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Adec introduces English, Science programmes

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) has introduced English reading and Science programmes to over 55,000 public school students in an effort to develop their English-language proficiency and interactive and practical skills.

The ‘New English Reading Scheme — Reading Time’ and the ‘New Science Scheme — Science Around You’ were given to Kindergarten to Grade 5 students. Adec has also partnered with Harper Collins Publishers, one of the world’s leading English-language publishers, in conducting 13 days of training to faculty heads and teachers on both schemes.

Training is also scheduled for parents within the first term of this academic year.

“Reading Time is developed to support students’ reading proficiency and allows teachers to differentiate their student’s academic needs, while Science Around You has been developed to support the content and approaches specified within the new school model (NSM) outcomes for KG and Cycle 1,” said Dr. Karima Al Mazroui, P-12 curriculum manager at Adec.

“This entirely new approach will encourage students to use their critical thinking skills while engaging and participating in different activities that are not only informative and meaningful but fun-loving and interesting,” she added.

Reading Time consists of a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts designed to engage students. These are accompanied by workbooks allowing them to practice new vocabulary and language structure.

Science Around You, meanwhile, has two main components for each grade — a student’s book and a teacher’s guide. Additional components include practical and home activity books for students and a CD-ROM containing slideshows, video clips, photographs, interactive activities and printable photocopy masters for use within the classroom, and assessment materials.

At the science scheme, students get to conduct investigations that are practical and include observing, questioning, making and testing predictions, using equipment independently, collecting and recording results, analysing data and information, and drawing conclusions.

Throughout the scheme, there is a wide variety of learning experiences for the students to enjoy. Much of the student’s work is conducted as paired work or in small groups, in line with international best practices. Activities are designed to be engaging for students and to support teachers in their assessment of student progress and achievement.

“The scheme looks at international and national science topics. Lessons are linked to the UAE context to make learning contextual for the students,” concluded Dr. Karima. -news@khaleejtimes.com