Dear children,
I had a great year with you in grade 2.
I will miss you all greatly, but you will be with me wherever I am.
William: Our handsome and sensitive boy, we have missed you a lot. All the best in your new school.
Taj: You are a great speaker. I am so proud of how you've come to speak up and share your mind.
Issam, Daniel, Seif, Yacoub and Rami: Keep smiling and keep the friendships going :). You know how, right? Good things are 'worth the effort'. Remember that sometimes it is important to 'explain', even when your intentions are good and 'you' do not believe you did anything wrong.
Yacoub, I remember you on the bus to the Shouf Reserve, the reflective thinker. Keep going.
Daniel, plug your guitar and play and do not let anyone stop you.
Rami, when can we hike together?
Seif, the cookies you baked for the last day were so yummy! Now you have to send the recipe: In English!
Issam: Will I see you in any 'major' performance anytime soon?
Sam: You know that 'Newspapers will definitely write about you one day'. Keep that T-shirt just as a souvenire. And keep listening to what this beautiful mind of yours tells you and what your heart feels. No matter what, even when the whole world is going wrong; you are right!
Tamara: My beautiful Ms. Chebaklo, I loved watching you learn and grow. In my mind, there's a book of memories on my special Tamara (or is it Tamra? ) Just kidding.
Michelle: You've been a wonderful example of how children can be strong and helpful when needed. Love to you and to your brother.
Dana: The responsible Dana. Ms. 'flutter by'. Always reaching out to help and sensing what you want before you ask for it. You proved to be a wonderful dancer.
Mariam: Mariam, the great thinker who loves to make connections. My mind is filled with images, colors, symbols and actions when I think of you and how you showed your learning throughout the year. I wish you will always feel 'safe' wherever you go.
Adnan: So good to have such a serious and determined boy. A friend to rely on.
Karen: Your thoughts are as beautiful as the notes you play on the piano.
Tamara O: Loved to see you laugh, grow and speak your mind. Just like Sam, I wish you believe in the principles you set for yourself even when they are challenged, even when things don't seem right.
Tala: You've been a wonderful member of a group of learners. What a great friend to the environment. Keep planting, smiling and growing.
Marya: At the beginning of the year, you were adamant to show me what a great reader you are. That was not so hard: You are that and much more. Mozart would've definitely wanted to be friends with you, all dressed up for the Opera during the Talent Show- singing and playing the piano.
Maher: Van Gogh would've been not so miserable had he been alive today, to see how enthusiastic and creative you've grown towards the Arts...but not Mr. Da Vinci with your 'Fata Lisa'. To me, you are far better than 'Mika'! Thanks for the song.
Jad: I still remember your interview with your dad's friend in grade 1. What a communicator you've grown to be and what a confident dabke'dancer. Love you and your curly hair.
Isabella: When you smile, everything around lights up! I will miss your stories little girl and that tiny hand of yours. Keep smiling.
Layla: The calm and quiet who loves nature. I loved having you for two years and enjoyed how confident you've become as a speaker and learner.
Samaya: The year ended with both of us being proud of : You! :)
Hiba: Always ahead; ahead of everyone and everything. Just like a shooting star.
Skye: Is it that you were named after the island or is it that the island was named after you? I remember your calling me 'Daddy' by mistake and us laughing about it. I wish you always be surrounded by people who deserve and appreciate you.
Shafik: I can still see you acting in the 'Great Kapok Tree'. You are a risk taker Shafik, always making effort and trying even when things seem difficult. Keep going Shafik, you'll surely make it.
Yacoub Haddad: The confident narrator. Your skill in estimation was greatly appreciated during the 'garage sale'. Are you still planning to rent rooms in your big house in Baabdat? Is it really safe in Erbil?? I enjoyed watching you mingle with others and make friends along the year.

You all have been special to me, each in her and his own way. Remember our 'heart to heart' talk and always be true to who you are.

I love you all very much and will come back to see you very soon.
Nora

Last Day of School

Mariam's Reflection on Picasso

Talent Show- The Performance

The children had a good time expressing themselves on stage during the Talent Show.

The skits were interesting and funny, the dances and ball tricks were creative and the piano performances were beautiful and well chosen.

Express Yourself, Liberate Yourself

The children had an interesting discussion with Ms. Roula who visited our class today. Ms. Roula shared a pop-up book with the children as well as a slideshow presentation of Women's Portraits in the history of paintings.

The children enjoyed gaining more perspective on what it means to be an artist and how people express their uniqueness.

Thank you Ms. Roula for your visit! It was great!

Talent Show

Although it's the end of the school year, but it does not feel so. The children are so engaged in the learning experiences and are so excited to present in the end of unit celebration.


As children are learning about artists and different ways people express their uniqueness, they have decided to express themselves and to have our end of year celebration as a Talent Show.

The program will include groups of children as well as individuals expressing themselves through music, movement, words and through arts.

The celebration will take place in Issam Faress Hall on Thursday, June 24th at 11:00 a.m.

This event is prepared solely by the children. Parents are welcome to attend.

How we express ourselves

Dear parents,

We have started our new Unit of Inquiry (UOI). The children are inquiring into the different ways people express themselves to show their uniqueness.

Today the children were involved in creating many questions regarding arts, movement, music, etc.

Please check our latest newsletter. We appreciate your sending any resources you may have that you feel are related to our inquiry.

Central Idea:

Music, words, movement and colors can be used to express emotions and
uniqueness.

Inquiry Into:

*The diverse ways in which artists express themselves
*How artists develop their talents
*How we can express our uniqueness through literature, visual Arts, music, drama, and dance.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/32757151/How-We-Express-Ourselves-New-1

Lebanese Food Tasting

Lebanese food was among the things that we explored in our unit 'Discover Lebanon'. The children created a list of food that they liked to explore and try. We had a week full of Lebanese appetizers, main dishes and desserts. After eating, the children would describe the food using the visible thinking routine of creating a 'headline'for it. Many children tasted certain food for the first time and many parents reported having their children ask for Lebanese meals after they've tried them out in class.
















Mr. Duff, a visitor from Geneva International School, stayed in our class a 'little while' longer for the Kanafe'tasting.

Grade 2's Trip to the Chouf Mountains

May 7th was a very exciting day for children in grade 2. As part of the theme Where we are in time and place and our unit ‘Discover Lebanon’, the children went on a field trip in the Chouf mountains.

Before the trip the children inquired into the characteristics of Lebanese mountains, rivers and important touristic sites. For their trip, they created rubrics to guide them to explore the route of the trip from the coast up to the mountains. On the way, children observed and recorded their observations of the coast, the banana plantations, signage of towns and villages, the mountains, the flowers, houses, etc.
Our first stop in Deir el Qamar was an apportunity for children to learn about the 'city of princes' and observe the traditional Lebanese houses.
In Moussa castle, the children observed scenes created from wax that reflected some of the traditional heritage, such as gathering the 'mouneh' and 'sandouk el Firjeh'.
At the Chouf reserve, the children appreciated the 'majestic cedars'. They stopped at the oldest tree in the forest that is over 2000 years old. They walked in the forest and asked the guide questions about the reserve and its inhabitants. They learned more about the cedars of Lebanon, why they are called 'Arz el Rab' and promised to come back and plant cedars that carry their names into eternity.
In Beitteddine, the children observed the old baths, the mosaics, they also visited the stables and took a walk in the gardens. They learned more about prince Bashir and appreciated the designs of the rooms, the furniture and Napolion's Chandelier's gift to Mir Bashir.
On they way back, the children expressed their appreciation of the places they've been to. To them, it was 'the BEST TRIP EVER!'