Teachers: Ariana Banks & Faith Whatley
[email protected]
[email protected]
With Love from Nashville to Pakistan!
Hello! My name is Ariana, and I am super excited to be one of your teachers! This is my first year in college, and I am studying Secondary Education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. I grew up in Northern California, which is very far away from where I am now. I don't mind too much, though, because Vanderbilt is great and there are lots of really nice people here (like my roommate Faith, who also happens to be your other teacher!) I love to read, sing, play guitar, laugh, and spend time with my family and friends. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you!
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Hey y'all! My name is Faith, and I am studying Cellular and Molecular Biology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. I am originally from Franklin, Tennessee, which is 30 minutes south of Nashville. I love to run and canoe, and my favorite thing to do on Saturdays is tailgate before watching college football games at the Vanderbilt stadium. I like to drink sweet tea and wear pearls, and you'll have to ask my awesome roommate and co-teacher, Ariana, about all the strange Southern phrases in my vocabulary. I absolutely love life in Nashville, and I can't wait to share what that is like with y'all. I knew ever since I was young that I wanted to go to college at Vanderbilt, but I had no idea that I would get to teach a group of ladies in Pakistan! I am so excited to get to know you this year!
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Our Girls
Sapna
Rabia Maryyam Maryam Igra Uzma Ambreen Mahreen |
Adina
Summan Anum Sidra Ana Duryab Ayman Saniha |
September 13
Hello everyone! We are so excited to meet all of you on Friday! This year, it doesn't look like we'll be able to share our screen with you over Skype, so you'll probably have to look at the PowerPoint beforehand. The PowerPoint for Friday's class is posted below, so please take a look at it when you get a chance. Thanks, and see you Friday!
lesson_1.pptx | |
File Size: | 1446 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Today we learned each others' names and talked about different hand gestures in our cultures. We got to learn about Eid-al-Fitr, and we shared about our families and our favorite foods. We also read a poem by Langston Hughes and talked about world leaders and world peace. There is no homework for this week. We had such a wonderful time meeting all of you! Looking forward to talking to you again next week.
September 20
lesson_2.pptx | |
File Size: | 5518 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
September 27
Today we talked about families. We learned about the different sizes of families, different pets, and about how birthdays are recognized in Pakistan and in America. We talked about earthquakes and world peace. Thank you for sharing your homework with us. It was wonderful to hear your ideas for world peace. Remember that the homework for next week is to write a paragraph about what you want your future family to look like. Thank you for talking to us. We will see you next week!
lesson_3_1.pptx | |
File Size: | 3979 kb |
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October 4
We had some technical difficulties today, but we still had fun making gestures for each other to see! Thank you for sharing your homework with us! We loved the different colors you used and your many details about your future families.
We had a lot of fun showing off our American dance moves for you, and we're glad you found them amusing! It was great to see your dance moves as well. You're all great dancers! We also showed each other pictures of brides from each of our countries, and noticed the different clothes that they typically wear.
For next week, your homework is to write an original song or choreograph 30 seconds to one of your favorite songs. Have fun with that! We won't see you next week because we will be gone on fall vacation, but we hope you have a good session with the substitute teacher! See you in 2 weeks!
We had a lot of fun showing off our American dance moves for you, and we're glad you found them amusing! It was great to see your dance moves as well. You're all great dancers! We also showed each other pictures of brides from each of our countries, and noticed the different clothes that they typically wear.
For next week, your homework is to write an original song or choreograph 30 seconds to one of your favorite songs. Have fun with that! We won't see you next week because we will be gone on fall vacation, but we hope you have a good session with the substitute teacher! See you in 2 weeks!
October 25
Today we talked about our vacations and watched your wonderful dance! Thank you so much for sharing your dancing skills with us, and for telling us about the different Bhangra dance moves. We also talked about marriage again, and found out that your weddings in Pakistan have many different ceremonies/festivals over many days. That is very different from here in the United States, where weddings take place on one day. Since we've talked about your future families before, this week we would like to know about your current families! For homework, please write about or draw a picture of your current family and what you did with your family over your Eid vacation. Have a great week, and we'll see you next Friday!
lesson_6.pptx | |
File Size: | 1370 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
November 1
Today, in the spirit of Halloween you guys scared me with your painted faces! Thank you all for sharing your homework about your families. I loved hearing about how many people your families have, and that you all love your families very much. For the lesson, we looked at unique buildings like the underwater hotel and sand castle hotel. Then we chatted about what you do like to do in your free time and what kind of job you want to have in the future. With the time we had left, you taught me a few words in your language! Thank you for teaching me, and I'm sorry for my bad pronunciation!
Homework: If you had to build one building to leave on this Earth in your memory, what would it look like? Would it be a statue of yourself? Would it look like something else? Draw a picture!
Thanks for an awesome class, and see you next week!
Homework: If you had to build one building to leave on this Earth in your memory, what would it look like? Would it be a statue of yourself? Would it look like something else? Draw a picture!
Thanks for an awesome class, and see you next week!
lesson_5_1.pptx | |
File Size: | 4024 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
November 8
Today we had a great time talking about the beautiful monuments you would build as your legacy on Earth. We would definitely want to visit all of them! We spent the rest of class talking about different foods that are native to American culture and to Pakistani culture. You all said that your favorite food is spicy rice, which Faith would really enjoy! Thank you for your enthusiasm, energy, and laughter. We really enjoyed this session and can't wait to see you all next week :)
You do not have any homework, but if you are inspired to bake or cook something in the next few days, we would love to hear about it next week!
You do not have any homework, but if you are inspired to bake or cook something in the next few days, we would love to hear about it next week!
lesson_10_-_recipes.pptx | |
File Size: | 5552 kb |
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January 17
We are so excited to be back with you all again! It was so fun to see everyone today. Thank you for sharing your New Year's goals with us, and for listening as we told you about our vacations and our New Year's resolutions.
Today's lesson was about the Winter Olympics that are taking place this year in Sochi, Russia. We learned that the first Pakistani person to participate in the Winter Olympics was Mohammad Abbas in 2010, and that there are 3 Pakistani skiers in the Olympics this year. Hopefully one of them can win a medal for Pakistan! Thank you for singing your national anthem for us, and for listening to ours.
There is no homework for you all this week, but you gave us some homework! We will sing and dance for you next week, so get excited for that!
Today's lesson was about the Winter Olympics that are taking place this year in Sochi, Russia. We learned that the first Pakistani person to participate in the Winter Olympics was Mohammad Abbas in 2010, and that there are 3 Pakistani skiers in the Olympics this year. Hopefully one of them can win a medal for Pakistan! Thank you for singing your national anthem for us, and for listening to ours.
There is no homework for you all this week, but you gave us some homework! We will sing and dance for you next week, so get excited for that!
January 24
This week we talked about inventions, and famous Pakistani inventors. You told us about your upcoming trip to Lahore, and we are so excited to see pictures and hear all about your trip!
We also sang and danced for you, at your request. The dance we did is called the Cotton Eyed Joe, and the song was "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. We are glad that you enjoyed our performance!
Your homework was to enjoy your trip and take pictures so we can see how much fun you're having! See you next week!
We also sang and danced for you, at your request. The dance we did is called the Cotton Eyed Joe, and the song was "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. We are glad that you enjoyed our performance!
Your homework was to enjoy your trip and take pictures so we can see how much fun you're having! See you next week!
January 31
We are very sorry that there were some technical difficulties with Skype today. Luckily, we still have Facebook chat, and were able to conduct class using that!
Today's topic was time travel. None of you think that time travel will ever be possible, which is understandable; it does sound like fiction! Some of you said that you'd want to go back and relive the happy times of your childhood. Others said that they would go back and change the bad parts about childhood, or change their nature to be more confident. Some of you wanted to go to the future to meet your future selves.
Today's topic was time travel. None of you think that time travel will ever be possible, which is understandable; it does sound like fiction! Some of you said that you'd want to go back and relive the happy times of your childhood. Others said that they would go back and change the bad parts about childhood, or change their nature to be more confident. Some of you wanted to go to the future to meet your future selves.
Here are some pictures from your trip to Lahore (Punjab, Pakistan). We heard that you got to visit historical places like Minar-e-Pakistan, Badshahi Mosque, Shalamar Bagh, traditional markets, and the Zoo. It is apparent from the pictures that you had a lot of fun. We wish we could have come with you on your trip!
Have a great week, and see you next Friday!
Have a great week, and see you next Friday!
February 7
Today Skype was working again, so we could actually see your beautiful faces! The topic of today's lesson was Superheroes. A lot of you said that if you had a superpower, it would be flying, and some of your favorite superheroes were Batman, Superman, and Spiderman. Thank you for sharing about the people in your life that have been heroes to you, like parents or teachers. We really loved hearing all the inspirational things these people have done for you!
There is no homework this week! Enjoy your weekend and we will see you next Friday!
There is no homework this week! Enjoy your weekend and we will see you next Friday!
February 14
Today there was no prepared lesson for us to teach from, so we talked about Valentine's Day at your suggestion! We looked up a little bit of the history, and told you stories about how we used to celebrate this "day of love" when we were in elementary school. Then we asked you about the holidays that you celebrate, and which ones are your favorite. Faith and I shared our favorite holidays, and explained about what Easter is and how it is celebrated. Then we talked about funerals for a while, but it was too sad so we started talking about birth celebrations!
We really enjoyed learning more about your culture, and we hope you enjoyed learning a little more about ours! Have a fantastic weekend and week, and we will see you next Friday!
We really enjoyed learning more about your culture, and we hope you enjoyed learning a little more about ours! Have a fantastic weekend and week, and we will see you next Friday!
February 21
Today we talked about culture, and you gave us some ideas how how you define "culture." We decided that culture is the the way that people live their lives, and all of their traditions and customs. Then, we talked about American culture and how it has evolved. We enjoyed talking about the 1920s, which were known as the Roaring Twenties, and how much of modern American culture came from radical changes at that time. We absolutely loved the song which you sang for us in your language of Urdu! It was beautiful! We love "love songs."
Next week we look forward to showing you some of the different ways American girls dress. Thank you so much for teaching us all about Pakistani culture! We love learning from you all. Have a great weekend and we will see you next Friday!
Next week we look forward to showing you some of the different ways American girls dress. Thank you so much for teaching us all about Pakistani culture! We love learning from you all. Have a great weekend and we will see you next Friday!
culture.pptx | |
File Size: | 5386 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
February 28
Today you shared about the trips you took this past week, and the trips you are going to take soon! We are also going to take a trip; we're going to California, which is where Ariana is from. We will show you pictures from our trip when we see you in 2 weeks!
The lesson for today was about community. You shared about how community is important because humans are not meant to live alone, and that community can help everyone and protect everyone. We all shared that we are a part of many different communities.
Your homework is to draw a picture of yourself in a community, and write a sentence explaining what community means to you. We will not see you next week, but we are looking forward to seeing you the week after that!
The lesson for today was about community. You shared about how community is important because humans are not meant to live alone, and that community can help everyone and protect everyone. We all shared that we are a part of many different communities.
Your homework is to draw a picture of yourself in a community, and write a sentence explaining what community means to you. We will not see you next week, but we are looking forward to seeing you the week after that!
March 14
Today we shared with you about our trip to California (the new picture at the top of the page is from when we went hiking in a redwood forest), and we showed you some pictures of us at Disneyland and at the beach! Then you all shared your homework with us, so we could learn about why your communities of friends, family, and education are important to you.
Our lesson was about different types of clothing that our different cultures wear. We described to you and showed you some pictures of what people wear every day (casual clothing), what they wear to work, to formals, to sleep, and to a wedding. Then you told us about the clothes that you wear for all of those occasions, and explained to us about how you wear your headscarves. Thanks for sharing about that, we really enjoyed learning about that part of your culture!
Your homework is to choose an event or holiday in Pakistan and to write a few sentences describing how people dress and what they do during the celebration. Feel free to draw pictures as well. Have a fantastic week, and we'll see you next Friday!
Our lesson was about different types of clothing that our different cultures wear. We described to you and showed you some pictures of what people wear every day (casual clothing), what they wear to work, to formals, to sleep, and to a wedding. Then you told us about the clothes that you wear for all of those occasions, and explained to us about how you wear your headscarves. Thanks for sharing about that, we really enjoyed learning about that part of your culture!
Your homework is to choose an event or holiday in Pakistan and to write a few sentences describing how people dress and what they do during the celebration. Feel free to draw pictures as well. Have a fantastic week, and we'll see you next Friday!
clothing.pptx | |
File Size: | 1302 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
March 21
Our lesson was about our favorite things, inspired by the song "My Favorite Things" from the musical The Sound of Music. We sang the song for you and explained the general plot from the movie. If you girls ever get a chance, you should definitely watch it! It's one of our favorites :)
March 28
At the beginning of our time today, we shared about our weeks. Regretfully, Faith was very out of it and we let her sleep. She feels much better after a good night of sleep! Then you shared your homework and told me all about your favorite things.
Our lesson was about Geographical Zones. We talked about the desert, the jungle, and the mountains. You told me that Pakistan has all three zones, which is unique and interesting. I know you haven't visited all of them, but hopefully you will get the chance someday!
Your homework is to answer the question: If you could live in any geographic setting, what would it be and why? Feel free to draw a picture if you would like!
Our lesson was about Geographical Zones. We talked about the desert, the jungle, and the mountains. You told me that Pakistan has all three zones, which is unique and interesting. I know you haven't visited all of them, but hopefully you will get the chance someday!
Your homework is to answer the question: If you could live in any geographic setting, what would it be and why? Feel free to draw a picture if you would like!
April 4
Today we exchanged our usual pleasantries about our past weeks - we told you about the formal dance we went to, and you told us about how you lost your cricket match :( Hopefully you will do better next time!
Then you shared your homework, telling us what landscape you want to live in. You covered many different landscapes, with about half of you wanting to live alone and half wanting to live amongst family and/or friends.
Our lesson was about optical illusions! We started out by talking about perspectives, and then looked at a couple examples of optical illusions. It was interesting that some of us saw one image immediately, while others saw another (seeing the vase instead of the faces or vice versa). We hope you had as much fun looking at those as we did!
For homework, Draw a picture but HIDE something in the picture. Next week when we share homework, we will try to find what you hid in the picture! Have a great week and see you next Friday!
Then you shared your homework, telling us what landscape you want to live in. You covered many different landscapes, with about half of you wanting to live alone and half wanting to live amongst family and/or friends.
Our lesson was about optical illusions! We started out by talking about perspectives, and then looked at a couple examples of optical illusions. It was interesting that some of us saw one image immediately, while others saw another (seeing the vase instead of the faces or vice versa). We hope you had as much fun looking at those as we did!
For homework, Draw a picture but HIDE something in the picture. Next week when we share homework, we will try to find what you hid in the picture! Have a great week and see you next Friday!
April 11
Today we started out by telling you about our weekend, which involved going to see a show, and you shared with us that you're going on a field trip tomorrow! We hope you have lots of fun and take lots of pictures!
Thank you for sharing your homework with us! You all did a fantastic job of drawing a picture with something hidden inside of it, or drawing an optical illusion. You were all so creative! Keep up the good work.
Our lesson for today was about American Tall Tales, which are legends about imagined or exaggerated things made up in the 1800s. We read you the story of Johnny Appleseed, a man who went all around the country planting apple seeds that grew into apple orchards. We also told you about another famous American Tall Tale called Paul Bunyan, a giant who has a big blue ox.
For homework, think of a folktale or legend from your own country. Write a paragraph summarizing it, and be prepared to share it with us next week. Try to keep it as short as possible to make sure we will have enough time to listen to everyone's summary! Thanks for another great session, and see you next Friday!
Thank you for sharing your homework with us! You all did a fantastic job of drawing a picture with something hidden inside of it, or drawing an optical illusion. You were all so creative! Keep up the good work.
Our lesson for today was about American Tall Tales, which are legends about imagined or exaggerated things made up in the 1800s. We read you the story of Johnny Appleseed, a man who went all around the country planting apple seeds that grew into apple orchards. We also told you about another famous American Tall Tale called Paul Bunyan, a giant who has a big blue ox.
For homework, think of a folktale or legend from your own country. Write a paragraph summarizing it, and be prepared to share it with us next week. Try to keep it as short as possible to make sure we will have enough time to listen to everyone's summary! Thanks for another great session, and see you next Friday!
April 18
We started out by sharing about our weekends, and you told us about how much fun you had on your trip! Then everyone shared their homework by reading us the folktales and legends that you wrote about. We loved hearing all the different stories! They had such good morals and it was cool to know what kinds of things you guys grew up hearing.
Since this was the last class, we didn't have a lesson, but instead asked you guys what you wanted to talk about, and if you had any questions for us. We ended up just chatting, and finally found out why you don't use your real names on Facebook! Now that we know that Aggressive Girl and Impressive Girl are actually two of you and not random creepers, we are very glad to be Facebook friends with you. As for the rest of the class, please send us a friend request and a personal message with your real name! We would love to keep in touch with you through the Internet.
It has been such a pleasure talking with you girls every week for the past school year! Even though we had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, every second was completely worth it. Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, hard work, creativity, and eagerness to learn about America and share with us about Pakistan. We will miss you a lot! Best of luck to all of you in school and in life.
Love,
Ariana and Faith :)
Since this was the last class, we didn't have a lesson, but instead asked you guys what you wanted to talk about, and if you had any questions for us. We ended up just chatting, and finally found out why you don't use your real names on Facebook! Now that we know that Aggressive Girl and Impressive Girl are actually two of you and not random creepers, we are very glad to be Facebook friends with you. As for the rest of the class, please send us a friend request and a personal message with your real name! We would love to keep in touch with you through the Internet.
It has been such a pleasure talking with you girls every week for the past school year! Even though we had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, every second was completely worth it. Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, hard work, creativity, and eagerness to learn about America and share with us about Pakistan. We will miss you a lot! Best of luck to all of you in school and in life.
Love,
Ariana and Faith :)