Who lives in the U.A.E.?

The Facts:

Only 1/5 of the people living in the United Arab Emirates are native born citizens.

Many of the other residents have come to this country looking for a work. These workers sometimes move to the country alone and send money home to their families, but others will bring their families with them. 

People from south and southeast Asia are one of the largest groups of immigrants.

Arabic people from other countries, such as Iran, are another large group of immigrant workers.

Immigrants come from other countries, as well. I moved from America to teach students English, math, and science. Many other teachers have also been brought to Abu Dhabi, an emirate of the U.A.E., as part of their focus on education. All of those teachers have spoken English since they were children. Some of the countries they came from include America, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada. 

Questions to Consider:

What fraction of people are not native born citizens of the U.A.E.?

How many fifths make one whole?

From what countries are the immigrants you see in Georgia?

From what countries are the immigrants who live in other parts of America?

Why do people immigrate to America?

Why would a person need to move to another country to find a job?

If you could move to any country in the world, what country would it be? Why?

Learn an Arabic Word:

Three -- Thalatha -- ثري

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

What animals are found in Abu Dhabi?

The Facts:

A variety of animals are found in Abu Dhabi. Camels, goats, and sheep are found on many farms. 

Camel 

Goat

Sheep

Some of the wild animals living in the desert in Abu Dhabi are the red fox, sand cat, and oryx. 

Red Fox

Sand Cat

Oryx

Questions to Consider:

Can you think of other animals that live in the desert?

What animals are raised in farms in Georgia?

What is the state bird of Georgia?

Which animal from Abu Dhabi would you like to see? Why?

How does the hot dry weather of Abu Dhabi impact animal life?

Learn an Arabic Word:

Two -- Ith'nan -- توه

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

When the rain finally comes....

The Facts:

Exactly three months after I arrived in Abu Dhabi, it has rained for the first time. The rain changed the look of the island. Since rain only falls here a few days a year, the roads do not have drains to remove the standing water. Cars had to slow down when passing through deep water to avoid an accident. All the plants that usually have a yellow dusty appearance are now shiny and green. Many of the local men could be seen sitting outside enjoying the slight drop in temperature. With school out for a holiday, the children had time to play around the water and examine its effect on their environment. The breeze feels a little cooler, and even though it is still 80 degrees outside, it finally feels like fall is here. 

Questions to Consider:

What is your favorite season?

What changes in the weather signal the beginning of fall?

What changes in your environment occur in fall?

Draw a fall day.

In Georgia, which season sometimes has snow? Which one has afternoon thunderstorms? Which one has frequent showers? 

What do you like to do when you have a holiday from school?

Learn an Arabic Word:

Two -- Ith'nan -- توه

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

What plants are found in Abu Dhabi?

The Facts:

Few plants grow in Abu Dhabi because of the desert climate that is hot and dry. Small shrubs and palm trees are seen in areas with natural water sources, such as springs or by the ocean.

The government of Abu Dhabi has planted many different types of plant life here to beautify the surroundings, provide shade for people, and homes for different types of animals. Mangroves are one of the trees planted to provide animal habitats.

Questions to Consider:

What is a habitat?

What plants can you find in your neighborhood?

Draw a palm tree.

Would you like to see a palm tree in the desert or on the beach? Why?

Why would few plants grow in a hot and dry climate?

How does plant life affect animal life?

What animals do you see living in trees and bushes at your school and neighborhood?

Learn an Arabic Word:

Two -- Ith'nan -- توه

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

What are the physical features of Abu Dhabi?

The Facts:

Abu Dhabi is mostly desert. It has some of the largest sand dunes in the world. 

The desert sand is broken by the fertile oases where plants flourish and fresh water flows.

The Hajar Mountains form part of the eastern border between Abu Dhabi and Oman.  

Abu Dhabi also has a beautiful coast line on the Persian Gulf. Due to the Persian Gulf war, the people of Abu Dhabi prefer to call it the Arabian Gulf.

 

Questions to Consider:

What plants and animals live in each of these different habitats?

Which area of Abu Dhabi would you like to visit? Why?

What are the physical features of the U.S.?

How are the physical features of Abu Dhabi and the U.S. similar and different?

Which physical feature of the U.S. would you like to visit? Why?

Create a topographical map.

Learn an Arabic Word:

One -- Wha'had -- أن

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

All About the U.A.E. Flag

The Facts:

The flag has four colors: red, black, white, and green. Each color is a rectangular block. Together the colors make an "E" shape. The red stripe is vertical. Green is the top horizontal stripe. White is in the middle, and black is on bottom. The colors were chosen to represent the uniting of seven Arab Emirates. Each color has a special meaning to Arabic people. Green represents fertility. White represents peace. Black represents the oil that supports the country's economy. Red represents previous flags of the Muslim people. Just like in the United States, the flag is very important to the people here and represents their pride in their country. 

Questions to Consider:

What values are shown in the ideas that the colors of the U.A.E. flag represent?

Can you find the "E" in the U.A.E. flag?

What are the colors on the U.S. flag?

Do the colors mean anything special?

Draw the U.S. flag.

Make a flag for your class. Include a legend explaining what each color means to you.

Define the words "vertical" and "horizontal."

Learn an Arabic Word:

One -- Wha'had -- أن

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

What is School Like in Abu Dhabi?

The Facts:

Each school in Abu Dhabi is a little different, just like any other school in the world, so I will tell you about my school on Delma Island.

Sunday morning, the first day of school for the week, the students begin arriving at school by car and bus at 7:10. The students attend school from Sunday to Thursday and are off on Friday and Saturday. When they arrive, they put their bookbags in their classroom closet and go to the playground inside of the school. It is too hot here to play outside. The students play until 7:30. At 7:30, we have the morning assembly. The students line up in front of their teacher, one line for boys and one line for girls. The boys wear blue uniforms and the girls wear pink, both have long pants and sleeves. The sports teacher leads the students in a few exercises then calls up three students to lead the school in the pledge to the U.A.E. flag. After the pledge, one teacher leads the school through a type of prayer. The national religion is important to the people of Abu Dhabi and is included in school activities. At 7:45, they walk in a line to class. The first activity in the classroom is the collecting of breakfast money and taking attendance. The order of the classes changes daily, but each day the students are taught English, Math, Science, Arabic, and Islamic Studies. They also go to one special class each day: music, art, sports, computers, or library. They have 30 minutes for breakfast at 9:30, and they have 15 minutes for recess at 10:45. Their day ends at 12:30.

Questions to Consider:

What days do you go to school?

What days are the weekend?

What do you wear to school?

What classes do you have at school? Which one is your favorite?

How long are you at school everyday?

Draw a picture schedule of your school day. 

How is your school alike and different from my school?

Learn an Arabic Word:

One -- Wha'had -- أن

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

What Sports Are Popular in Abu Dhabi?

The Facts:

The national sport of Abu Dhabi is football! However, it is not the sport we think of as football in America. Here, as in many other countries, football is soccer. Rugby and cricket, which originated from England, are also popular here. Camel racing is a part of the national history of Abu Dhabi. Camels are very important animals in the UAE. They are worth a lot of money and every year festivals are held to celebrate them. Water sports have been practiced in Abu Dhabi for many years. Even though much of the land is desert, Abu Dhabi has a long coast line and many islands. People enjoy boating, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and jet skiing in the clear ocean water. Golf has gained much popularity in Abu Dhabi. On some courses, instead of the area of grass known as a "green," they have an area of sand called a "brown." In Abu Dhabi, Formula One car races are becoming more popular; however rally racing in cars across the dangerous desert sands has been done for many years. These are just a few of the most popular sporting activities in Abu Dhabi.

This link will take you to a short video about a desert racing event: http://youtu.be/63RVtUFyQck

Questions to Consider:

What is your favorite sport?

Find another country in which soccer is called football.

Find England on a world map or globe.

What animal (bird) is the national symbol of America?

Would snow boarding be a popular sport in Abu Dhabi? Why or Why not?

What kind of animal would you like to see race? What animal would be the fastest or slowest?

Learn an Arabic Word:

No -- La -- ن

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

What is Fall like is Abu Dhabi?

The Facts:

On September 29th, fall will begin in Abu Dhabi. In the fall, the days become shorter. With less sun to heat the environment the temperature begins to drop. The average high temperature in Abu Dhabi will drop to 98 degrees. (In the summer the temperature could get as high as 122 degrees!) The humidity (the moisture in the air) will also decrease, making it seem much cooler outside. The changing of the temperature and of the moisture in the air makes October the foggiest month of the year. Finally, in November the chance of rain increases. I have been in Abu Dhabi 52 days, and it has not rained one time! 

Questions to Consider:

What is fall like in your town? Describe the weather and the changes in the environment.

When does fall begin in Georgia?

How is fall in Georgia different than fall in Abu Dhabi?

What causes fog?

What kind of environment has very little rain and is very hot?

Learn an Arab Word:

No -- La -- ن

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

What Do Men Wear in Abu Dhabi?

The Facts:

Men in Abu Dhabi dress in many different ways. Many men wear pants and a a shirt. Their pants may be jeans, slacks, or part of a uniform. They wear the same types of shirts men in Georgia wear. Some Emirati men choose to wear the traditional clothes that signify their culture.

The traditional outfit for an Emirati man is a kandura and a guthra. The kandura is a long robe that is usually white, though can be any color. The guthra is the headscarf. It is usually solid white or with white and red checks. The guthra was originally worn to protect the men from the harsh desert climate. The egal is the black rope that holds the guthra in place. Many years ago this was a convenient way to carry a rope with which to tie your camel. In their traditional dress, men appear just as modest as women by being covered down to their wrists and ankles.

Questions to Consider:

What clothes are popular for boys in your neighborhood and school?
Do you have to dress differently in some places than others? Explain.
Why would the desert climate affect what the men wore? 
In what type of climate do you live?
How is your climate similar to and/or different from a desert climate?
How does your climate affect the way you dress and the things you do?

If you are a boy, would you like to try to wear a kandura with a guthra?

Learn an Arab Word:

No -- La -- ن

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

What Do Women Wear in Abu Dhabi?

The Facts:

Women in Abu Dhabi dress in many different ways. Some wear dresses, jeans, and pants. If you were to go the Abu Dhabi Mall, you would see women dressed in the same way as the people do in Georgia. However, you would also see women who are dressed very differently. Many women wear the traditional abaya (long dress) and shayla (head wrap) of the Emirates. (Remember an Emirate is a state that is part of the United Arab Emirates.) The women wear the abaya and the shayla to be modest by not showing the shape of their bodies or their skin (except for the face and hands); by doing this, they show respect for themselves and everyone else. Women may also wear a nijab with their abaya. Young ladies will begin to wear the abaya in their teen years, as children they dress the same as children all over the world. The nijab covers the face, except the eyes. I have seen many women wearing black gloves when they wear the najib. Here is a picture of me wearing an abaya and shayla. 

The abayas I have seen are black with a variety of decorations. The shaylas are usually decorated to match the abaya or the lady may wrap her head in a scarf or pashmina. Here are some pictures of women wearing abayas.

Questions to Consider:

What clothes are popular for girls in your neighborhood and school?
What is your favorite thing to wear?
Do you wear anything that is particularly special to you? (lucky socks, team jacket, a gift from a friend, etc.)
Why do you think the women want to be modest?
How do you treat someone who looks different than you?
Is it okay to ask people about to tell you about their culture?
If you are a girl, would you like to try to wear an abaya with a shayla?
Who can design the best abaya in your class?

Learn an Arab Word:

Yes -- Na'am -- نام

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

School in Abu Dhabi

The Facts:

School in Abu Dhabi is a lot like school in the USA. School is five days a week. The students are expected to be polite and follow school and classroom rules like raising their hands to speak or walking in a line in the hallway. The students here like to play, talk to their friends, and use the computers. They love their family and friends and have favorite television shows. 

The school here is also different. They go to school on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The weekend is Friday and Saturday. Boys and girls go to school together in kindergarten, but have to go to separate schools for grades 1 through 12. All the kindergarten teachers here are women. The school year begins in September and ends in June. 

Questions to Consider:

What is your favorite subject in school?

What is your favorite television show?

What days of the week do you go to school?

What days are your weekend days?

Do you have boys and girls in your class? 

How would your school be different if it was a boys only or a girls only school?

Which months do you go to school?

Can you guess why the students here go to school on Sundays and are off on Fridays?

Why do you think school begins and ends later in the year than school in America?

Would you like to have a different schedule for school? If so, when would you go to school? Why?

Learn an Arab Word:

Yes -- Na'am -- نام

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi

The Language of Abu Dhabi

The Facts:

The official language of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE, is Arabic. Other languages spoken in Abu Dhabi are Urdu, Hindi, Somali, English, French, and Russian. So many people here speak English that almost all the business and road signs are in Arabic and English. I have been able to speak English to people in every store I have been to, so far. One reason English is so important here is that it is considered the language of money and science. One reason so many different languages are spoken here is because this country is very rich and growing rapidly. People from all over the world come here to work. Arabic language looks very different from because it is written the opposite direction on the page than English and their letters are different. 

Here are some English words and phrases written in Arabic with English pronunciation.

Hello                    Al-salam alaykum

Goodbye               Ma'a salama

Good morning        Sabah al-kheir

Good night            Tisbah ala-kheir

Questions to Consider:

What is the official language of the USA?

What other languages are spoken in America?

Why are some of these languages spoken in America?

Why would English be called the language of money and science?

What is another language you would like to learn to speak?

What facts can you learn about cultures of some of the people who speak other languages in America?

Learn an Arab Word:

Yes -- Na'am -- نام

Learn More About Abu Dhabi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhab