School life
In a United Arab Emirates classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Middle East · Country briefing
United Arab Emirates
A child-friendly mission briefing for 20 November - capital, climate, school day, languages, fun facts, native animals, and five questions to ask the class on the other side of the world.
- CapitalAbu Dhabi
- Population~11 million
- Time zoneAsia/Dubai (UTC +4)
- CurrencyUnited Arab Emirates dirham (AED)
United Arab Emirates, with Abu Dhabi marked
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Climate in November: Mild autumn; cooler in the north.
The capital
Abu Dhabi
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes United Arab Emirates a bit special.
The Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world · 828 metres
Open lesson
Palm Jumeirah
An island built in the shape of a palm tree
Open lesson
The Hope Probe - to Mars
The first Arab mission to another planet · arrived 2021
Open lesson
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A masterpiece of white marble, flowers and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet
Open lesson
Seven emirates, one country
How seven small lands joined together in 1971 to become the UAE
Open lesson
Tap any card to open a class-ready mini-lesson - for the teacher to walk through, or an older child to read aloud.
Native animals
Wildlife your partner class might know best.
- 🦅
Falconry - the ancient bird friendship
A 2,000-year-old desert tradition where falcons and people work as a team
Open lesson
- 🐪
Camel racing - with robot jockeys
Long-legged desert runners and the tiny robots that ride them
Open lesson
- 🦌
The Arabian oryx - saved from disappearing
A snow-white desert antelope brought back from the edge of extinction
Open lesson
- 🐪
The Arabian camel - the desert traveller
One-humped, gentle, and built to walk where nothing else can
Open lesson
- 🦅
The saker falcon
A powerful hunter of open lands - the bird the UAE is built around
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!Arabic
Five questions to ask
Conversation starters
- 01What does your school day look like?
- 02What do you eat at lunch?
- 03What games do you play at break?
- 04What's the weather like today?
- 05What do you wish more children around the world knew about your country?
What not to assume
Friendly cautions
- ℹUnited Arab Emirates has many regions and communities - there is no single experience.
- ℹClimate, food, and traditions can vary widely from one part of the country to another.
Culture
Food, music, sport, festivals.
Food
Music
Festivals
Tap any chip to open a class-ready lesson - what it is, why it matters, fun facts.
Reflection prompts
- “What's something you'd love to share about your school day?”
- “What's the most surprising thing you'd love to ask the other class?”
Could your class meet United Arab Emirates?
Choose United Arab Emirateswhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.