Learning

All GEMS schools have learning principles based on the four core values of World Citizenship, Universal Values, Leadership Skills and Forward Thinking.

GEMS World Academy - Abu Dhabi, follows these values and is at the forefront of learning and ICT education, while providing our children with every opportunity to succeed in the future.

A Unique Educational Approach

Our approach is guided by respect for children's individual differences, by recognizing their inherent capacity for growth, and by a commitment to plan activities and environments, which shape learning and provide opportunities for student success. We provide a wide range of learning opportunities for our students and encourage them to be active participants in their educational plan.

Students have the opportunity to excel as individuals and work as members of a team. In their studies and daily lives, our students are encouraged to explore their interests and strengths and to develop their own distinct, individual personalities.

We challenge our students and inspire them to expand their way of thinking. As our students begin to truly believe in themselves and their abilities, they develop the skills to succeed in school and life.

IT at GWA

Technology is integrated in each of our classrooms; every effort is made to infuse technology into all that we do. Technology Integration is important at GWA as a means to support our core curriculum program. Every instructional classroom is outfitted with an interactive Promethean Board, a ceiling-mounted projector and a teacher laptop station.

Ongoing professional development supports the use of all equipment by teachers and staff in order to promote student learning. Beginning in Kindergarten, students create and communicate their ideas, analyze information in different formats, and display ethical and responsible use of technology.

Each classroom has an in-class or adjacent mini-lab that allows teachers to differentiate learning for their students. As technology continues to advance and accelerate, computer literacy becomes an even more importantant skill. All of our computers are supported by a state-of-the art local area network (LAN) with a secure, wireless network in development to parallel our existing services.

Library Center

Literacy is one of the most important focuses at GWA. The enjoyment of reading and learning is fostered throughout the program and the library is a focal point for its development. The library selects and maintains appropriate material for research projects and a wide selection of leisure books for all reading levels.

The library also offers computers with Internet access for teacher and student use. Students are instructed in the necessary skills to locate information in a library and to utilize reference materials.

Parents are encouraged to use the library with their children to expand the interest in reading beyond the school day by taking books home on a regular basis.

Specialist Classes:

Our specialist classes are an important part of developing the whole child at GWA. Physical Education, Art, Music, Arabic and Library are integral to our enriched American curriculum and complement the core classroom areas. IT integration and Library information can be found in their own sections of this website. Here we have highlighted our other important specialist areas.

Physical Education and Health - emphasizes both physical and social development. Physical education is a continuous process to motivate each student to make wise choices. Students will demonstrate an understanding of sportsmanship, cooperation, respect for and acceptance of self and others, self-discipline and confidence. Concepts of safety, knowledge of rules and game strategies and the promotion of a lifelong physical fitness program are emphasized.

Arabic Studies - Students learn basic conversational patterns in Arabic that can be applied in everyday situations. Students also learn about the culture and customs of our host country by experiencing music, food, games, art and literature. We offer Arabic language classes for native speakers and for non-native speakers.

Islamic Education is taught to all Muslim students (KG2-4 and up) in accordance with Ministry of Education standards and guidelines. Classes are taught in Arabic for native speakers and in English for non-native speakers.

Music - music plays a major role in society as a means of self-expression and cultural enrichment. Knowing and practicing the art of music is vital to the lifelong development of a child's mind and spirit. The music program includes creating music through rhythm, listening to and analyzing music, understanding music in relation to history and culture and the participation in performances in band or choir.

Art - All students in KG2-4 and upwards receive regular instruction in art. Students learn by creating art, responding to and making judgments about art, acquiring historical and cultural knowledge about artists and their works and understanding how people justify judgments about art objects.

English Language Learners (ELL) - the language of instruction is English and a minimum level of English proficiency is required for enrollment after KG2. Beginning in Grade 1, mandatory supplementary ELL instruction is provided for a fee for students requiring assistance with the English language. A limit is placed on the number of ELL students per classroom in order to maintain the level of academic rigor for those with English proficiency.