End of Semester Celebration

In the last day of the semester the entire class brought different special dish. We were told to bring in a traditional meal that meant something to you and/or has story behind it. Each one had to bring whatever they want appetizer, main course, or dessert.  Each one brought different type of food. I decided to bring an appetizer dish called “fatat bathenjan”. It is kind of salad that contains fried potato, eggplant, and pita bread toped with yogurt and green souse. I love this dish especially when my mom makes it. See the pictures below.   

I was very exciting for this in-class activity. The purpose of this activity just was to have fun for ending the class and to nicely say goodbye to each other.   

Games Around the World

During this fall semester the entire class did a class activity called “Games Around the World.” Everyone had to researched games from a chosen different country to bring to class and share. Every one had something fun and unique to share, and we all learned a lot about different countries through their games. We all played the games each one brought. We played some of the games outside the classroom while others we played in the classroom. 

Games are a universal value, and something that can connect us despite our differences. It was fun to learn about background knowledge of the games we played growing up, and apply it to the new and similar games from other parts of the world. Many games had similarities with one another and even to games children in Saudi Arabia play.  

This was a distinguish and fun way to learn about social studies and apply it in a way we could relate no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from. This activity is the best way to teach young children geography concepts.  

Change Over Time

Teaching time to young children is not easy and can be tricky. In Social Studies class, we were conversing how to teach time continuity and change over time to young children. The technique we use to understand the topic, we went outside on a nice October Thursday to document and take pictures of the changing leaves and trees. Being from Jeddah SA, I never get to actually see the different seasons, I just see summer and spring seasons. The weather tends to be mostly hot and humid with cold days here and there in the spring. It is amazing to view a diverse four seasons for once living here in South Bend. Fall season is a step between winter and summer. It is a mixed season with very warm days along with cold days. The weather is unpredictable. In some areas it is an enjoyable time for the leaves turn magnificent colors. In this season, we saw colored leaves; they were a beautiful mixture of red, orange, brown, and green. You can see this in the pictures below.

Watching the seasons change, as fall does with falling colored leaves, is an appropriate way to teach children that things change over time.