Nancy+Assad+Journal+3

Journal Entry #3: Winter Party   As we neared the winter break and knew that we would not being seeing our students for approximately a month since we would all be abroad, we decided to throw a winter party as our last class before the break. As soon as we got permission from our supervisor to throw the party we began planning. Preparing for the party, we went and bought supplies such as decorations, games (balls, etc.), and some snacks and drinks for this festive party that we had planned. On the day of the party we came a bit early to set up the area for the party before the kids came. Be brought speakers as well so that we could play games. Because the party was a surprise, when the kids showed up for class they were all surprised and asked us what was going on. We told them that today was going to be all fun, as one must work hard AND play hard. We began by playing some musical chairs, which the kids found very entertaining. After that, the boys asked some of us to play football with them. As I played football with them, I decided that we needed to get them a new football when we got back from winter break. While Farida and I played football with the boys, Layan and Kholood took the girls in for drawing and coloring. Next, we all joined together once again, broke out the snacks, and told stories to each other. At first, I thought that we would be the ones that would be telling the stories, however after we told one they seemed to had taken over and were telling us the funniest stories. This bonding time was truly insightful as as these kids told stories I realized that we aren't really that different from each other. Kids are kids. Although we are all individuals and have different characters, we all generally want all the same things. We played several more games and snacked om food and drinks until we had to leave. We said good-bye to all the kids and told them we wouldn't be seeing them for a month because of holidays. After a big group hug, we all dispersed and the girls and I left. Although we didn't teach the kids anything academically today, I think that it was still an important experience for them that opened them up to us and made them more confident around us, which in turn will contribute to a better learning environment for them in which they will blossom.