It has been over a month since UAE schools and universities have closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Since then, students have had to adjust to the ways of e-learning, and parents, most of whom are also restricted to the staying indoors, are searching for new ways to engage with their children.
The rise of online reading sessions by public figures, celebrities, authors and libraries can be a welcome help to those looking to keep their children entertained with educational resources. Here are a few from the UAE and abroad to check out.
Read Along with Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama is one of the many celebrities sharing reading time online. Last week, the former US first lady appeared in a video on American network PBS Kids to read The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
She will continue to read more of her favourite books online until Monday, May 11. The series of videos comes out of a partnership with the network and Penguin Random House to promote literacy, and the videos are shared on the YouTube channel and Facebook page of PBS Kids.
Reading Dogs UAE
Reading Dogs is known for hosting sessions with canine companions where children read to the dogs as a way to practice their skills in a more relaxing and fun setting. Now, the organisation has taken their activities online, putting together storytelling sessions on Instagram live. Their next session will be held on Tuesday, April 28 at 10.30am, featuring Millie the Pug with the story Frankie's Magic Football by Frank Lampard.
The Wadi Tribe Storytelling Sessions
The Wadi Tribe, a children's 'edutainment' brand in Dubai, launched online storytelling sessions with local author Saniya Chughtai last week. Reading from her own work, Chughtai writes about the adventures of a turtle named Tach and the magical world of Chee and Dae. The 40-minute sessions are held via Zoom every week and are free to attend, though registration is required.
New York Public Library
The best thing about the New York Public Library’s story time sessions? The props and puppets that make the videos livelier and more engaging for children. Each weekday, the children’s librarians read, clap and sing songs in videos shared on the library’s website.
Since the closure of the library in March, the New York Public Library has been staying active and connected to readers online, sharing 'pocket poems' and short stories on their Instagram .
Goodnight with Dolly
American country singer Dolly Parton brings to life a variety of characters with the help of her Southern accent in her video series Goodnight with Dolly, where she reads books from the Imagination Library, including The Little Engine That Could.
The show, which is available on YouTube, premiered on Friday, April 3 and now has four episodes.
Parton is among other Hollywood celebrities that have taken to hosting storytelling sessions in the midst of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders around the world. Chris Evans from The Avengers franchise and comedian Ellen DeGeneres have also shared videos on their social media channels.
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
UAE%20PREMIERSHIP
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The%20Beekeeper
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3E%0DThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Addis%20Ababa%20with%20Ethiopian%20Airlines%20with%20return%20fares%20from%20Dh1%2C700.%20Nashulai%20Journeys%20offers%20tailormade%20and%20ready%20made%20trips%20in%20Africa%20while%20Tesfa%20Tours%20has%20a%20number%20of%20different%20community%20trekking%20tours%20throughout%20northern%20Ethiopia.%20%20The%20Ben%20Abeba%20Lodge%20has%20rooms%20from%20Dh228%2C%20and%20champions%20a%20programme%20of%20re-forestation%20in%20the%20surrounding%20area.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The six points:
1. Ministers should be in the field, instead of always at conferences
2. Foreign diplomacy must be left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
3. Emiratisation is a top priority that will have a renewed push behind it
4. The UAE's economy must continue to thrive and grow
5. Complaints from the public must be addressed, not avoided
6. Have hope for the future, what is yet to come is bigger and better than before
