Update from Mr. E in Performing Arts

Dear parents,

In Performing Arts we have been learning songs and games from around the world. Our class puppet and friend Babushka has been travelling to many different countries and regularly sends us photos of places he visits. The photos are a starting point to discuss what the place looks like, where in the map is it, the language that is spoken there… From there, we learn a song, a dance or a singing game from that country and we explore singing and movement skills.

The purpose of this unit is to promote international mindedness and raise awareness of different languages and cultures through music and movement.

You can find here some of the songs we have been playing, although we don’t use the youtube versions in the class:

Paki paki - New Zealand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkNJlR8kdVc

Rere Atu - New Zealand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDzN18PZQB4

Okki Tokki Unga - Greenland http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rG86WwJzC8

Obwisana - Ghana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEY0-So31Q0

Folk Dance - China http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNsKRmTEHyE

Tumbalalaika - Russia (couldn’t find a similar version on youtube)

She sells seashells by the sea side (couldn’t find a similar version on youtube)

Trip to FedEx

Today we went to FedEx! The children learned about a valuable service in our community. The employees at FedEx explained to us the system of sending a letter, package or postcard through FedEx.  We talked about addresses, and shapes of the boxes.  We also got to see behind the scenes of the post office- where the mail goes, and where the large packages are sorted.  The children had to find the different numbers the employees asked them to find.  It was a great number recognition game!
We were spoiled with treats at the end!
The next time you go to check your mail, bring your child with you.  Tell them the number of your box and see if they can find it!

Swimming Newsletter

Swimming and Water Safety News

Dear Parents,

Beginning on November 30th students from the ECC harbor (K2) will be participating in swimming lessons as part of the Physical Education program offered at our school pool. These lessons will take place during the students’ two regular PE classes each week for three weeks in total.

Students will be working in the water in small groups of 5-6 students per certified swim instructor.  Each group will be with the same instructor throughout the unit (they are placed in leveled groups based on skill progression.) Instructional time is organized so that each child can progress at his or her own pace and skill level.  The program is a progressive sequence of skills based on the American Red Crescent Aquatic Program.  This program focuses on stroke technique in addition to teaching children to be safe around water.  Once the lesson is over, the students will change back into their school clothes in the locker room, and again be back to the classes in ECC 2 building.

Please send the following in a swim bag or a plastic bag: bathing suit, towel, goggles, and comb/brush.  Flip-flops are okay to wear on the pool deck, but often get lost; bare feet are fine.  Please label everything.   

Swimming Caps are required for longhaired swimmers.

Goggles are best if they have a silicone rim around the eyes.  Caps, goggles and suits are available at the pool office for sale or may be purchased at any sport/ swim shop in Jeddah.

All other equipment will be provided. Students who have swimming in the first block at 8:15am please wear their swimming suits under their clothes and remember to send their underclothes.

Please note that if your child has diarrhea, a fever or yellow/green discharge from the nose, they should not be at school and should not swim.

Erwin Agustina

PE & Swim Teacher

erwin.augustina@kaust.edu.sa

www.kaustschools.org

Our airport and toy store in action!

We have been enjoying our inquiry into our community as well as the two places we decided we would like to have in our community- an airport and a toy store.  The finishing touches are complete and the children are loving using their imaginations to role play the different experiences.  

Amaya is looking at a broken toy.  She has identified the areas she needs to fix!

There were some busy children in the toy store, examining toys, sorting toys and playing with them too. 

The check in process has started!  

These girls are getting their luggage and babies ready to get on the plane. 

Its a full flight. Azka, Hajar, Saleh and Hasnain decided they were flying to Alaska.

Iman is trying to check in. 

Sean and Amaya are taking inventory of the toys in the store.

Iman and Ahmad are discussing the flights for the day. 

Hamudi is in a rush- he is trying to get on the next flight to Turkey. 

Roaa and Retal are busy doing some last minute shopping to take on their trip.  

Saleh gets behind the counter, and Hamudi is trying to check in his bags!

It has been so fun watching these children play!

Open House!

Today our room was filled with parents and children. What a wonderful vibe in our classroom.  A BIG thank you to all the parents who attended today.  It meant so much to your children to share their learning with you.  They have been so happy and excited since the morning.  

Sean enjoyed going on a airplane ride with his dad!

Sofia was sharing the toy store with her dad.

Amaya enjoyed sharing her portfolio with her mom.

Thanks again!

Trip to Kanoo Travel

To further our inquiry into how systems work when going on an airplane, we visited Kanoo travel.  The children were able to express where their home country was, and where they wanted to go on vacation.

The travel agent asked us what we have to do to go on a trip.  Amaya said "go to the airport!"  He then asked what we had to do before we went to the airport- book a ticket!

We went behind the scenes and looked up a flight to go to Canada for the winter break.  We found out that for the dates we picked we would have to first fly to Frankfurt, then London, then to Ottawa.  It would cost 9972SAR for one person! The travel agent told us it is best to book your flights in advance.

We also talked about what we do when we go on vacation- we fly, but then where to do we stay?  The travel agent showed us how to book a hotel with Kanoo travel!

Trip to the Fire Station

As we continue to explore the different features of our community, we went to the fire station! This is a favorite trip with children, and they LOVED it today.  Deputy Fire Chief Jamey Piper gave us an informative tour of the station, different equipment they use, a fire truck, their protective clothing, and we even got to spray the fire hose!

We learned so many valuable things including that a fire doubles every 30 seconds, that when we call 911 they get transferred to the fire station and that the fire fighters work 12hour shifts.

Here are some of our favorite moments from this trip!

This is where the fire fighters work out.  They have to exercise at least one hour per day.

We also learned that the fire fighters still go to school daily. This is their classroom. 

The fire fighters have to be able to put their protective clothing on quickly, so their boots are already tucked into their pants. 

We all got to try on the coats!  They were big and heavy!

We all got to sit inside the fire truck!

Fire fighters use different tools to break into places that are on fire.  

We watched a fire fighter get dressed in his protective gear.  We all gave him high fives because we know that even though he looks strange, he isn't scary. 

Then we each got a turn at spraying the fire hose!!!!

We were so excited to go on this trip!  We are very fortunate to have our own fire station in our community!