We kicked off the day with the "English Event". As previously mentioned, MEET is an English-only program. This is to provide a common ground for all students, whether their native language is Hebrew or Arabic. During the first few days, students receive warnings, but starting after the English Event, the warnings accumulate into actual consequences. The harshest consequence is removal from the program, and occurs on the 4th incident. We gathered into our temporary recitation groups, and I had each of my students go around and say what respect meant to them. These kids have a lot more depth than they let on, and it's both remarkable and refreshing.
After the English Event, Alice gave the week's review lecture. We stalled for time towards the end to allow Ted and Froy to complete the necessary work on the Mini-Project (more on that in a bit.) Then, we split into recitation groups to review more thoroughly. Again, I cannot stress how much I enjoy teaching these kids. They're eager, and with enough encouragement, they are uninhibited about coming to the board.
The kids then completed a survey in the Sprinzak computer labs, the last time they will ever be using these facilities. Post-survey, we all tossed around a (American) football in the grassy area outside. Most of the kids had never thrown a football before, which put everybody on an even playing field. Ron was a natural, despite having broken his glasses the previous day and being a lefty. He was sailing perfectly beautiful spirals for long distances. Natural QB.
A Few Pictures of the Kids
Dor (check out that red hair!!!!)
Or
Maytal
Ranan
Roni
Dor (check out that red hair!!!!)
Or
Maytal
Ranan
(I'll try to put all of my 40 kids up here at least once!)
During lunch, I was asked by two different women about the MEET program. One had very terrible English, and was just excited. The other spoke fluent English and asked about some details, as we stood off to the side while her son talked to one of the kids he knew. I explained that it was a three year program, and the students in front of her were in their first year, and were 15 years old. She asked whether they were from America, and I responded in the negative, saying they were from several cities in the area. "Oh, so they're Israeli?" she said. "Well, half of them are Israeli. And half Palestinian." I responded. "Oh, you mean Israeli Arabs," she corrected. "No, not Israeli Arabs. Palestinians." She gave me a confused look, and she didn't ask anymore questions after that. Smile. Small steps.
During lunch, I was asked by two different women about the MEET program. One had very terrible English, and was just excited. The other spoke fluent English and asked about some details, as we stood off to the side while her son talked to one of the kids he knew. I explained that it was a three year program, and the students in front of her were in their first year, and were 15 years old. She asked whether they were from America, and I responded in the negative, saying they were from several cities in the area. "Oh, so they're Israeli?" she said. "Well, half of them are Israeli. And half Palestinian." I responded. "Oh, you mean Israeli Arabs," she corrected. "No, not Israeli Arabs. Palestinians." She gave me a confused look, and she didn't ask anymore questions after that. Smile. Small steps.
Following lunch, there was some mini-project awesomeness in the basement of the Ross building. Ted and Froy spent many many sleepless hours putting together the project and the four CAD classes for the students: Canvas, Rectangle, Triangle, and Circle. The kids got to create colorful objects and put them on a canvas. They had a ball with it. I took lots of pictures with kids struggling with oh-so-difficult Java.
And I took lots of pictures with the kids and their canvases.
The ridiculous thing is that all of this was accomplished in really cramped conditions. All 40 kids piled into a single room, and were squished together in close contact. We had to play a bit of musical chairs, and shift some of the computers in order to fit everyone in as best we could. However, despite our greatest attempts, we couldn't overcome the fact that we had 40 kids, but only 36 chairs. Of course, one of which was a bench that we put 3 kids on, so only 2 kids were missing chairs.
Sagy, Dasha, and Fadi on a bench
Nir, Mustafa, Pablo, and Jon-the-Stalker
Salam and Liel
Noura and Omer
Noura and Omer
And I took lots of pictures with the kids and their canvases.
Michael and Nadine
Or and Tamer
Tracy and Yarden
Or and Tamer
Tracy and Yarden
The ridiculous thing is that all of this was accomplished in really cramped conditions. All 40 kids piled into a single room, and were squished together in close contact. We had to play a bit of musical chairs, and shift some of the computers in order to fit everyone in as best we could. However, despite our greatest attempts, we couldn't overcome the fact that we had 40 kids, but only 36 chairs. Of course, one of which was a bench that we put 3 kids on, so only 2 kids were missing chairs.
We made due with what we had, both by using tables...
Roni
And by sharing seats...
Nir, Mustafa, Pablo, and Lina
Interestingly enough, we didn't ask Mustafa and Pablo to share a chair. They just kind of did it, and when I offered to go on an expedition to find another chair, they said they didn't mind. So, that's how they did the lab.
Here's a great picture of Froy explaining teamwork. Rawan wasn't into the idea of partners, and Froy was explaining how one brain is great, but two brains are much more powerful. You can tell that Rawan is smiling at the end.
Rawan and Froy
And of course, my favorite moment from lab, courtesy of these two crazy chicks.
Here's a great picture of Froy explaining teamwork. Rawan wasn't into the idea of partners, and Froy was explaining how one brain is great, but two brains are much more powerful. You can tell that Rawan is smiling at the end.
Rawan and Froy
And of course, my favorite moment from lab, courtesy of these two crazy chicks.
Aalaa and Aviv
Aviv: Who wrote this lab?
Me: Ted.
Aalaa: See, I knew it!
Me: How did you know? Aalaa: There's no pink. Aviv: We want pink!! Me: Well, maybe you can ask Ted for pink... They did ask Ted for pink, and Ted, being the lady's man that he is, rewrote the class to include the most ridiculously girly shade of pink possible.
Aalaa and Aviv were quite pleased. Check out that pink square!
After lab, we gathered in front of Sprinzak for an end-of-the-week wrap up session. And, what better way to end the first week than with a massive group picture?! So many freaking kids, so few of us.
Back at the flat, I ate some leftovers, and then walked around the neighborhood briefly with Mike. I still need to have a photography day where I just walk around and take some truly meaningful photographs, but I managed at least a few nice ones today.
Next Post: That Time We Went to Jaffa and Tel Aviv, and Maybe I Also Bought a Swimsuit.
Me: Ted.
Aalaa: See, I knew it!
Me: How did you know? Aalaa: There's no pink. Aviv: We want pink!! Me: Well, maybe you can ask Ted for pink... They did ask Ted for pink, and Ted, being the lady's man that he is, rewrote the class to include the most ridiculously girly shade of pink possible.
Aalaa and Aviv were quite pleased. Check out that pink square!
After lab, we gathered in front of Sprinzak for an end-of-the-week wrap up session. And, what better way to end the first week than with a massive group picture?! So many freaking kids, so few of us.
Back at the flat, I ate some leftovers, and then walked around the neighborhood briefly with Mike. I still need to have a photography day where I just walk around and take some truly meaningful photographs, but I managed at least a few nice ones today.
Next Post: That Time We Went to Jaffa and Tel Aviv, and Maybe I Also Bought a Swimsuit.
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