Focus on Social Studies Meet the Social Studies team Back row L‐R: R Smyth, L Milne, B John, L Glenny, R Cook Front row L‐R: S Mohamed, A Abu Shams, R Murray Rachel Smyth Larissa Milne Barry John Lucy Glenny Rebecca Cook I completed my BA (Hons) in Physical Education at Wolverhampton University and after
teaching for 2 years at Moseley Park in Wolverhampton I decided to move to Abu Dhabi.
This is my 4th year now in Abu Dhabi. I was originally employed at Al Muna Primary school
for 2 years a before I began working at Al Bateen. Although I have always taught
predominately Physical Education, I’ve always taken a keen interest in Social studies and
History. I love how enthusiastic pupils are about Social Studies and History at Al Bateen and
their willingness to open their minds to new topics. Sara Mohamed Aida Abu Shams Mrs Rose Murray – Head of History Department Mrs Murray has been teaching history and social studies at Al Bateen since its opening in September 2011. Previous to her move to Abu Dhabi, she taught in three schools in Northern Ireland and in June 1997 she completed a MEd in Educational Psychology at Queens University, Belfast. Whilst teaching in Northern Ireland Mrs Murray taught history to students from Year 7 to Advanced level and is really keen to teach the history programme at IB Diploma level in Al Bateen in the future. Her key area of specialism is in 20th century Irish history, followed closely by a keen interest in sixteenth century European history. “I have thoroughly enjoyed studying and teaching social studies at Al Bateen. The history of the Arabian Peninsula in general and the history of the UAE in particular is fascinating and I am learning so much about the culture and traditions of this area. I have visited museums in Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah, Fujairah and Oman and places such as the Empty Quarter, Liwa, and Al Ain oasis in order to extend my knowledge and appreciation of the cultural heritage of this part of the Arabian Peninsula.” Social Studies History Social studies students are studying the history and geography of the United Arab Emirates and one of the highlights of this year’s social studies programme was the visit of Mr Al Fahim and Dr P Dougherty. In year 7, History students are studying the ancient history of the peninsula, using their historical skills to look at evidence to find out what went on here thousands of years ago. This includes studies of the Bronze Age, The Iron Age, the Umm An Nar Period and the Wadi Suq tradition. This term students will look at ancient civilisations in the Middle East from the Assyrians and the Babylonians to the ancient Persians. In year 8, social studies students will study the history of this area from 6th to the 19th Century. We have completed a unit of work on the birth of the Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H.) and the problems he had to overcome in spreading Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. In the next term we will research the spread and impact of Islam beyond the Arabian Peninsula area and the problems for the society and culture. This will include an assessment of the Crusades and the colonisation by the Portuguese and the British. In addition, students have the opportunity to read the students’ version of ‘Rags to Riches’. In year 9 students study the history of the UAE in the 20th century. This will include the part played by the Middle East in WW1 and the role of the Trucial states up to the formation of the United Arab Emirates. We will research how the federation was formed, what the constitution means and how the government institutions work. In the next term we will study other countries in the Arab world. In addition to this, we read and discuss current issues relevant to the development of UAE society in the twenty‐first century, for example, the UAE’s present foreign and domestic policies.