- Build Resilience: Empower children with the tools to develop resilience by forming meaningful relationships within their cultural community.
- Preserve Culture: Recognize the importance of language and culture in our identity, working actively to prevent their erosion.
- Build Community: Establish a platform for kids to engage with peers who share their heritage, fostering a strong and supportive community.
- Learn Joyfully: Utilize art, crafts, and enjoyable activities to make the exploration of culture a delightful and memorable experience for the children.
- Foster Belonging: Create a nurturing environment where elementary school kids feel a sense of belonging and connection.
We Hope To:
UPCOMING SHAMI KIDS ACTIVITIES
January 2025
Cooking Shami foods with Nadia Tommalieh
We will head over to the Pantry and cook up a storm with local reknowned chef, Nadia Tommalieh for this wonderful class:
Cooking With Kids: The Falafel Stand
-
- Palestinian-Style Hummus
- Falafel with Tarator Sauce
- Beef Shawarma
- Homemade Pita Bread
- Baklava
- GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://thepantryseattle.com/class/cooking-with-kids-the-falafel-stand
PAST SHAMI KIDS ACTIVITIES
October 2024
Sailing, Navigation and the Arab/Islamic World
- We will visit the Center for Wooden Boats and do a 2 1/2 hr workshop where we will make our own toy boats AND possibly go out on the water
- We will learn about how the Islamic/Arab World contributed to maritime science You can view the slide show here:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ss0nVGbyuILTC9oVvjDzIkD1JuXKasKs8FdOd-4W8tE/edit?usp=sharing
April 2024
Agriculture/Mesopotamia
We:
- learned about agricultural practices from Mesopotamia (where Iraq is today) 2000BC
- we watched a slideshow that had links to some fabulous videos and podcasts
- we listened to a short podcast about Mespotamia and did a matching crossword puzzle
- we visited a Palestinian-owned farm in Washington State
- we gathered chicken eggs
- we fed and pet the baby chicks
- we hung out with geese, turkeys and hens and gathered chicken eggs
- we hung out with sheep
- we found plants from the Levantine part of the world in the green house and around the farm!
- we ate lots of food including: kibbeh and Arabic salad, our foods that come from the land
- we ate the eggs we took home and they were delicious
January 2024
Zayt, Zaytoon, oo Za'atar
We:
- learned about the usefulness of olive trees and harvesting season
- we listened to “These Olive Trees” by Aya Ghanameh
- we painted pots
- we planted oregano and olives into our pots
- we learned the chorus of an olive harvest song “ala daloona”
Here’s a link to our slide show (with talking points and sources for materials)
Here’s a link to the planning/agenda document
The total cost was around $850 which we split amongst 15 families.
























