Star of the Week

Habibi is my Name

Habibi is my name, 

From Canada is where I came. 

In the forest I used to roam,

Now the desert is my home.

Please take good care of me, 

And treat me like your family.

Take me wherever you go, 

And teach me all there is to know;

About your culture and life in Dubai, 

What fun we'll have, oh my!

Keep our pictures in this book, 

And as a class we'll take a look,

At all the adventures that we had, 

To be your friend I am so glad!

Habibi, as named by one of the students last year, is a very special member of our class. He works wonders as a form of behaviour management.

During Boot Camp, we are strongly encouraged to follow manual with the school's expectations laid out. As a class we discuss good choices and poor choices through Peck picture sorts, trial and error. Student are awarded stickers for:

               1. Following directions quickly!

2. Raising your hand for permission to speak!

3. Making wise choices!

These are adapted from the Whole Brain Teaching method. Once students reach 10 stickers, they are awarded with a highly coveted pencil labeled with their name and left at the writing center for use. At 15 stickers students are put on a list indicating the order in which students will take Habibi home. 

The Class Captain takes Habibi home for the weekend to share with family. I encourage parents to take pictures and journal their weekend with Habibi. I always look forward to reading the posts on Sunday, and it gives the class an idea of the students' home life and interests.

A class mascot is a great introduction to get to know your students, and they take their job as Class Captain very seriously. As "responsibility" is our Character Trait for October, there is no better way for JK's to show responsibility than by taking care of Habibi. The lessons we get out of our mascot are endless!

Habibi listening to the audio tour on the Big Bus Dubai. Very informative and highly recommended. 

Habibi looking longingly into the distant safari, wondering if he belongs with the camels. He suffered a slight identity crisis. 

Long overdue hoof cleaning at Tip and Toes. 

(I promise Habibi is solely for the kids.)

New Chapter of Learning

The summer months back home in Kingston, ON, Canada were filled with friends, family and work at a local restaurant in the downtown area. Although visiting family and enjoying the relaxation of Canada (and cooler weather) is refreshing, I was anxious to arrive back to Dubai to begin planning with the self-proclaimed KG Dream Team, made up of three lovely ladies originating from the Toronto area.

The weeks leading up to the start of school were jam packed with Professional Development and classroom organization, not to mention settling into our newly rented villa (we live a tough life). My classroom is half the size of what I had last year, but fits our students perfectly. It's cozy and inviting with an abundant amount of natural light.

Our class is made up of 18 wonderful students, each of whom bring life and vibrant personality to the class. Our first month of school was dominated by the OICS Boot Camp where students learn the classroom expectations and curriculum is not a focus. The several weeks always prove to be challenging as the school itself is still new and we are learning how to function under KHDA (the body which governs Dubai education).

So far the year has been consumed with effective team co-planning, imagination and a yearning to better develop the FDK program.