Increase mutual understanding between U.S. and exchange teachers schools and communities

Ms. Hamed will organize activities at Highland Middle School around the story of Aladdin using a comparison of eastern and western interpretations in order to build cultural awareness and mutual understanding. As part of the activities she will lead a field trip for students to the Broadway show of Aladdin in New York City. After watching this interpretation of the story, students will watch a movie representing the eastern version of the story. Students will write a review on the show and movie both in Arabic and in English.

Mr. El-Dwiny, along with the faculty and staff at John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, will host an international festival with an emphasis on the Arabic world. Mr. El-Dwiny plans for the festival to provide cross-cultural outreach to students, parents, the community, principals from other schools and local media. He and his students will organize exhibitions on Arabic culture and history, a fashion show of Arabic clothes, music, and videos showing Arabic and Middle East culture.

Mr. Ali developed an American Cultural Club at Gharbiya STEM School in Tanta, Egypt. This project included various activities, experiential learning and direct interaction that motivated and inspire students in their English learning. The CLP funding was used to bring the American English and culture to Egyptian students. The club was one of a kind in Tanta, Egypt. The American Cultural Club strives to reinforce tolerance for all people within the community and school.

TCLP mentor teacher Deborah Page and exchange teacher Gu Wenming will organize a celebration of the Spring Festival at Captain Nathan Hale Middle School. The event will involve students in Mr. Gu’s Mandarin classes, students who participate in the Chinese Enrichment Club, and other students in related arts classes and culinary clases. Students from the nearby High School and pre-school will all be invited to attend. The event will focus on Chinese culture and language and students will take part in Chinese songs, dances, and performances.

Ms. Ji, along with her colleagues, will organize a Chinese Spring Festival Celebration Event for Naselle-Grays River Valley School’s Mandarin Immersion Program. The celebration looks to generate even greater interest in the program from students and parents. During the event, guests will try Chinese arts, traditional performances, eat authentic Chinese food and take part in additional cultural activities. As part of the project, Ms.

Xia Zhi, former TCLP Teacher, was awarded a CLP grant to support an immersive exploration of Chinese history and language with his students. Xia Zhi decided to set up this project with his students to focus on the name “China” and delve into the origin of this and other Chinese words. The students did research, interviewed experts, and proved the result of the research. Xia Zhi and his students used the research to develop a book for the school's library. Students learned how to conduct research, assess the outcome of the research, cooperate, and communicate with other people.

Gu Zhen, Current TCLP Teacher, will hold a Chinese language and learning festival at her host school Wright Elementary. The purpose of this project is to engage every student in Chinese culture. Every class will perform on stage and further participate in several cultural activities. There will be Chinese culture display at the school that will include posters on topics such as cuisine, festivals, costumes, movies, traditions, and places of interest. The introduction of culture through posters will be followed by a school and community wide celebration.

Amany Kasab, current TCLP Exchange Teacher, was awarded a CLP grant to support her efforts organizing a double field trip in New York for her U.S. students and in Cairo for her Egyptian students. Students in New York will visit the Metropolitan Museum and will have a traditional Egyptian lunch in an Egyptian restaurant. Students will explore ancient Egyptian culture and practice conversational Arabic in real life situations. Students in Egypt will visit the Egyptian Museum and interact with tourists in English.