Sparkles Online School

Sparkles Online School

Welcome to Sparkles Online School. We are proud to announce the beginning of our online school.

Sparkles Online School is an online resource created with the aim of supporting teaching and learning at primary school level. Our aim is to empower teachers and students alike. Our videos present concepts that would make learning in core subjects enjoyable.

Videos are available in English and Urdu language. We have covered various concepts in Mathematics, Science and English. Art videos will be added shortly. We shall be adding videos to creative mumz

We hope you will enjoy watching and learning!

Teacher Jobs

Hi everyone, we have moved our page-“TEACHER JOBS” from our current site to our new site “What a Teacher!”

http://whatateacher.wordpress.com

Preschool, Kindergarten and Primary teachers, please go to my new website to post your name,qualification and experience in brief.

Attended the Book Signing of I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! at Magrudys

I attended the book signing of the novel I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! yesterday at Magrudys, Dubai Festival Center. The authors Mariam and Fatima Masood gave a presentation about the five character skins presented in the book and the storyline. This was followed by a quick quiz and Q&A session. Nice event. Have read the book…a very interesting story.

Exclusive Launch & Book Signing Event of the novel, I Know Who You Are! at Karachi International Book Fair 2009

Liberty Books presents the

Exclusive Launch & Book Signing Event of the novel,

I Know Who You Are! by Pakistani twin authors, Mariam and Fatima Masood,

during the Karachi International Book Fair 2009.

Be at the Karachi Expo Center, Activity Area, Hall 1

on Sunday, 13th December 2009 between 1:00 -1:45 pm in the afternoon.

http://www.iknowwhoyouare-thebook.com/

BOOK SIGNING OF I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! AT JASHANMAL BOOK STORES, MALL OF THE EMRATES ON 30th MAY

BOOK SIGNING AT JASHANMAL BOOKSTORES, MALL OF THE EMIRATES, DUBAI FROM 4PM-7PM ON SATURDAY 30TH MAY 2009.

MEET THE AUTHORS OF I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! AND GET YOUR COPY SIGNED!

I Know Who You Are! The Book

Events.Offers.Promotions

In this section I shall be adding information about events, offers and promotions that are on around town. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.

• BOOK SIGNING, I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! AT JASHANMAL BOOK STORE AT MALL OF THE EMIRATES FROM 4PM-7PM ON 30TH MAY, 2009
• The 7^th UAE – UNLEASH YOUR DNA SEMINAR, supported by EMIRATES ON 23RD MAY
• OFFERS AT DUBAI OUTLET MALL
• MORE…

Study Fashion Design Online with the Studio Art School

www.creativemumz.com

Studio Art School, UK

Study Fashion Design Online  with the Studio Art School 

Introduction to Fashion Design and Illustration

Course summary
This is a practical project based course for those who have creative flair and an interest in Fashion, as well as a desire to produce original work. Students work to given briefs, and are encouraged to develop conceptual, analytical and problem solving skills.

Activities include:
 
Designing for fashion on the figure using figure templates
Creating ‘specification’ drawings
Illustrating fabrics and garments in a range of media
Exploring fashion trends and predictions
Undertaking market research
Learning about fabrics
Researching fashion history
Creating mood boards

Certification  
This course leads to the award of the Level 1 Certificate in Design and Crafts from the City & Guilds of London Institute, the UK’s leading provider of vocational qualifications.
On completion of this course, students may wish to progress to City & Guilds level 2,      
” Fashion Design and Illustration”.

Entry requirements
No formal entry requirements.
 

What it costs
Course fee: £290.00
 
What’s included in the fee
The course fee includes unlimited online tuition and support, together with access to course materials and to a secure personal online studio, where you can upload and store images of your work and communicate with your tutor.
 
Our courses are supported by comprehensive learning materials which provide step by step instructions, together with suggestions for further study and information on artists, techniques and materials.
What our students say.
“My experience of studying with Studio Art School has been very positive. I have found the website very easy to manage and the activities are well structured and paced. I have been very impressed with the speed and quality of the  tutors’ feedback.”. Helen, Barcelona.

When you apply please mention about CREATIVE MUMZ.

How to apply
Comprehensive details about our courses and our online application form can be found at; http://www.studioartschool.co.uk/index.aspx

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE?

www.creativemumz.com 

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE…….

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued,
“What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in
life was to become a teacher?” He reminded the other dinner guests what
they say about teachers: “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.”

To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie.
Be honest. What do you make?”

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You
want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began…)

“Well lets see, for starters, I make kids work harder than they ever thought
they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honour.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents
can’t make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental…

(She paused again then went on)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know
in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were
given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
“Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up
high and pay no attention because they are ignorant… Do you want to
know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
What do you make?”

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER YOU KNOW.
THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT:

“Teachers make every other profession”.

This was worth sharing!

Catch us with what’s new, log on to www.creativemumz.com

Anger Management-Over Criticism by Parents

www.creativemumz.com

At Creative Mumz we believe in nurturing the parent-child bond. Although all parents including me claim and really do love their kids more than anything, but at times our love falls prey to our own frustrations and anger. We might loose control in difficult situations but need to educate ourselves to keep our cool, be more understanding and reasonable, esp. when dealing with kids. 

The following article is very thought provoking, so I felt like sharing it with all of you.

The most popular emotional wrecking tool with parents is over-criticism.
The slogan of the over-critical parent is “I’ll get that kid to shape up even if it kills him! After all, its for his/her OWN good! They will thank me some day!”

The really dedicated over-critical parent rides the kid’s back from the moment his feet touch the floor in the morning until he passes out at night! They become angry to the point of rage (or violence) whenever their kid “fails” to live up to their expectations. They resort to all kinds of ways and means to punish and “humiliate” the kid to live up to their unrealistic expectations and standards. The apparent aim of this kind of misguided parent(s) is to build the child up by tearing them down! The end result of course is just that, a torn down, broken hearted and bitter(angry) kid!

The child (victim) of the over-critical parent’s “good intentions” soon starts to feel that he or she just can’t do anything right! Whenever he or she falls short of perfection, they are made to feel they are a total screw up. And he now begins to feel that, since he or she has failed to live up to their parent’s impossibly high standards and expectations, he doesn’t therefore deserves their love and respect. A deep and dark feeling of “self-contempt” (anger at self) and worthlessness overwhelms him to the point of self-destructive behavior. Kids resent (are angry about) being “put down” and insulted all the time ESPECIALLY by their OWN parents! They rebel against it, and parents then wonder “whats gotten into him ?”

Since he has been made to feel he’s a “loser” by HIS OWN PARENT(S), he will now dramatize (act out) this conviction for the rest of his life.

Check out our website for information about our group for mums in Dubai and Sharjah. www.creativemumz.com

Before I was a Mom!

www.creativemumz.com  

This is an article that Shagufta, my friend and member of Creative Mumz has sent to be added to the Creative Mumz newsletter. I thought I could post it here instead for all of you to read.

“Before I was a Mom, I ate hot meals.  I would sit at the table without
having to get up for extra napkins, ketchup, or to pick up the spoon that
was hurdled across the room.  I never had to say, Clean your plate or no
dessert! I was able to talk on the phone for hours at a time without interruptions.Before I was a Mom, I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about
what time I got into bed. My house was always clean.  There were never dishes in the sink or crumbs left on the table.  I never tripped over toys or made up my own games or a lullaby to sooth a crying baby.

Before I was a Mom, I didn’t worry whether my plants were poisonous, if the
coffee table had sharp corners or if the electrical sockets were exposed. I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, my body
and all my feelings and emotions.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so that doctors
could do tests or give shots. I never thought about immunizations or
learned how to read a thermometer.  I never looked into teary eyes and
cried with compassion.  I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the
hurt.  I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so unconditionally.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want
to put it down or stayed up late at night just to watch it sleep so
peacefully. I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my
body.  I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.  
Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten out of bed in the middle of the
night to make sure that everyone was covered with blankets and had their
teddy bear & just in case.

Before I was a Mom, I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much.  I had
never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache or the
satisfaction that being a Mom can bring.  I never knew just how much I
would love being a mom. I never fully understood my own mother’s joys and
sorrows.  I didn’t appreciate everything she did for me or really thank her
enough for the wisdom she shared.   Before I was a mom I never loved my
mother the same way I do now.

My life has changed & there is no doubt about it, but there isn’t anything
I would be willing to do or any gift I’d be willing to receive to go back
to the days of Before I was a Mom.”

A Goal a Day!

www.creativemumz.com

Accomplish a goal a day!  We usually are working hard everyday to accopmplish our short as well as long term goals that may be personal, family or work related. There may be time involved before you accomplish these, thus keeping you waiting to get a sense of accomplishment. Accomplishment acts as a catalyst to promote one’s self esteme, self confidence and moral.

Therefore apart from these goals, I believe in setting simple daily goals as well. Something special, something that will give me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Something I like doing. Thus charging my energies. Try setting goals that can be fun or creativity oriented, so that you feel happy and relaxed each day. Plan a day ahead about what you would like to do tomorrow. Perhaps brainstorm at night before sleeping. Examples could be, setting out 30 minutes to complete an art project, writing a short article or incident, drawing, acquiring a new skill, reading short stories, organizing your paper work, arranging your stuff at home, walk with a friend, searching the net for articles of interest, writing down your ideas in a note pad and reading all at the end of the month, learning 10 new words and their meanings using a dictionary, rearranging your room or setting, read a story to a child in the house, and other things that you like doing and can be completed on the same day in a short time.

Creative Mumz (www.creativemumz.com) encourages all mothers to set daily goals as well, assign special time to attain simple, short and  satisfying goals that would make them feel happy and relaxed.

Magic Potion

www.creativemumz.com

My elder son started school when he was three and within the first month of his nursery school he started getting sick. He used to get throat infections, coughs, blocked nose, wheezing and high fever. This continued and our visits to doctors increased. He used to end up getting an antibiotic doze every month on average. We saw many doctors, the child had many blood tests and lung x-rays to check for mucus. His tonsils and adinoids got enlarged, had pus in the tonsils and the child snored at night. One ENT specialist suggested tonsil operation at the age of 3.5 years. We were all very worried since getting down with high fever and pus in the throat became a regular feature. We had tried all medicines, tonics and herbals.

Then by God’s grace, one of my friend who is from India told me about SEPTILIN.  This is a product by Himalaya Herbals which enhances the bodies immunity and helps in cases of tonsils, sinus and similar issues. Mashallah my son has been having this mdicine since 1 year and with Allah’s grace he is keeping well. I give him regularly as a tonic and esp. when he starts to get a cold. I would suggest all mothers to try it with kids even elders can have it and it should inshallah prove to be the magic potion for you. But remember it is God who is the healer and not the medicine! 

Since we benefited from this medicine, I wanted to share this with all of you. You can perhaps search about it on the net to buy it online.

Check out our group’s website www.creativemumz.com for info on our activites.

The truth about truth!

www.creativemumz.com

The truth about truth is, “practicing it might sometimes cause you the most harm.” Many situations may arise in life when we can get way with false statements, facts and expressions. And this is what people at times. Because saying the right thin and accepting the true fact can get you into trouble. The question is, “are we ready to practice saying and accepting truth?” (Truth about the world, life, people and most important about us!)

We may always preach to be truthful, but how truthful are we?  Infact, to listen to the right thing, the true story, the right facts and accepting it, is the most difficult thing to do for many. Because we are not trained to do so, even if we are we are not strong enough to accept it!

And I think this is where parents, most importantly the mother comes into the picture. We as parents need to enable the next generation to say and accept the truth, no matter how bitter it may be. There is a constant need to educate and train our kids to develop inner strength to face facts rather than hiding them or moulding them to fit in or win situations.

And to do this, we need to be role models first. Here we can follow the saying, “practice what you preach.” Because truth is what will eventually prevail!!

Join our bunch of creative mothers at www.creativemumz.com . Join our mailing list for more information about upcoming events and workshops in Dubai and Sharjah.

Happy Mommy, Happy Family

www.creativemumz.com A happy mother makes a happy family. It is very vital that the mother of the house is happy, at peace mentally and smiling. Work around the house, crying babies, fighting sibblings, dirty laundry, stinking nappies, burnt toast and juice spilt on the new carpet can really put the home minister off! All this daily stress needs to be battled by the mother. It is then up to all others in the family to give her, if not many, atleast a couple of reasons to smile. A little ‘thank you’ note or ‘mommy you are the best’, getting a rose at the end of a tiring day, a big hug and continuous reassurance that she is respected for all her effort, is all that it takes to make a mother happy. It simple but it needs to be done.

So to all of you out there, send a little ‘love you mom’ note to the person who worked so hard to make you capable of what you are doing now!

Check out our group for mothers, log on to www.creativemumz.com