Volume 5

Mar - Apr 2013
VOL. 5
Al Ameen
in focus
d Ru
les!
…5
mic
sla
ah I
It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows
poems by heart.
Rainer Maria Rilke
AL AMEEN TIMES
Roa
j
har
S
o
3
tt
Visi eum...
s
Mu
SPRING! And something in the air makes us want to
fly! Something puts joy in our steps and a twinkle in
our eye.
WELCOME TO
OUR WORLD……
The students of Al Ameen welcomed March and April
like they welcomed spring – with open hearts… and
better, with open minds. Within these pages are just
short glimpses of all the activities they did during
these two months.
WE LIVE, WE
LEARN…….
It is not surprising that spring awakened the poet in
most of our children. Turn to page 19 and see what our
rhymesters have to offer. The artists were busy as well
– see the fruits of their creativity on pages 11, 12 & 13.
Our explorers found a new world in their backyard
(page 7) and our scientists – well, let’s just say they
had a touch of March Madness!
What a lot of things to look forward to! Let us not
keep you from the rest of this very exciting issue.
Enjoy!
Editorial Team
We would love your feedback. Email us at [email protected]
with your comments and suggestions.
The
Gre
Exp at TRA
erie
nce… WL
9
5
…1
?
N
PE
O
4
AP
…1
T
b
E
Clu
TH
k
T
o
LEF gs Bo
O
g
WH ing E
d
Rea
e
Th
Peer Teaching
To teach is to learn twice
"To teach is to learn twice" is an adage at
work in our school. The students of various
classes took on the mantle of teachers and
did a wonderful job of teaching and
clarifying concepts. In addition they had the
thrill of creating something new and gained
confidence speaking in front of their peers.
2
Remembrance of Things Past ...
Field Trip to Sharjah Museum of
Islamic Architecture
The students of AlAmeen Private School
visited the Sharjah
Museum of Islamic
Civilization on the 15th
and 16th of April accompanied by Mr.
Muffadal and Mrs.
Mariya.
The main objective of
the trip was to learn
about the contribution of Islam in the
fields of geometry, geography, architecture
and design, physics, astrology and other sciences.
The pupils witnessed the significance of the marvelous machines and instruments of the Islamic inventors. They learnt how the machines work and its short history. Moreover the
students observed many working models which showed them how life was, many years ago,
and how these inventions have advanced throughout the years.
Among the many displays were the rose water distillation machine, mill ship, the geometry
instruments, models of famous observatories such as one in Delhi, models of hospitals, astrolabes, water clock and a timeline presenting the spreading of Islam throughout the world
supported with a globe showing the world known by the Arabs in the olden ages.
This innovative museum made the students aware that many of the equipment and apparatuses that they use in their daily life today would not be there if not for these inventions.
Mankind owes a lot to Islam.
The students also visited the Islamic gallery where they saw many original hand written
manuscripts of al Quran al Kareem and the hand woven curtain of the Al Kabah including a
video of how it is made. Furthermore there was a display of coins from all around the world,
collected in the past ages.
3
Remembrance of Things Past…
(contd.)
Towards the end of the trip the students were given a worksheet which tested their improvement
in their knowledge about Islam and its contribution.
This cross curricular educational trip served its purpose very well; the students were able to gain
both facts about Islam’s contribution and practical scientific applications of these inventions
through the ages. Students benefited greatly from this trip and the knowledge gained will enhanced their learning of Islam.
Fatema Khumusi
Year 8
4
Playing by the Rules
It was the
perfect blend of
Literacy, Art &
Civic Sense—
with some peer
teaching thrown
in.
The students of
Year 3 wrote
instructions,
prepared props
and then taught
the children of
Year 1 about
traffic rules and
their
importance.
5
Caution! Mad Scientists at Work!
Year 5 investigated muffling of sounds
and explored how sound can be
controlled by using different materials
Year 8 investigated the way heat gets transferred
and reasons for expansion of different liquids and
gases.
Year 7 identified
the chemical
reactions taking
place in different
solids.
6
Harmony in Habitats
Our science enthusiasts of Year 4
visited and explored the habitats
around the school. They examined
different living organisms present,
which they had never noticed before.
This gave them an idea of the
symbiosis in their surroundings and
how many creatures peacefully coexist with them.
7
World of Maths
Cross curricular learning is a very
well known technique of studying at
Al Ameen. It enhances the students’
general knowledge as well as the
ability to connect two subjects.
The students of year 8 were given
the opportunity to work on an
activity that uses geography and
math, with the topic ‘map scales’.
The link between these two subjects
involved the pupils measuring the
distance between different cities on
the map and then converting them
into map scales.
My personal opinion on this activity
is that it was an enjoyable way of
locating new cities on the world
atlas while perfecting our scale
mapping skills.
Rukaiya Feroz
Year 8
8
The Great TRAWL Experience
A famous philosopher
once said ‚A pencil and a
piece of paper can change
the world.‛
And very true it is. These children have certainly changed
their world, by publishing
their own books.
The students of year 3 & 4
joined the initiative of TRAWL
Teaching Reading and Writing
Links. By using interactive
learning techniques (ably
coached by Ms. Fatema
Hatim), they were able to
achieve the thrill of writing
their very first book.
We interviewed two students
from grade 4 so that they
could share their opinions
about TRAWL.
Hussaina Shakir commented that TRAWL was a wonderful opportunity for her to enhance her writing
skills and the mere experience of writing a book by herself was fascinating. She enjoyed the TRAWL
thoroughly and would love to experience it again next year.
Shabbir Rasheed was one of the best-selling TRAWL authors this year. Commenting upon how
TRAWL helped him, he said, ‚We learned onomatopoeia, graphology and different similes. I enjoyed
this very much and nothing was boring.‛ When asked about whether this experience shaped his future
ambitions, he asserted that he would like to be an author when he grew up.
Insiya Gadiwala and Abbas Antelwala
Year 8
9
The Great TRAWL Experience
A few more authors
comment on the
TRAWL experience
10
ART—Heroes and Villains
These are our entries for
the EAFL Art
Competition.
The topic was Heroes
and Villains.
11
The Transforming Power of ART
Who said
saidbeauty
beautyhas
hastotobebesacrificed
sacrificed
at the
Who
at the
alter ofofutility?
alter
utility?
Our children
theirtheir
artistic
flair
Our
children demonstrated
demonstrated
artistic
during
the Environment
Week Week
when when
they
flair
during
the Environment
transformed
waste into
beautiful
you
they
transformed
waste
into things
beautiful
would like
use again
anduse
again.
things
you to
would
like to
again and again.
12
Kaleidoscope of Colour
If Art is a window to the
soul, it doesn’t hurt that the
window be painted with the
beautiful colors of life!
Students of Year 7
demonstrate their artistry
with Glass Painting. This also
reflects how bright and
colorful their life is.
13
The Reading Eggs Book Club
The joy in reading a good book can be doubled
if it is shared.
The children of year 3 would agree with this.
Their book club convenes at the end of each
week and there is sharing galore!
Children sign up to read a book of their choice
and then review the book and recommend it
to their classmates, who also ask questions
about the book at the end of the three minute
book review.
14
Who Left the Tap Open?
An excerpt from
Burhanuddin Salim’s
(Year 9) speech for
the EEG competition.
Our school placed 4th
in the competition.
You can watch the
speech on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=xfMM7Xbf5hc
Wake up!!! Not literally but if you are sleeping please wake up. What I mean is, look, observe, notice
the water from the tap is slowing down every minute tip…tap…tip…tap not because somebody is
closing it but because there is nothing left to give out.
To start with some basic numbers our world aka Planet Earth is statistically 70% water out of which
97% or 97.5% to be more precise is salt water. That leaves us with around 3% of fresh water out of
which with regret I say 2 % is in glaciers so that is out of the list that leaves us with what 1%? Yeah we
now have a planet with around 7 billion homo sapiens is dependent on existing as only 1%.
َ ‫ي ٍء‬
َ ‫ل‬
َ ‫ن ا ْل‬
َ ‫ج َع ْل َنا ِم‬
َ ‫َو‬
ْ ‫ش‬
َّ ‫ما ِء ُك‬
ّ ‫ح‬
ٍ‫ي‬
A verse from the Quran stating the every living thing is made of water. So just imagine the power of a
substance from which every living thing that ever existed or to exist was created. Is it not in human
nature to equip himself with all power he ever could? Yet he lets himself lose this power with ease.
15
Who Left the Tap Open?
The Middle East, former desert, is high on water scarcity and wastage here is unacceptable. Millions
go into desalination and other methods of water purification so technically the one dirham bottle that
you purchase is apparently worth millions. I wouldn’t say it is awkward to treasure every moment with
this bottle of yours. In fact go ahead! Hug your bottles right now if you will.
To answer the question around which this event revolves. Frankly who left the tap open? You! You you
and you collectively it is ‘us’. We failed to apply a simple twist, we failed to stop the tip tap and now
we are crying about it.
Closing one tap can partially pay the debt of our obligation to nature - not fully but partially, because
something is better than nothing.
16
Writing in Arabic
Poems
written by
Year 7
students,
listing their
hobbies
Year 9 sheds light
on Muslim
Scientists.
17
Writing in Arabic
Students of Year 7
demonstrate their writing
skills in Arabic with a
shared writing task, where
they collaborated to create
a text on Means of
Transport.
18
Poetic Posy
"Spring would not be spring without bird songs."
- Francis M. Chapman
Thin Poem
Spider
Is a
Hider
Catches
fly
To make
it
Die
Mouth
wide,
Fly
slide
Die
inside
Goodbye
fly.
Batul Saifee 4B
They say spring is the season for poets. March and April
had the inspired young poets at Al Ameen pick up their
quills and dash off some pretty ditties.
It is with great pleasure that we present to you this
spring-flower posy of their poems.
Things that make me happy
Pink and Purple bows,
Going to theatre and shows,
Makes me feel happy
Travelling the globe.
Wearing a white velvety robe
Makes me feel happy.
Swimming in the rain
Riding my bike down the lane
Makes me feel happy
Hussaina Shakir4B
19
List Poems
Magical World
Harry Potter
Singing trees
Golden Water
Magic keys
Stomping Stars
Red cheese
Mumbling Mars
A flying unicorn
Happily Ever After
A electronic corn
No crying
A magical sword
Only Laughter
A demon lord
Shabbir Rashid 4A
A Chocolate land
Slimy Sand
Spooky Aliens
Hopping Chameleons’
A huge Troll
A talking Ball
Grouchy Giants
Magical Science
Talkative robot
A Slapping Teapot
A Furious Dragon
A Screaming Wagon
Crazy Elves
Shaking Book Shelves
Oblivious Ogres
Voldemort’s Curse
A Wicked Wizard
Our Environment
School books, angry looks
Doll house, Toy cows
Pencil pouches, dusty couches
Smelly socks, empty box
Shattered glass, broken vase
Inkless pens, eggless hens
Stretched rope, torn caps of pop
Old mats, enjoying rats
Dead flowers, half towers
Pocket watches, even stuff like torches
Found in the rubbish pile.
Please Recycle
Do not let the world change to a dumpster
Please, Please!
Reduce , Reuse, Recycle
A Man Eating Lizard
Khadija Kinana BS 4B
20
Burj Khalifa
AN ODE
A tower reaching for the sky
The tallest in the world they say
Covering the skies like a mighty king
Majestic and gleaming – such a masterpiece.
Glimmers under the moonlight
Shining its way out
Grand and royal like mountains
Surrounded by dancing fountains
It’s the heart of the desert
Its virtues cannot be measured
It rests in the city of big dreams
Where different cultures unite as a team.
That’s the spirit of this place
THE BURJ is a diamond in Dubai’s showcase.
Zahra Shabbir Year 7 G
A SONNET
Never have I seen such a
lovely sight
Which covers earth like a
garment of good
And it could change a sulking
person’s mood
Its massive height makes it
glitter so bright
With a majestic shine of the
sun’s light
Like the tallest man ever
stood
Having a tip of pure steel,
not wood
Looking even more beautiful
at night
A voluminous tower kissing
the sky
With the stupendous lights
on it glittering
Lying in the richest place in
Dubai
To match its splendor builders are trying
But they won’t even succeed
if they try
For even the best builders
are crying.
Ilyas Juzer
Year 7 B
21
Paeans to Nature
BATTLE OF THE NIGHT
Last night there was a shiny glittering
war
The shiny bright moon v/s the dark
black clouds
The clouds hid the moon with a bang
so loud
The moon cried - they stopped its
light from afar.
The moon lost! So was it over, the
WAR?
Oh No! Why were the clouds so very
proud?
They showed off and released the
Thundercloud
MIRACLE GARDENS
I visited a garden so enchanting,
Covered in its green glittering garment.
I got captivated by His talent,
And colourful paths made my heart
sing.
Still so much is left a mystery,
It would take me far too long.
It’s a place where the clouds kiss the
sky,
If only I could write a song.
The angry thundercloud made the
moon fear
When the carpets of roses and lilies
move,
In anger, Moon showed his splendor to
all
my heart jumps with joy,
The light broke free and the clouds fled
away
And happiness not given to me by
any toy.
They rolled away like small black baby
balls
Does nature have anything more to
prove ?
Before his majesty, clouds ran away.
The carpets of roses whispers of passion ,
They ran like a bunch of dirty hairballs.
In his white glory, the moon rode
away.
Murtaza Jawadwala
And to me white roses are doves.
Juzer. Murtaza Year 7B
Year 7B
22
More poetry!
IF I HAD LOVE BIRDS
All about summer!!
(Free verse poem)
(Rhyming couplet)
On Sundays I would play games
They would tickle me on my feet
Summer is finally here
If I had love birds
On Mondays I would put them on
It’s time to jump and skip and cheer
My shoulder and play with them
Let us go out and enjoy the heat
Don’t slow down and pick up the beat
If I had love birds
On any day if they k.i.s.s
I would take a photo or a video of
that
We can play outside or splash in the
pool
It’s all up to us as, there’s no rules
Remember to always wear sunscreen
If I had love birds
On Tuesday I would clean them
The sun is super-hot, not like ice-cream
Or give them a bath
Let’s ride on the jet-skies and splash
around
If I had love birds
‚Brrm , Brrm‛ here it goes the sound
On Wednesday I would think their
Name
There are so many activities to do
Swimming, soccer, bicycling - you have
no clue
If I had love birds
On Thursday I would change their
So friends, younger or older
Name
It’s the season to get bolder
If I had love birds
Summer is finally here
On week end I would
Set them free
Batul Bagat
Hamza Mama
4A
5A
23
The Senses
The children of Year 3 joined forces and
created group poems where they wrote
about each of the five senses and what
they love and hate about it.
SIGHT
I love to see my brother sleeping
And I hate to see my brother leaping
I love to see my daddy
And I like to see my teddy
I love to see the sunny sun
And playing ball and having fun
And the sound of a jet flying in the sky with
fun
I hate my dad snoring
And the sound of screeching is very
annoying.
SMELL
I love the smell of air freshener in my class
I love the smell of mango juice in a glass
I like the smell of food which is cooking in
the kitchen
And hate the smell of garbage filled with
chicken
I love the smell of perfumes
TOUCH
And I am scared of fumes
I like the smoothness of my brother’s skin
But I hate the sharpness of a pin
TASTE
I love to feel cold snow
I like the taste of sweet honey
When the wind blows
Also the taste of chocolaty bunny
I love to feel soft clothes
I love the taste of lemonade sour and sweet
I love to feel the rough boat when it floats
Especially when I eat
I hate the hotness of lava
But I hate the taste of bitter juice
Coming from a TV when I watch a drama
And I love the taste of chocolate mousse
I love the taste of neck-paining candy
SOUND
‘Cause it can come in handy.
I like the sound of an airplane flying
I like the eagle in the sky crying
I love the sound when horses run
By: Taha, Sarrah Kapadia, Sakina Juzar,
Khadija Tarwala and Sarrah Taher Ali
3A
24
After School Activities—Focus on Karate
We have Karate every
Wednesday. There are 12
sessions. Our Sensei’s
name is Mohammed Iqbal.
He is a karate black belt.
The children who started
this year they are on white
belt which is the starting
belt. There is one senior
who is on the green belt
which is the third belt.
There is one more senior
which is on the blue belt
the belt.
The white belts are
learning fuci kada itch. In
karate now we are
learning the following:
Upper punch, middle
punch and lower punch.
Knife hand strike and
kicks.
Side kick, rondos kick and
front kicks.
We really enjoy Karate as
an extra
curricular
activity in our school.
Kasim Aliasgar 4B
25