SOAR- ESL Boot-camp for Public School Children 🚍✍

 Today, We had a very special day at a Middle school. we had to observe classes at the SOAR - ESL Boot-camp for Public School Children. The day was really amazing, and we enjoyed it a lot.

when we got into the school, the program manager was waiting for us with her lovely team. They were ready with the breakfast; sandwiches, juice, water, and yogurt for the kids as well as we. She gave us some instructions and then directed us to the class. there were four classes two for reading one for maths and one for writing. I was lucky to attend all of them.


The first class was reading. In this class, there were four kids and two teachers. They started with a quick warm-up and then a lead into the reading. They unblocked the new vocabulary and then they mad reading circle. all the teachers and the students were reading together by turn. I enjoyed their interaction very much. I am eager to apply these circles in my classes.
      
The second class was reading, though. This time, the class was three students and a teacher. the class was interesting too. The teacher was conducting a kind of individual assessment. She set with each student alone and evaluated their performance in reading including top-down and Bottom-up skills. That was really interesting for me because in my classes I do not have the chance to work individually with the students.

The third class was a writing class. There were eight students and two teachers. They were using a very interesting writing tool called OREO writing planner. That was my first time with it. I saw the students are really active and into the learning. I usually use the Sandwich writing planner but of course, I will try the OREO next time.

Finally, I went to the Maths class. That class was fun and full of activities. the teachers were not only teaching maths but also, taking care of the pronunciation and the meaning of the new words. The class was about fractions. The students were really active participants and they proved smartness in personality and in mentality. Of course, I will use these techniques in my English for maths classes. By the end of this day. We felt very happy to set and spent the day with such promising kids.           

Hospitality Day! A day with an American Family. 🇪🇬👪🇺🇸

Yesterday, I spent the whole day with an American Family. Early in the morning, an old man called Jhonnie and his mother in law Dorthy. She is really a nice friendly woman. She sent Bob and me to Walmart to bring some groceries. and then I went with Bob to the neighbors garden to bring some fresh vegetables. We went through the garden and we had a lot of talk about the similarities and the differences between the American society and the Egyptian society in different fields such as the social, educational, financial and economical. When we were back, Hhonnie and I baked bread and banana cakes together and then, we had the lunch. It was really delicious. After the lunch, I started to tell them about Egypt and the places where they can visit. I had some sort of games like hieroglyphic symbols also, I wrote their names in Arabic and we did coloring some photos from Egypt. Bob used to host students from all over the world and I was lucky to be his first Egyptian visitor. I wrote my name in their visitors' book I was number 129 visitor. Lately, we went out in around and visited some places like Sam's, Walmart, Shoe Carnaval and the mall. The final part of the day, We took a family photo that Jhonnie will put in her Visitors' Album. She prepared me a carryout lunch and I gave them some souvenirs from Egypt. Finally, Bob drove me back to the Hotel with a promise to see each other again. 

Bob came to the hotel where I live to pick me up. Bob is really a nice man. We had a short conversation about my plan for the day, and I told him I will spend the day like what you do regularly. He took me on a ride for almost an hour in and around Fayetteville. I saw a lot of houses and green areas. then we headed to his house. He introduced me to his wife

I was really worried about the day. I thought It could be boring and I would not get much fun. On the contrary, It was a wonderful idea to spent with a host family. That forced me to speak in English all the time. I had to keep the conversations on. in addition to that, I had to see the others' culture and how really it affects the communication and the interaction between people from other countries. I think also, it achieves one of the targets of the program about exchanging and crosses cultures. For my future plans. I think I might be one of the hosts in my country. When I will have the chance to talk about my country, learn from the others and convey my message to the others all over the world.                 

Teaching Pronunciation 🎤

Yesterday we had a class about teaching pronunciation. The class was from Dr. Christina.there were 27 students in the class. It was a mix of the Egyptian, the American TEFLers, and the Mexican Teachers. In that class, we had some ideas for teaching pronunciation. the class was divided into mixed groups of the three nationalities. We had a great chance to practice a variety of activities in pairs, groups, and the whole class. Games like peas in the mouse, check yourself and the same sentences, different meanings. Also, She provided us with different materials for pronunciation activities like Mastering the American Accent. I really liked that class. I used to use some of these resources in my classes even me myself used them in learning the language. I guess these kind of classes are really interesting because it involves much interaction rather than lecturing all the time. I believe
that I am going to follow these steps when I am back.       

Literacy Assessment and Interventions 👯‍♀️

Literacy Assessment and Interventions class were by Dr. Linda Eilers. The class takes place in the auditorium. I was surprised by the number of the students we had about 22 kids plus 22 teachers. the kids are aged between pre-k to grade 7. It was about preparation for literacy camp. this camp will start next week. the class was about assessing the kids level by using different assessment tools like pictures, books, and reading passages. they were covering every single part of the language from the alphabet to reading passages and even by a physical response. they used different books like "PEA body picture vocabulary test","Assessing Reading Multiple Messages" "expressive vocab test" and "Strategies for Reading assessment and instructions". Dr. Linda and her staff are really helpful the explained to us every point of the class and how the assessment process goes on. the teachers are well trained and they are MAT students. this means that they are working as teachers or they are seeking their licenses to practice teaching. The class is going in the shape of one to one. We have noticed a child who is only 4.5 years old and he is really very smart. I liked him very much. one of the good stories that Dr. Linda told us was about a 6 years old girl who spent her night crying because of her mother and her teacher asked her to write a letter to her mother not to make her cry anymore. I loved this class very much. I really agree with the process of the learning and I think we should do the same stages in my institution. They started first with the needs analysis and then started to adopt the programs for each student separately and when they are going to lunch the program they are seeking. in some of these stages, it is duplicated in my institution. but we lack the accuracy and the designing process. I wish I could have the chance to do it.       

Learning Circles 👨‍🏫 👨‍👧‍👧 👨‍👧‍👧 👨‍👧‍👧

My second class observation was with Dr. Stephen Burgins. the class was about "Learning Circles". The class was held at PEAH 206. The students are 16 pre-service teachers of different ages. The class started the class earlier because they have an assessment after that the class started with introducing today's lesson. First, the teacher started with a video "Bunnies can fly. Prof." Then with a peer game. The class was really funny. The main purpose of this lesson to teach students to learn about the different stages of learning circles "Exploration, Explanation, and application". The teacher used different activities varied between individual, peer, group and whole class. I think that students are enjoying their lesson. After that, the teacher explained the meaning of the learning circles and the theoretical part. So, they learned "learning circles" through "learning circles". I think I agree with this technique as I believe learning by practice is better than the presenting the new information theoretically. I will try to do this in my following classes.              

Lifestyle and Career Development 🕺

Today was the first day I had a classroom observation at the University of Arkansas. The class was at 9:15 am with Dr. David Christian at GRAD 239. The doctor started the class with a friendly talk with his students about their free weekend activities. then, he proceeded with a reflective reading activity about " The 11 Best Career Quizzes to Help You Find Your Dream Job."
       
        Dr. David started telling them about what are they going to do all the week. the Dr. started with something like an introduction ceremony between the Egyptians and the students. After that, the teacher told us about the subject of the lesson which was "life career Assessment".

        The teacher used different materials like; the board, the computer, powerpoint presentations, the internet and mobile phones. Rather than the number of the students is about 9 students. the teach created a fun atmosphere.

        We had an activity role play, to practice a life career assessment between a counselor and a client. After that, the teacher started to reflect on the activity. It was really a good experience to attend such a class.       

Learning Teaching Through Chinese 🉐🏯

In 2015, I had the chance to attend a Chinese class. That was my first time to meet an English teacher who could teach such an interesting class. The teacher was really funny and I had so much fun that day. the teacher used many activities and different techniques to make us understand what he is doing. He used a group of pictures to tell us about the meaning. He made us repeat after him different sentences that were written by him on the board. After that, he made us practice these sentences many times and through activities like matching and ordering. Finally, we started to practice these sentences without seeing them and then we moved to the free practice. I thought that really a good example for an organized class as he started with unblocking the difficult vocabulary and then, he presented the new information in different ways and after that, he made us practice. It was a nice class that I will never forget.

Little Rock 🏔🎑

Last weekend, we went on a trip to Little Rock. It is known to 

be the capital of the state of Arkansas.The day before, we had a class about Little Rock. This class was a mixed class between the Mexican and the Egyptian. we started the class with a game by Dr. Gavin. she made us skim a paper for one minute. it was fall of information and then she divided the class into two small groups and we started the game and our team won. after that, Dr. Gavin started to tell us more about Little Rock. We knew a lot of incidents in the 50th of the last century and how the crisis of the Junior high school that left a scare in the USA, started a new era in the history of the civil rights in the USA. the next day we head up to Little Rock at 8:30 am. The destination took about 3 hours with a break in the middle of the trip. once we arrived Little Rock. we visited the Historic Central High School and we saw the place where the chaos goes on. After that, we went to the state Capital Building where we had a tour in the building with different rooms senates. We took a lot of photos in and out the building and also we took the famous half million dollars picture. Then, we checked in the hotel and we went to have the dinner at one of the famous restaurants there"The Flying Fish". The food was really delicious. After while, we went in a walk around the city and we were walking in the rain however the weather was too hot. We went to the hotel and we felt in a sleep. The next day, we visited the Clinton Museum and the Presidential library. We took a lot of photos and we so a lot of information about president Clinton, even the presidential secured car. Also, I saw some of the gifts from the Egyptian president Hosny Mubarak. The next stop was Heifer Organization. It is a non governmental organization that works in charity and helping people to go over poverty by learning to give. "passing the gift" is their slogan. We saw the exhibit, farms, and animals that they are working with. I appreciated them a lot. finally we took the bus again to Fayetteville. It was really a nice trip, full of information and I learned a lot form it.         

 

Campus Safety Briefing 👨‍✈️🚔🚨

Today we had a session on "Campus Safety". We had some souvenirs to corporal Porter and officer Arso. We had a lot of information about safety in the university and what we should do if we saw a crime, had an accident, being harassed by anyone. In addition, they gave us a lot of information about emergency cases and how we should act to them. We also talk about the difference between the police department in the USA and in Egypt.Officer Arso surprised us when he talked in Arabic as we knew later that he is from Iraq and he is working in university of Arkansas as an officer.Corporal Porter was really funny and we had so much fun with both of them. we had some pictures with them. finally we promised them that we are going to visit them later.   

The Fulbright Reception 🤵🍷🥂

Yesterday, We had a Fulbright Reception with University of Arkansas Chancellor, Faculty, Staff, and the Current Fulbright Scholars. Imagin that you are standing in a room with people from over 28 countries all over the world, What would you feel? They were talking in different languages, studying different majors. I met people from The USA, Egypt, Canada, Mexico, Zambia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Albania and different places all over the world. we listened to Chancellor who give us a short talk about the history of the Fulbright also, we listened to talks from the dean and the vice dean. about the relationship of the Fulbright and the other countries. I met my mentor Dr. Dennis Beck for the first time and we talk about my research, Egypt and some personal stuff. I met other mentors who are working with my colleagues. I met some other students from India and Saudi Arabia. we had drinks and snakes and of course some photos. I spent a nice time with all those people around me. I wish I could see them again.     

My First Bowling Game 🎳

Today, I went to the bowling game with my Egyptian colleagues, the Mexican team, the TEFLers and the pre-academic cohort. That is the first time in my life to go bowling alley. I used to watch it on the television, but that was the first time to play it. all that I know about the rules is to throw the ball to hit the bowling pins. the rules are really easy as the game itself. we were divided into three mixed groups and we played a game that lasted for 2 hours. I got the first place in the first game, but in the second game, I won. that was a really big surprise for me and all my team I have got many strikes that day. I was really happy and all my friends too. Outside the bowling alley, there were three graffitis. they were really awesome. we had a lot of pictures there. I wish to go there again.
      

Staybridge Suites a Place to Stay 💓😍👍

Before coming to Arkansas- the USA, University of Arkansas - the host university were really working hard to make us feel comfortable and happy. They have chosen Staybridge Suites a Place to stay and settle in. This place is really a quiet place. It is in the Bem stadium on Razorback Street. the green areas are surrounding. the bus stop is 2 minutes a walk. it is far from the University of Arkansas about 10 minutes by bust 30 minutes walk. everything is around and you can use the bus every 30 minutes. the Staybridge is a really good place to chill out. When you enter the lobby the staff is going to welcome you with their beautiful smiles and green t-shirts. the hotel has everything you will need. they have a lobby with a big TV., big dining room, a workspace, business area, a laundry, gym, pool, a garden and the wifi is all around. they serve daily breakfast from 6:30 to 9:30 and on weekends from 7:30 to 10:30. they also provide lunch from 5:30to 7:30 except on the weekends. the hotel rooms are very convenient and comfy. My room is divided into 5 parts. there is a kitchen with all the utilities: fridge, microwave oven, coffee machine, toaster and etc. A desk with all plugs and internet cables. then the living with a small sofa and a TV with cables. the bed is too soft and very comfortable and finally the bathroom. When I get into this room, I feel very cool and I really enjoy my stay here and I will advice people to visit Staybridge Suites.             

My First Flight 👀

My first flight, I have never been on a plane before. I have a lot of mixing feelings. It is a combination of worry, frightening, joy, and excitement. Also, it was the first time I leave my family for a long time. I drove to Cairo airport by midnight when I arrived, it was about 3:00 am. My flight takes off time is 4:25. I had to finish the checking in and the boarding but I do not know how. I started to ask the officers at the airport and they were very helpful. then I met my colleagues from the Fulbright program as we are all traveling together. we had a lot of pictures and then I started to feel calmer. we all prayed together then we took the plan to Frankfort, Germany. we had the Lufthansa airline. the feeling of the took off and landing was great and the flight attendants usually smile and very helpful. we had the breakfast then I looked form the window and saw the different places in Europe. once we arrived at the airport we had a one-hour transit which made us a little harry because we had a security check. After passing the security check we run to catch the flight which was Lufthansa also and we head to Huston, Texas. this flight was too long it took about 10 hours and that was too tiring. once we arrived texas all the Fulbright cohorts had to be divided and travel to their destination. we were supposed to take about 5 hours layover but unfortunately, we spend about 8 hours in the airport. we spend that time moving around and we had a lot of pictures. after that, we had our last flight to Arkansas airport. we spent about 90 minutes on this flight and we have reached about midnight. we were worried about how we will be picked up at the hotel where we will stay. but fortunately, the people here were very aware of our arrival we met with our staff Mekiya and Aditi. they were very friendly and they drove us to Staybridge suites where we will stay for the rest of the program. this was a great day. I think I will have never forgotten.