PenPal Schools is committed to supporting learners across the United Arab Emirates as they pursue mastery in the skills and knowledge central to the social sciences.
In the United Arab Emirates, the instruction of social sciences supports the study of information, skills, and concepts in the disciplines of history, geography, political science, economics, anthropology, psychology, law, archaeology, and sociology. In the United Arab Emirates, instruction in the social sciences emphasizes connections between the peoples and nations of the world, connections between science, technology, and society, and the practice good citizenship.
PenPal Schools helps students from the United Arab Emirates develop skills and content knowledge by connecting each student with peers from around the world to learn through collaborative online lessons.
Within each PenPal Schools topic, students develop the communication, technology, and problem-solving skills central to academic and professional success in the 21st century. PenPal Schools helps students develop subject knowledge in topics ranging from history and geography to robotics, economics, and literature. Topics are offered in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese.
Use this resource to align PenPal Schools topics and learning outcomes with the United Arab Emirates Social Science and National Education Student Profile and Content Standards.
In the United Arab Emirates, the instruction of social sciences supports the study of information, skills, and concepts in the disciplines of history, geography, political science, economics, anthropology, psychology, law, archaeology, and sociology. In the United Arab Emirates, instruction in the social sciences emphasizes connections between the peoples and nations of the world, connections between science, technology, and society, and the practice good citizenship.
PenPal Schools helps students from the United Arab Emirates develop skills and content knowledge by connecting each student with peers from around the world to learn through collaborative online lessons.
Within each PenPal Schools topic, students develop the communication, technology, and problem-solving skills central to academic and professional success in the 21st century. PenPal Schools helps students develop subject knowledge in topics ranging from history and geography to robotics, economics, and literature. Topics are offered in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese.
Use this resource to align PenPal Schools topics and learning outcomes with the United Arab Emirates Social Science and National Education Student Profile and Content Standards.
Student Profile Alignment
The United Arab Emirates Student Profile contains themes to guide students’ holistic development. The themes of the UAE Student Profile include critical thinking and problem solving, functional bilingualism, national identity, and many others. These skills are central to each collaborative PenPal Schools topic. Alongside each student profile attribute below are recommended PenPal topics, supplemental teacher materials, and alignment with assessment criteria.
Teamwork, Communication, and Leadership: Be able to work effectively in teams, share with others, and demonstrate flexibility.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Be able to use critical thinking and problem solving skills,communicate using clear language, and have demonstrated presentation and discussion skills.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, Comprehension Outcomes, Writing Outcomes,
SEL Outcomes
Functional Bilingualism: Be able to read, speak, and write with ease in both Arabic and English in social and academic environments.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics; Topics for English Language Learners (World Explorer, A World of
Food, Schools Around the World)
Recommended Resources: Comprehension Outcomes, Writing Outcomes
Technological Literacy: Be able to use modern technology to connect and communicate effectively and integrate with the increasingly globalized world.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics; Technology Specific Topics (Robotics, Digital Citizenship)
Recommended Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, Digital Literacy Outcomes
National Identity: Apply a sophisticated knowledge of the nation’s religion, history, language, and common destiny to preserve national heritage and identity.
Recommended PenPal Topics: World Explorer, World Religions, Schools Around the World, VR Field Trips
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, SEL Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes
Respect for and Understanding of the Islamic Faith: Demonstrate a positive attitude, empathy and respect for the Islamic faith.
Recommended PenPal Topics: World Religions, Holidays & Festivals of the World
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, SEL Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes
Innovative and Creative Skills: Demonstrate a sense of creativity and innovation that allows them to express their skills through scientific experiments and application of logic.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics; STEM Topics (The Human Body, The Solar System, Plant &
Animal Adaptation, Protecting the Planet)
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, Mathematics Outcomes
Honesty and Responsibility: Demonstrate that personal values of responsibility, honesty, transparency and hard work shape their life choices.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes
Physical Well- Being: Possess a healthy lifestyle that leads to physical well-being
Recommended PenPal Topics: The Human Body, Digital Citizenship, World Explorer, A World of Food
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes,
Science Outcomes
Teamwork, Communication, and Leadership: Be able to work effectively in teams, share with others, and demonstrate flexibility.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Be able to use critical thinking and problem solving skills,communicate using clear language, and have demonstrated presentation and discussion skills.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, Comprehension Outcomes, Writing Outcomes,
SEL Outcomes
Functional Bilingualism: Be able to read, speak, and write with ease in both Arabic and English in social and academic environments.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics; Topics for English Language Learners (World Explorer, A World of
Food, Schools Around the World)
Recommended Resources: Comprehension Outcomes, Writing Outcomes
Technological Literacy: Be able to use modern technology to connect and communicate effectively and integrate with the increasingly globalized world.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics; Technology Specific Topics (Robotics, Digital Citizenship)
Recommended Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, Digital Literacy Outcomes
National Identity: Apply a sophisticated knowledge of the nation’s religion, history, language, and common destiny to preserve national heritage and identity.
Recommended PenPal Topics: World Explorer, World Religions, Schools Around the World, VR Field Trips
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, SEL Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes
Respect for and Understanding of the Islamic Faith: Demonstrate a positive attitude, empathy and respect for the Islamic faith.
Recommended PenPal Topics: World Religions, Holidays & Festivals of the World
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, SEL Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes
Innovative and Creative Skills: Demonstrate a sense of creativity and innovation that allows them to express their skills through scientific experiments and application of logic.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics; STEM Topics (The Human Body, The Solar System, Plant &
Animal Adaptation, Protecting the Planet)
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, Mathematics Outcomes
Honesty and Responsibility: Demonstrate that personal values of responsibility, honesty, transparency and hard work shape their life choices.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes
Physical Well- Being: Possess a healthy lifestyle that leads to physical well-being
Recommended PenPal Topics: The Human Body, Digital Citizenship, World Explorer, A World of Food
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes,
Science Outcomes
Content Standard Alignment
The United Arab Emirates content standards require students to understand the facts, concepts, principles and perspectives that shape the social science disciplines. Students must be able to apply their mastery of content knowledge to complex situations and contexts in order to prepare for future academic and career related challenges. PenPal Schools supports the development of social science content knowledge through a variety of standards aligned collaborative PenPal topics.
Grades 1 through 5
Inquire about and explain how significant people, events, and developments have shaped communities and regions, and compare them with other communities in other times and places.
Recommended PenPal Topics: World Explorer, Walking to Freedom, Explorers & Adventurers, VR Field Trips
Recommended Teacher Resources: World Knowledge Outcomes
Distinguish, compare, and interpret various types of maps and explain natural events and relationships between different characteristics of the environment.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Protecting the Planet, Navigation & Cartography, Joining Forces for the
Environment, Weather & Meteorology
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes,
Writing Outcomes
Explain how geographic and climatic factors have influenced people throughout the past and today.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Protecting the Planet, Joining Forces for the Environment, Weather & Meteorology
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes,
Writing Outcomes
Describe basic economic concepts, including wealth creation, the characteristics of a market, and economic incentives for entrepreneurship.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Financial Literacy, Multiplication & Division
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, Mathematics Outcomes
Demonstrate competency in gathering and evaluating sources, and using evidence to support their claims.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, Digital Literacy Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes,
Writing Outcomes
Use technology and other sources to gather data and information; work collaboratively with others to learn more about disciplinary content and concepts, prepare arguments and explanations, arrive at conclusions, and critique those conclusions.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes,
Digital Literacy Outcomes
Grades 6 through 9
Identify changes and patterns in world history through the use of models and qualitative data, including analysis of features of the Industrial Revolution and the European Renaissance.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Financial Literacy, World Explorer, Walking to Freedom, VR Field Trips
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, Mathematics Outcomes
Explain the impact of advanced technology on geographical resources and understanding, and how social, cultural, economic factors shape and are shaped by the physical environment.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Protecting the Planet, Joining Forces for the Environment, Weather & Meteorology,
Navigation & Cartography
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes,
Writing Outcomes
Describe national economic development, the state’s investment in this and in international trade, and how individual choices affect future income and national productivity.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Financial Literacy, Digital Citizenship
Recommended Teacher Resources: World Knowledge Outcomes, Mathematics Outcomes, Comprehension
Outcomes
Evaluate primary and secondary interpretations of an event to provide constructive criticism of all aspects of an issue; design a plan to address and solve the issue with clear steps for implementation.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes,
Digital Literacy Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes, Writing Outcomes
Grades 1 through 5
Inquire about and explain how significant people, events, and developments have shaped communities and regions, and compare them with other communities in other times and places.
Recommended PenPal Topics: World Explorer, Walking to Freedom, Explorers & Adventurers, VR Field Trips
Recommended Teacher Resources: World Knowledge Outcomes
Distinguish, compare, and interpret various types of maps and explain natural events and relationships between different characteristics of the environment.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Protecting the Planet, Navigation & Cartography, Joining Forces for the
Environment, Weather & Meteorology
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes,
Writing Outcomes
Explain how geographic and climatic factors have influenced people throughout the past and today.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Protecting the Planet, Joining Forces for the Environment, Weather & Meteorology
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes,
Writing Outcomes
Describe basic economic concepts, including wealth creation, the characteristics of a market, and economic incentives for entrepreneurship.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Financial Literacy, Multiplication & Division
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, Mathematics Outcomes
Demonstrate competency in gathering and evaluating sources, and using evidence to support their claims.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, Digital Literacy Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes,
Writing Outcomes
Use technology and other sources to gather data and information; work collaboratively with others to learn more about disciplinary content and concepts, prepare arguments and explanations, arrive at conclusions, and critique those conclusions.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes,
Digital Literacy Outcomes
Grades 6 through 9
Identify changes and patterns in world history through the use of models and qualitative data, including analysis of features of the Industrial Revolution and the European Renaissance.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Financial Literacy, World Explorer, Walking to Freedom, VR Field Trips
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, Mathematics Outcomes
Explain the impact of advanced technology on geographical resources and understanding, and how social, cultural, economic factors shape and are shaped by the physical environment.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Protecting the Planet, Joining Forces for the Environment, Weather & Meteorology,
Navigation & Cartography
Recommended Teacher Resources: Science Outcomes, World Knowledge Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes,
Writing Outcomes
Describe national economic development, the state’s investment in this and in international trade, and how individual choices affect future income and national productivity.
Recommended PenPal Topics: Financial Literacy, Digital Citizenship
Recommended Teacher Resources: World Knowledge Outcomes, Mathematics Outcomes, Comprehension
Outcomes
Evaluate primary and secondary interpretations of an event to provide constructive criticism of all aspects of an issue; design a plan to address and solve the issue with clear steps for implementation.
Recommended PenPal Topics: All Topics
Recommended Teacher Resources: 21st Century Skills Toolkit, PenPal Schools Class Activities, SEL Outcomes,
Digital Literacy Outcomes, Comprehension Outcomes, Writing Outcomes
PenPal Schools and Academic Standard Alignment
Interested in learning more about PenPal Schools and academic alignment? Send an e-mail to support@penpalschools.com with “UAE Alignment” in the subject line.
