Connecting Classroom Cluster Visit

I have never thought that I would get the chance to visit my partner school again... Not for the 4th time.  .   This visit was special, I got to see how they have changed and moved on to be leaders in international and national work among other primary schools.  My days there were well organized, I had better chance to teach and interact in more classes. (Part of my schedule)  During the assembly, I showed everyone pictures and videos about my school focusing on how similar our students can be. Taking everyone during the end of day assembly on a tour at our school ( pictures and videos) I taught written and spoken Arabic to years 6,5,4,and 3. They were really excited to be speaking a foreign language so well and write their names so perfectly. (After some of my arabic classes)  Next I read a famous real lebanese story (The fool of Chanay) that highlights the importance of collaboration and acceptance to years 3 and 4, and then did some art

Leading  a cluster of 7 helped to spread the word out. Seeing the reactions to the small details and the excitement to bring back changes to the schools in lebanon reminded me of my first visit to my partner school.  Having them take part of cluster activities may have put them at ease and guided them step by step, it helped them to visualize a means to get an outcome. However, this visit boosted them more. They started preparing for their own individual activities and made them ready to become agents of change. That butterfly that flapped its wings 7 years ago got its ripple effect today with more schools ready for change. After this visit, I can say this cluster is full of potential. We have lots of ideas to get back with and lots of wings flapping for change. 

A whole week at Lincolnshire schools... a whole new experience that could nurture the passion engraved in the “ Teacher in Me”. Visiting 7 different schools at the beginning of our week provided us with the whole picture about teaching and learning in UK. However, two days well spent in our partner school, giving classes and attending others, , chatting with teachers and interacting with students were able to transform the experience into an unforgettable and valued one. This visit opened my eye on the “how” to create a positive environment for the wellbeing of the students and teachers. Even we as visitors felt and lived those positive vibes which embraced all school members and made them feel at home rather than at school. For example, the general assembly at the beginning of the week made us feel the closeness of the HeadTeacher to the students, he/she addressed every student by his/her names and asked them about what they have done over the weekend, or even highlighted with

We had an exciting week . The visit to the Schools in UK affected us positively. It was an opportunity to meet headteachers who facilitated our visit and teachers who shared us their experience .It was great to meet lovely kids who were eager to learn some words and letters in Arabic.They were curious .They asked lots of questions about our country. It was an opportunity to practice a learning session in my partner school and to bring back letters from year 5 in Uk to grade 5 in my school .It was impressive to have an Arabic signature in one of those  letters .  We look forward to having the reciprocal visit.My student will be excited to write back to their penpals and to share more activities. Tharwat Fawaz

Special kids are all around this school. They're so special that they ask me to stay and work at their school and they even offer me a place to stay!! The family environment can be felt every moment. The students act as if they are at home following all the instructions fully and efficiently. The teachers also are quite aware about how treat every single one of them. It is a special place where a visit to Lincoln can be ended.

A welcoming partner makes everything much easier. What if you have a welcoming partner along with smart students and cooperative teachers? We learnt a lot about each others' cultures through board games, treasure hunt, a lot of chats and of course dancing dabke. Many students even want to visit Lebanon after doing all these activities.

Give a person a book and he/she can conquer the world. Reading corners are richly decorated and encouragingly used in all the schools that we have already visited. I -- as an adult -- felt that these corners are sanctuaries that can transport anyone to a safe world.

As the clock ticks marking the end of a week full of educational and cultural exchange, it is really hard not to get emotional about the details that summed up our visit and touched deeply our souls.  During the assembly at the end of the day, the students wanted to perform again the Lebanese traditional dance in front of all school members. I got very excited to perform this dance with them again!  However, something very special happened afterwards. The HeadTeacher’s way of expressing their thanks to us and the students’ work submitted to us as souvenirs were something I would never ever forget. Every class we visited to delivered an activity or presentation, handed us a booklet of their own reflections about what they have learned decorated with our photos with them.  Class three scrap book made me hold back my tears of joy while embracing the feelings of appreciation for the international collaboration that British Council has offered us and Ministry of Education in Leb