Sep 25, 2010

Toy Project: Unison World School, India

Our new friends at Unison World School



Toys bring smiles and magic! They are a great way to bring us together. They have symbolic meaning and tell us a great deal about the way we live and reflect culture.
Special thanks to Ms. Ritu Beri from Unison World School in India for joining our "Toy Project" and giving us the chance to compare our toys with yours. It looks you had a wonderful toy day!
Looking forward to more collaboration this school year.

Sep 22, 2010

Silent Chalk Talk

Silent Chalk Talk Activity & Back to School





Chalk Talk is a silent conversation in writing that allows students to have an equal opportunity to participate. It is a versatile protocol that can be used for many purposes. It is a way to reflect, generate ideas, assess background knowledge, check on learning, develop projects, or solve problems. Because it is done completely in silence, it gives groups a change of pace and encourages thoughtful contemplation.
1. The facilitator explains that the chalk talk is a silent activity. No participant may talk at all. Anyone may add to the chalk talk, as they please. You can add new ideas in word or symbol form as well as comment on the ideas of others simply by drawing a connecting line, etc., to the comment.
Special thanks to Microsoft for giving us the chance to attend Mr. Les Foltos' workshop in Washington DC. Silent Chalk Talk was an interesting activity to write and express our ideas and feelings that summer vacation is over and it's "back to school" again!

Sep 21, 2010

Back to School with Eid Cards from Malaysia





It's back to school again!...and our back to school was very special with the special box which was waiting for us at school from our new friends at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sena School in Malaysia. This box brought very happy Eid memories with the beautiful decorated Eid cards. It opened great discussions about what we did during the days of Eid and how we celebrated it with our families and friends. They also sent us wonderful gifts such as stories, stickers, wallets, and a red box with hearts and flowers.

They gave us the chance to travel to Malaysia while we're sitting in the classroom reading their country brochures: Sarawak, the land of the hornbills and the largest state in the country. Kelantan, cradle of Malay culture, a charming destination with colorful traditions, interesting pastimes and superb handicrafts. Sabah, the land below the wind...the tropical rainforests. Perak, the land of grace with picturesque islands and beaches. Johor, the southern gateway. Terengganu, the gem of the East Coast. Negeri Sembilan, Perlis, Melaka, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysia's dazzling capital city.
Ms. Muainah Ismail, thank you so much for making our back to school a very special one...and we'll send you cards and Arabic stories soon.

Eid Mubarak to you all with our best wishes from Lebanon!

SELAMAT HARI RAYA :)

Sep 18, 2010

The Sheepdog Trials


We learned from our friends how to draw a sheep wagon. We followed the direction from the picture they have sent us and found it easy to draw it...and here are our sheep wagons!


As they promised, our friends from Sunset Elementary School in Colorado, have sent us a digital explanation of the sheepdog trials.

Mrs. Arnett, it's an awesome and creative description of the process. Thank you friends!

Sep 14, 2010

Oscar's Adventures In India

Oscar in DPS Bargalore North
India, the colorful country!
Oscar enjoying delicious mangoes.



Oscar, the teddy bear who is traveling around the world to meet new friends, had a wonderful time in India and learned a lot about the Indians' traditions and culture. He sat with puppets, did yoga, and had delicious food with his friends. He learned about fibers and was the judge at a painting exhibition. He was also very happy to visit the Butterfly Garden and to learn how to plant trees.
Now Oscar is on his way to our beloved country, "LEBANON". We can't wait to meet him and tell him about our school and country.
Oscar, we wish you a safe flight!!! See you soon :)

Sep 12, 2010

Sheepdog Trials: Sunset Elementary School, Colorado


A day at the Meeker Classic Championship Sheepdog Trials in Meeker, Colorado

Our friends from Sunset Elementary School in Craig, Colorado USA have spent a day at the Meeker Classic Championship Sheepdog Trials in Meeker, Colorado and shared with us this video. The Meeker Classic Championship Sheepdog Trials are held in Meeker, Colorado, every year. Handlers come from all around the world to compete. There are lots of sheep raised in their area and the ranchers use border collies to herd the sheep. They learned all about sheep, the dogs, and the contest in school then traveled to the trials for a firsthand experience. Our friends have also promised to put together a digital story that tells more about it for us!
Mrs. Cheryl Arnett, we are really so excited to work on joint projects for the second year and we wish you all the best for the new school year. THANK YOU