Dubai school teaches Sheikh Mohammed's 'My Story'

It is important to teach children about the history of the place they are living in so that they learn to respect as well as appreciate its culture and development.
This is exactly why a Dubai school has integrated My Story, a book penned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in the curriculum for their Grades 6 and 7 students. Amity School Dubai is the first UAE school (with CBSE curriculum) to have done so with the aim 'to connect the youngsters with the land they call home and the leader who has seen the history of the land,' said Sangita Chima, principal of Amity School Dubai.
Chima integrated the book within the curriculum after she read through it herself during the Eid Al Fitr holidays. "We were looking to introduce a literature text in our language curriculum as literature holds a prominent role in children's personal development within a cultural context.
"We wanted to give our students a combination of literature and language together. So when I read My Story, I found it an easy read and it was so interesting that it was hard for me to keep it down.
After discussing with her school staff, Chima decided to introduce the inspiring book to the students and it instantly was a big hit. "Students look forward to attending this weekly 55 minute class now, she added.
Published last year, My Story is a collection of anecdotes, experiences and philosophies that shaped Sheikh Mohammed's vision that is behind Dubai's meteoric growth from a small and bustling trading port to an international metropolis. It has 50 stories (chapters) narrated by Sheikh Mohammed.
Talking about how the children will be evaluated on the book, Chima said: "The children will not be burdened with exams for this book, but there will be a skill-based formative assessment where we will evaluate them based on their life skills such as speaking, writing, reading, vocabulary, creative thinking and interpretation skills."
English teacher Mridula Pande, who teaches the book to Grade 6 students at the school, said that she starts the class by silent reading of the book, where each student reads a page or two of the book. "I then ask them what they understand by the quotes mentioned in the chapters and keep building up on that. I also ask them to compare the lifestyle of earlier times to now for example how people of earlier times in the UAE managed to keep their houses cool even during summers, what was their mode of transport etc."
The class also enhances vocabulary as the students note down the new words, including some cultural words such as wudu (ablution), which gives them an understanding of the country's tradition.
The children then break into groups and discuss different aspects of the chapter which they then present to the entire class.
"Children feel more connected to such real stories than with other literature of the past. For example, the book talks about the place where Sheikh Mohammed was born here in Dubai, so the children are eager to know more about it and have also planned a visit to the site which is now converted into a museum.
"History usually becomes a bit boring for young children as they are unable to find a connection but as they are reading My Story, they can connect to it and see and relate to thbe places mentioned in the book," Pande said.
She added that the enthusiasm and excitement of her students for this class is incredible. "I have not seen children so excited about any class as much as they are about the weekly 'My Story' class - which is conducted in the spacious school library for 55 minutes, she added.
The school has bought a number of copies of My Story that it has kept in the library so that the children do not have to buy it for themselves. During the literature period - once a week - the students are given the book, which they return when the class gets over. During the class they take down notes, on which they further research and discuss in the next class.
Grade 6 student Zayna Khan said she is fascinated by the fact that the historian in the book is the Ruler of her country. "There is a difference between writing the history of a place after doing research on it and writing history after seeing it unfold. I am so excited to read and learn about Dubai from our very ruler Shaikh Mohammed himself as he has seen this country grow from what it was to what it is now."
Another student said the book was very inspiring as he understand how many challenges our Ruler faced and how his drive, determination and will to succeed made him legendary.
"The life of Sheikh Mohammed will influence young Amitians forever. They will have great joy in understanding the arduous journey that he undertook to give their nation worldwide recognition. Amitians will learn the history of this land through the words of a great ruler and leader, " concluded Chima.

- saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai