-made garments,

frankincense, perfume oils, fresh jasmine and spices

among other wares.

An Omani Naval ship docked at the Port Sultan Qaboos in Mutrah. It is the largest port in Muscat, Oman.

A traditional Omani Dhow (Arab sailing boat) lays

anchored in the Muscat Harbor (World’s largest

natural harbor).

A view of a typical Omani village in Mutrah.

Inside the Muscat Palace grounds - Sultan Qaboos

bin Said Palace in Muscat.

Old fortOmani Naval ship

Typical Omani DhowThe Mutrah Corniche

The famous Mutrah Souq Omani village in Mutrah

The Muscat Palace


September is observed as Prostate Awareness Month in a number of countries worldwide. During this time

persons are encouraged to wear a light blue ribbon, which symbolises hope for those who are affected by

prostate cancer. The idea is to increase public awareness of

prostate health, educate people about; the risk

factors and symptoms of prostate related diseases, methods of testing, possible treatment options and what can be done to potentially reduce the risk of developing prostate related diseases. Prostate cancer

has a serious impact on men’s health.

It is a disease that affects millions of men

worldwide. Let us take a look at some key points to

keep in mind when focusing on prostate health.

What is the Prostate?The prostate is part of the male reproductive system that helps to make and store seminal fluid. It is located in the pelvis, under the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder during urination and semen

during ejaculation. Its location makes it susceptible to prostate diseases that often affect urination, ejaculation and in very rare cases, defecation.

What are some of the signs of a prostate problem?Symptoms of non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) Prostate problems tend to be similar. Some of the signs that indicate a potential prostate problem include; discomfort and frequent visits to the bathroom caused by an enlarged prostate gland, delay in emptying the bladder or being unable to pass urine at all. The latter can cause the bladder to become full to the point where it overflows with extreme discomfort and pain into the lower belly or back.

What is prostate cancer?Cancer can develop in any part of the body and the prostate gland can develop it too. Prostate cancer is classified as an adenocarcinoma, or glandular cancer, that begins when normal semen-secreting prostate gland cells mutate into cancer cells. Over time, these cancer cells begin to multiply and spread to the surrounding prostate tissue forming a tumour. Prostate cancer, like any other cancer if not detected early and not treated appropriately can spread to other parts. It is one of the most common cancers that affect men above the age of 50 years old in many parts of the world. In the UAE, within the Abu Dhabi emirate, it has been reported to be the 3rd most common cancer in men.

How do you determine if you have prostate cancer? Prostate cancer can be cured if it is detected in its early stages. It is

important to keep in mind that the early stages of prostate cancer may not have any symptomatic signs or indications. It is recommended that regular prostate check ups and examinations by an UroOncologist or Urologist be done. The examination involves a digital rectal exam (DRE) and the blood test is called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy is offered expediently. The only confirmatory test for diagnosis of prostate cancer is a biopsy. This involves the removal of small pieces of the prostate for microscopic examination by the pathologist.

Why is awareness of this disease so important?Naturally, information is power and with prostate cancer it could mean the difference between life and death. Early detection increases the possibility of curing the disease. It helps in deciding the stage that the cancer is at, options for managing and treating it. Overall, it is best to speak with your UroOncologist or Urologist to decide the best treatment options for you.

In conclusion, Prostate Awareness Month is about getting an important message out there on a life threatening disease that affects men. It is crucial to keep the conversation going even after the month of September, so as to help in bringing more attention to the disease and garner more funding for research. To support men with prostate cancer all over the world, wear your light blue ribbon of hope.

Dr Rishikesh Pandya is an UroOncologist with special interest in Prostate Disease Management.

PROSTATE AWARENESS MONTH… THE LIGHT BLUE RIBBON OF HOPE

Prostate Health

Dr Rishikesh Pandya


Being home to more than 200 nationalities, one only needs to take a look around any mall in the UAE to see a variety of hair

types, textures and styles. Whether the style is curly or straight, blonde, brunette or redhead, chemically treated or natural, one thing nearly everyone can agree on is that hair that looks clean and healthy, while being stylish is the main goal. The integration of a few recommended and tested hair care tips, in our daily routines, can be the difference between healthy and unhealthy hair.

Preventing Hair FallOne problem many women complain about here in the UAE is hair fall. Some lay the blame on the UAE’s water supply. However, is desalinated water really to blame? Medical experts have weighed in on this with the consensus

being that the chemicals used to make the UAE’s seawater potable can have drying effects on the hair, skin and scalp, but drinking more water to keep hydrated is a great way to combat the problem from the inside. Installing a water filter on the showerhead might be a way to solve the problem externally.

Restoring MoistureThere are many hair products on the market that promise to return dry and frizzy hair to its optimum moisture levels. You can find these shampoos, conditioner sprays and miracle creams in local supermarkets at low costs. Designer brands, which usually attract a heftier price tag are also sold in supermarkets and salons. However, Mother Nature has also given us many natural hair products that women around the world swear by.

Coconut oil, olive oil and plain yogurt are organic products that can be used on the hair and skin with confidence. Coconut oil has been proven to help moisturize the hair and also maintain its protein levels, while, olive oil’s fatty acids, have been shown to aid hair growth. Applied topically, yogurt’s anti-bacterial properties can help to relieve dandruff.

Healthy Diet = Healthy HairAlso, remember the saying “you are what you eat.” One’s hair health can be an outward reflection of one’s diet. Keep the processed, fried, fatty sugary foods to a minimum and eat fruits, veggies and leafy greens to look your best. When your hair looks good, it’s easier to feel good about yourself and walk with confidence knowing you can take on the world.

HAIR CARE TIPS FOR UAE RESIDENTSBy Alona Ballard

Beauty


Dressing for the job does not have to mean stressing over fashion. A major advantage of working in this region is that

teachers do not have to suffer through a daily fashion show. Female teachers are encouraged to wear an abaya to work leaving them with only the need to accessorise, if they so choose. If you happen to work in a school where you do not wear an abaya, having something you can confidently grab out the closet in a flash is essential. Teachers can quickly organise a few main pieces of clothing to create a “uniform”. Therefore, there is no more closet shame over what you don’t have, or what doesn’t look right. There are 3 basic principles to keep in mind to help make your mornings flow smoothly and get you dressed in less than 5 minutes, guaranteed.

ColoursKeep your colours solid, and avoid patterns. Purchasing items of clothing in solid colours like blacks, blues, greens, browns and greys make your early mornings fast and convenient. You can mix and match without

thinking about the latest colour trends or if polka dots go with stripes. Later, throw in the occasional orange or pink to liven up your outfit. Bottoms should always be 1 or 2 colours. For example, black and beige can hold any wardrobe together. You can interchange them with loose coloured tops.

StyleA quality, pashmina scarf is a girl’s best accessory when pulling together a clean, comfortable, stylish look. Choose scarves in colours you love. You can be more adventurous here, as long as they are well made. A long, lovely pashmina will make it look like you have on a different outfit everyday even if your bottoms and tops are the same. It immediately shifts an outfit from average to absolutely classic. Scarves make you feel instantly secure and appropriately covered in a conservative work environment. Stylish, but simple options for loose fitting pants include boho/bohemian style that are loose in the hips and can either be fitted at the ankles or wide legged.

ComfortThe hours a teacher spends on her feet are more than the average worker. Teaching is physical labour. Choose well-made quality flats in neutral, light colours like tan, grey or beige. The black flat is nice, but neutrals make an outfit pop. It complements a clean look. At some point, you can throw in a pair of cute red flats when the basics are covered.

In all, two solid boho pants, two solid long skirts, five long blouses with long sleeves, and six pashminas are all you need to pull off a fifteen-piece capsule wardrobe. This limited amount requires great care of your clothes to make them last the whole school year. Avoid too much ironing or over washing, and hang up clothes immediately when you get home. The night before, pull out a pair of pants and top, lay out your scarf, and shoes. Preparing your outfit from the night before significantly reduces the time spent getting dressed in the morning. Kiss closet shame goodbye, and say hello to keeping your style simple and classy.

THE PERFECT CAPSULE WARDROBE FOR THE MINIMALIST TEACHERBy Maryann Reid

Bella


IN THE UAE… FACT FILE

What is the correct way to greet in Arabic? How do you contact the relevant bodies for matters concerning the

hospital, police or ambulance? What are some basic Arabic words and customs to keep in mind when dealing with the locals? These are just a few of the questions that most newcomers and visitors to the UAE might have. In this fact file, we share with you a few key words/phrases and customs to help you understand how things are often done in the UAE.

GreetingsStatus is important and must be recognized by using the correct title when addressing someone. It is important to greet and acknowledge the most senior person in the room first. Arabs generally address people by their first names, so David Brown will be addressed as Mr David.

Muslim women are unlikely to shake a man’s hand especially in public. Therefore, when a man is introduced to a Muslim woman, it is advisable to wait and see if she extends a hand. When a woman is introduced to a Muslim man, she should also wait to see if he offers his hand.

Always use the right hand when greeting. Among Muslims, the left hand is reserved for bodily hygiene and considered unclean. The right hand should be used for eating, shaking hands, or handing over an item.

In conversation, it is good to enquire about an Emirati’s family with specific reference to his or her children. This is a good way to build trust and to connect with your Arab counterparts. It is in poor taste for men to ask about their counterpart’s wives or daughters. Do not ask how many wives they have!

Most Emiratis greet by saying “As-salaam alaikum”. This is translated to mean ‘peace be upon you’. The response is usually “Wa alaikum as-salaam” (‘and upon you be peace’).

Children are taught at an early age how to greet members of the family as well as their neighbours (friends). It is common to see Arab men greeting each other with a “nose kiss” or khashm-makh. The Khashm-makh is a tribal custom and way of greeting that represents the values of respect, pride and Bedouin identity upheld by most Arabs in the Gulf region. Women from traditional families also practise this, especially grandmothers, towards their daughters and grandchildren. It is not uncommon to see men holding hands. This is a sign of friendship, solidarity and kinship.

Photos and information courtesy of The Sharjah Heritage Museum.

In The UAE

Henna & KohlYou will see many women sporting beautiful henna designs on their hands. Henna has been used for centuries for many Emirati celebrations especially for women. It is normally applied to hair, hands and feet. Men use henna to colour their hair, beards and moustache. Emirati women, young girls and some men use kohl (eyeliner) to make their eyes appear stronger. This is also a traditional practice that has been used for many centuries.

The Khashm-makh (nose kiss) is a form of greeting that is upheld by most Arabs in the Gulf region.


know Your UAE

Whether or not you are new to the UAE, it helps to know as much about the culture and heritage of

this constantly evolving country. Each Emirate has its own unique history and story that speaks to a progressive nation, intent on being the best at what it does. In this Know Your UAE, we explore aspects of the UAE’s rich culture and discover some of the traditions that have endured the test of time. The Sharjah Heritage Museum provides insight into the history of the UAE and its people through visual and auditory displays of the landscape, lifestyles, traditional knowledge, celebrations and more.

Due to the extensive amount of information that the museum covers, our feature on the museum will be done in a three part series.

The MuseumThe building that houses the Sharjah Heritage Museum was built around 1795 by the Al Qasimi family and is made mainly of coral, chandal wood, palm jus mortar and plaster. The house used to be known as Bait Saeed Al Taweel, which means ‘The House of Tall Saeed”. This is a reference to Saeed Bin Mohammad Al Shamsi who once lived there. Al Taweel is an informal name that referred to Saeed’s

height. Bait Saeed Al Taweel was restored in the 1990s and opened as the Islamic Museum in 1996. Further restoration was done in 2010/2011 to the entire building due to damage caused by termites and moisture. This restoration process was part of the Heart of Sharjah restoration project.

Visitors are taken through a time capsule that shows how Emiratis, who occupied the different landscapes, lived. It also shows the differences in clothing, building materials and some traditional practices among these denizens. Three main landscapes are featured; desert, mountains and the coastal areas of the UAE.

Traditional Knowledge Great importance was placed on traditional knowledge and skills because they were important to the development and survival of the early inhabitants of the UAE. Traditional knowledge and skills included; being able to identify the different types of winds for navigating safely at sea, observing the stars in order to calculate the days of the year and al tajfeer (tracking) which helped individuals to navigate the land to find animals and people. Traditional healers acted as doctors and midwives who cared for the population.

BabiesAfter a baby is born, it is washed with a mixture of hot water, salts and herbs. The father recites the call to prayer in the baby’s right ear and the iqamah (a saying recited before prayers begins) into its left ear. On the first or third day, the father chooses the baby’s name based on the names of family members, religious figures or the child’s characteristics. Singing, reading, protective verses (mu’awidhitayn) and feeding them a mixture of herbs are

THE SHARJAH HERITAGE MUSEUM

The Sharjah Heritage Museum located at Al Mareija in Sharjah.


know Your UAE

some of the techniques that were used to calm babies. Some people calmed their children by perfuming them with frankincense and khatf. In the past women gave their children water mixed with rock candy or water mixed with dates. Women also used baby milk bottles and formula milk powder to feed their young.

Also important is the aqeeqa and tahleeq. For the aqeeqa, two animals are slaughtered to commemorate a boy and one for a girl. Tahleeq is the ritual of shaving a baby’s hair. The weight of the baby’s hair is used to decide the amount of silver, gold or money that the family will donate to the poor.

Al Rolla TreeThis was a tree in Sharjah where people socialised. Al Rolla Square is located in the heart of Sharjah near Al Hisn. The square was home to an old large banyan tree where people regularly gathered during celebrations, holidays, horseracing and poetry recitals. The name rolla is derived from roal which is the name given to the tree’s fruit. The tree was said to have been about 15m tall with a 30m wide outstretched network of branches which, provided enough shade for more than 500 people to gather under. It is said that a former ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr bin Rashid Al Qasimi 1 (1803-1866), brought it to Sharjah. It is believed that the tree had lived for 150 years before dying in 1978. Rolla Square was built as a memorial to the tree.

Calendar or Al DrourArabs created an astronomical calendar called the drour for calculating the variations in the days of the year. It was used to estimate the weather and the seasons. These seasons were planting, harvesting, pearl diving and fishing seasons. The year is divided into 36 der; each der is equal to 10 days. The remaining 5 days are referred to as ‘al khams al masareeq’…the five stolen days. Counting begins in the month of August with the sighting of the Souhail star. From that point on the next 100 days would be autumn, the second 100 days would be winter. The next 100 days are spring and the remaining days are summer. Some people living in the northern emirates and north of the gulf observed winds blowing from the east to calculate their

calendar. Their calendar was called nourouz, which means ‘a new day’ in Persian.

To experience a taste of Sharjah’s rich history and UAE traditions, please visit the Sharjah Heritage Museum located at Al Mareija, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. They are opened Saturday to Thursday from 8:00am - 8:00pm and on Fridays from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. English speaking tour guides are available upon request but be sure to call +97165680006 to book an appointment and for additional information. You can also visit their website www.sharjahmuseums.ae for additional information.

Join us in the next issue for more on the Sharjah Heritage Museum and the culture of the UAE.

An example of Al Naddaf (upholsterer), who worked in shops (souqs) or visited homes to carry out their services.


Can you believe that we are already in the month of September? It seems like only a few weeks ago when many

of us were gallivanting on some idyllic shore far away from the realities of being inside a classroom.

As we return to work, let’s take a look at some important dates in the month of September.

•King Louis XIV of France (also referred to as “Sun King”) died on September 1, 1715. He had ruled since the age of five and was succeeded by his five-year-old great-grandson, Louis XV.

•On September 5, 1997, Mother Theresa died in Calcutta at age 87, after a life of good works spent aiding the sick and poor through her Missionaries of Charity order.

•September 5 is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India. It is also the birthday of the second President of India, academic philosopher Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who was born on September 5, 1888. It is considered a “celebration” day.

September 7, 1822 marks Brazil’s Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. “Dia da Independencia” in Portuguese, commonly called Sete de Setembro is a national holiday and is observed on this day each year.

•On September 14, 1814 Francis Scott Key, lawyer and amateur poet, wrote the poem The Star Spangled Banner after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore by the British ships of the Royal Navy in the Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the British and American War of 1812. Ironically, it was later set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith and fast became a popular American patriotic song. In 1931, Congress adopted The Star Spangled Banner as the national anthem of the United States of America.

• In the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, Heroes Day is celebrated on September 16 and Independence Day is celebrated on September 19.

•Puppeteer Jim Henson was born on September 24, 1936 in Greenville, Mississippi. He created the Muppets, including Kermit the Frog, and Ernie and Bert, entertaining and educating generations of children via the daily TV show Sesame Street.

• In 1999 the American Foundation for Urological Disease (AFUD) designated the month of September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY SEPTEMBER

King Louis XIV

Francis Scott Key

Mother Teresa

Jim Henson

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

teach uae magazine issue 1 volume 2 september/october 2014

Documents