Good afternoon families of KG1 students,
This week we welcomed another new student and his family to our KG1 class. I know you will join us in welcoming Estevão and his parents to the ABIS community.
Reminder -no school on Sunday. Please see the message below that you received on Tuesday from ABIS administration:
| Sunday 15 September has been declared a holiday by the Omani Government: The Sultanate of Oman has declared Sunday, September 15, as an official holiday for employees in both the public and private sectors in observance of the Prophet’s Birthday. In a statement, the Ministry of Labour said, “On the occasion of the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, peace and blessings be upon him, it has been decided that Sunday, the 11th of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1446 AH, corresponding to the 15th of September 2024, will be an official holiday for employees of the State’s Administrative Apparatus and other legal entities, as well as establishments in the private sector.” Please note that ABIS will be closed on this day, Sunday 15 September, for staff and students. School will resume on Monday 16 September. |
This week, we spent time practising an important fine motor skill -using and controlling scissors safely and effectively. Scissor skills help children build hand strength, coordination, hand-eye coordination and focus. We regularly give the children the opportunity to practise scissor skills in different ways. This week we provided small pieces of coloured paper, scissors and glue, and encouraged them to experiment with cutting and snipping as well as glueing (a chance to learn how to replace the lid on the glue stick so it does not dry out!). The children were excited to cut, create, and glue their own mini projects, while learning how to handle scissors responsibly and efficiently. We encourage you to support this skill at home by allowing your child to practise cutting paper, or even playdough, in a safe environment. You can see photographs of some of the children engaged in this learning engagement below.
We also spent time this week reflecting on how everyone in our class is already a reader. Together we shared a wordless book and we helped each other to use the illustrations to tell the story, predict what might happen next and consider what characters might be saying or thinking by looking at their facial expressions and body language. We encourage you to also recognise your child as a reader and to celebrate their growing reading skills. Holding the book right-side up, turning the pages in the correct direction, starting from the beginning and using the pictures are all signs that a child is a developing reader.
One final snapshot of learning this week; the children played a fun team game to help them develop an understanding of the importance and value of working and playing cooperatively. In pairs, they took turns moving water from one container to another using only a cup. One child would fill the cup from a full bucket, walk quickly to an empty bucket, and pour the water in. Then, they’d pass the cup to their partner to do the same. Two teams competed at a time, and the winning team was the one that moved all the water from one bucket to the other first. The game helped the children practise teamwork, turn-taking, and coordination.
We wish you a very enjoyable three-day weekend, however you spend it.
Kind regards,
Kristina, Buthaina and Rahma
