After we returned from Turkey, I started working at Abby's school (Radhwa International American Curriculum) in Yanbu for the 4th quarter. I took on the job of teaching 6th, 9th and 10th grade English Literature, so my life got quite busy the last few months in Yanbu.
My degree is in Secondary English Ed and Communications, but it's been a long time since I had been in front of a middle school or high school classroom, so it was a challenge for me, but well worth it! I got to see the school from the inside and see more about the curriculum and the culture within the school all the way through, rather than just being a parent looking in. I have to say I was NOT disappointed!
The curriculum is American, Pearson to be exact and all texts and teaching is done in English. They do offer Arabic at all levels and Islamic studies, but any expats that attend are asked before their children receive instruction in either. We did choose at the beginning of the year for Abby to receive both and she has picked it up quickly - she can now recite 5 versus of the Quran and she corrects my Arabic all the time - which is handy when I forget the word for toilet! :)
Teaching was wonderful! My classes were small since the school is only in its second year; just 8 students in 6th, 3 in 9th and 1 in 10th, but it was perfect for me to get back in the swing of teaching. The school is separated by boys and girls classes after 3rd grade so I taught all girls. My students were from all over, Saudi, Lebanon, Egypt, Canada, so it was a very diverse experience even with such small classes.
The curriculum was very much in line with American Curriculum. My 9th and 10th graders studied Shakespeare and my 6th grade studied multicultural short stories all with grammar included. For my 6th grade I also included a book report project, 9th grade learned public speaking and 10th grade wrote a thesis paper.
I have to say the girls really blew me away with their work! I was so proud of them and the school in general which made me realize how lucky we were in the choices we made for Abby's education while abroad. At the end of the quarter the testing I gave was pretty intense. I wrote a high level exam for each class, but all the girls really excelled and everyone did amazing! They really worked hard throughout the quarter and were excited to learn.
Abby finished her Pre-K class as well and is moving onto KG1 next year. She's growing up so fast. She's speaking Arabic and learning sight words (we're up to around 30 words now). She knows Arabic and English alphabet and counting (Arabic to 10 and English to 20). Her school had a Spring Annual Day (kinda like a spring concert) just before the end of the quarter and her and her friends were so cute. They performed if you're happy and you know it with hula skirts and Hawaiian outfits. All the kids were so adorable and talk about a celebration! Nothing like spring concerts in the States.
The presentation was for mom's only since the teachers were uncovered and the mom's uncover to enjoy the show (so no men or dad's allowed). Unfortunately, I couldn't video or take pictures either, but her teachers arranged for professional pictures of the kids in their outfits so I do have some to show. There were sandwiches and sweets, along with coffee, tea and water passed to all mothers throughout the program. At the end, all of the kids received an end of year gift. Abby received a small camping kit and loves it.
All in all it was a fantastic but busy couple months in the Kingdom from March to May, but we survived and I'm glad I took the opportunity to teach again. I now have a better picture of Abby's school and know the administration and teachers so it helps me feel more comfortable as a mom. Even in the States, I would worry at this age about what my daughter is doing in school (yes, I'm having a difficult time with her growing up), so to see it from the inside was really wonderful for me.
We are back in the States for the summer, enjoying a little vacation and will update soon! Just another chapter on our adventure!