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Generation’s School
Ab u Hurairah ( R. A.) narrated: The Prophet (PBUH) said “A Momin is an embodiment of love and affection, and there is no good in one who neither loves nor is loved”.
HOUSE PREFECTS Maria Azhar Iqbal House
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Yumna Fatima II-V Jinnah House Humza Atif Syed House
R E T R A T S
...a happy place to learn
DECEMBER 23, 2010 MOHARRAM 16, 1432
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Inside this issue: Iqra
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Orientation Meetings
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Children of the 21st Century
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Iqbal Week
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Buddy Programme
Dear Parents & Children, Assalamu alaikum
It’s already December! The first term has found the children growing steadily, adapting smoothly to the routines at school, making new friends, and learning about the world around them. Here are some highlights of what we did this term.
Iqra
Orientation Meetings
Alhamdulillah Iqra Reading Programme for Start ers w as launched on October 1, 2010. This year's theme 'Book Now' and the mascot Winnie the Pooh, were an instant hit with the young students. The highlights of Iqra week were as follows. A Book a Week Rhyme and Poetry days (for Pre-primary) and Poets Platform (for Classes I & II) No Screen Hours at home
The orientation meetings at the beginning of this term were a great opportunity for us to discuss the curriculum and meet many of the parents. After introduction of staff, the parents were taken through class working for all the subjects. For Pre primary classes the reading workshops were conducted along with the orientation meetings to emphasize the importance of reading to children at an early age .Finally, the parents went around and saw their children working in the classrooms.
Storytelling sessions by parents and teachers
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Literature Day.
Greeting Time
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Race Day
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A special thanks to the Middler’s st ud en t s f or t heir engaging storytelling sessions for the little ones.
Handwriting Competition
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Iqbal Week
What’s happening in class?
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Field Trips
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House Meetings
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Flood Relief Fund
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Professional Development
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Visit to Oxford
In remembrance of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Starters (Classes I & II) celebrated Iqbal Week in November. ‘Bachay Ki Dua’ was recited in the assembly. Iqbal’s life, and his remarkable poetry were discussed and appreciated in the classrooms, followed by related homework.
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Winners of Handwriting Competition
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Children of the 21st century
Our children are fast learning the skill of multitasking by using technology in various forms; many a times leaving grownups far behind; the adult being an ‘immigrant’ and the child a ‘native’ to technology. It is important for both teachers and parents to update their knowledge about the use of technology in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Buddy Programmes The basic purpose of the Buddy Programme is to provide a platform to students where they can mingle with children from other classes, and nurture their social skills. In their first meeting, the children greeted each other, introduced themselves and did colourful activities together. The Pre-nurseries coloured paper tulips together and exchanged their work with their buddies. The Nurseries and Kindergartens drew their buddy’s face on cutouts of buddy figures. Classes I and II paired up as buddies. They interviewed each other and proudly took this information home on teddy bear cutouts.
Race Day Race day was a gala event for Class I. After reading the lesson ‘Race Day’, teachers and children arranged for a cycling race as an extended activity of the lesson. It was thrilling to watch them balance their bikes and make it to the finish line. Jazakallah to parents for sending the bikes and making the race possible.
Greeting Time Once in class, the Starters begin their day with ‘Greeting Time’. This brief close interaction between students and teacher is used constructively to build rapport and strengthen bonds. Apart from the usual greetings, teachers share a story, sing songs, talk about special occasions or events and share interesting news with the students. This time is also taken up for problem solving where children think critically and generate solutions to their daily problems. The ‘Greeting Time’ is quite a healthy, effective and enjoyable start to the day for both, children and teachers! John F. Kennedy once said, "Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future."
What’s happening in class?
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Students of Pre-nurseries made their very own ‘block paths’. Some made tall structures with the help of their friends and walked merrily through the ‘construction’ together. Future architects at work! Different colours were introduced in Nurseries, and students got hands-on experience with specific colours through a variety of mediums like collage, play dough, paints, crayons, colour pencils etc. Masha’allah what creativity – way to go Nurseries! In connection with the theme ‘Professions’, Kindergartens, called a ‘green grocer’ to school. The children enjoyed observing many different vegetables, and experienced the process of weighing and buying vegetables. The carrots and cucumbers bought were then used to prepare a healthy salad, which they enthusiastically ate with their snack. Class I learnt that pushing and pulling can make things move. Through many experiments the children discovered that slopes, water and air can also make things go! Now they are on their way to learn how machines make jobs easier. Class II students proudly presented their ‘family trees’ in class. They joyfully observed their pictures and carefully compared themselves with their parents, grandparents and siblings.
Field Trips
House Meetings
Due to uncertain conditions in the city,all field trips had to be cancelled. However, the Pre-primaries were not too disappointed as they enjoyed planned outdoor picnics.
Built around the theme of the school, ‘To Love is to Respect’, the house meetings provide a structured forum for the children’s social and emotional development. These Pre-nurseries and Kindergarteners had meetings take place once in a a great time visiting Dr. Ghazala’s fortnight where children sit in their garden, where they were greeted by respective ‘houses’, and the House Barakah, the buffalo, and her calf. Mothers discuss the important values The gardener showed the children for life through discussions, stories, around, and talked to them about songs and role plays. The learning is the seasonal vegetables and fruits shared with parents through House growing in the garden. Later the chil- Homework. The effort put in by many dren shared snacks with their friends parents to submit the homework is while enjoying the freshness of the highly appreciated. surroundings. Nurseries had breakfast outside in the garden area in school and later Flood Relief Fund played interactive games together. The Generations’ family feels strongly for the ‘flood victims’ and continue to contribute whole heartedly to the Professional Development cause. We invite you to take just a moment of your holiday in all the The summer month was extremely hustle and bustle to be kind to others busy for all of us at school. We began this season, and to share with those ambitious plans for professional who may be less fortunate. Somedevelopment focusing on ‘classroom times a simple act of kindness can management’, ‘communication skills’ change a life forever. and ‘active learning’. All this was well integrated with Dua-e-Ibrahim --- a dua from the Quran, which actually forms the basis of our vision and is crucial for the direction we keep.
Generation’s School Phone: 3672 0541 – 4 Fax: 3672 0550 Email: mail@generations.gs Web: www.generations.gs
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Handwriting Competition ‘Man’s beauty is in the beauty of his handwriting.’ This year the handwriting competition for Classes I and II, took place on November 05, 2010. Daily han dwri ti ng pr ac ti ce sessions were held in classes. Our task was clear: write fine letters and place them properly. The winners were awarded certificates of appreciation. Keep up the neat work! Winners of English Handwriting Competition 2010—2011 of Classes I & II. Eman Fatima I-G Khadija Asif I-S Mishal Atif I-E Ayesha Kashif Shamim I-V Hania Shafiq Maria Azhar Eeman Khalil Faraz Imran
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Winners of Urdu Handwriting Competition 2010—2011 of Classes I & II. Parmida Asif I-G Usaid Ahmed I-S Aliza Alvi I-E Syed Ahmed Yaseen I-V Khadija Nawab Rida Haq Maria Azhar Eman Khalil Syeda Maliha Tabidah Usmani
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Visit to Oxford Mrs. Noorani attended a seminar in Oxford, UK, in the first week of December on an invitation from Oxford University Press. Generation’s was one of two schools invited from Karachi, besides nine other schools from Lahore and Islamabad. The three day stay included visits to a village school, and a couple of colleges in Oxford. Insha’allah the learning experience will help enrich our curriculum and upgrade our teaching methods.
We would like to thank you for your ongoing support and involvement. Let's continue to nurture and motivate our children to love, respect, learn and explore, the innumerous Please visit the school website bounties of Allah. Have a happy and safe holiday! regularly for updates, announcements, events and photographs.
Mrs. G. Sajjad
Mrs. K. Noorani
Academic Coordinator Starter Section
Vice Principal Starter & Junior
The newsletter is made by the contributions of the Starter team.
The colour of the newsletter depicts the winning house of the Starter Section for Term I.