|WATCH| Can you explain that?

One of the most important homework for children in Mandarin Kindergarten is to review nursery rhymes. It retains with them even though they don't necessary comprehend. I tell the parents that it is okay for them not to be able to translate or explain. Think about asking a one-year-old who sings Hickory Dickory Dock to explain herself what in the world she is singing...and you get a blank stare and maybe some drool. Some songs or poems are simply like nursery rhymes. They are catchy and fun to learn. Some words and phrases make sense to them especially the fruits and colors, but some don't necessary mean a thing. Below is a video clip of two of my students putting the puzzles of the poem 大拇哥 (Big Brother Thumb...told ya!) together then reading it afterwards. Enjoy!

|Newsletter| November, 2014

Week of October 27-31, 2014

Peace week was successful! Students were introduced to the meaning of bullying, heathy eating, and the importance of good reading habits. Asides from all the exciting programs, we continued on retelling in reading, learning to introduce self (name, age, favorite fruit, number of siblings), and comparing two/three dimensional shapes.

Shape book should remain in your child's reading bag. Please practice reading nightly. The video is posted HERE.

Parent teacher conference is coming up between 11/3-11/10. Click HERE if you are unsure of the time you signed up for. Be sure to arrive 10 minutes early as we are running a very tight schedule.  MAP test scores and portfolio will be shared during that time.

Book Character Day Class Picture

Book Characters

Mystery Reader

|WATCH| What is this shape?

Week of October 20-24, 2014

 

The children have been to the Mandarin class for twenty four days, so it is time for them to become fully immersed. The students are now required to not speak English in the Mandarin classroom. Lots of tools have been given and are utilized frequently to ensure familiarity and fluency. If you learned to speak a second language as a child, you know how essential it is to be immersed in the language. 

True story... Dr. Reese came into the classroom with a girl from the class looking for sticky notes while the class was out. She started asking if she knew where they were and she looked horrified "BU KE YI!!! (Don't!) Then she proceed to pull her outside to show her the sign on the door. She explained to her that we only speak Mandarin in the classroom, and that she has to step outside to speak English. 

"What is the Shape?"is a Mandarin book that your child made and it's in the Reading Bag. We have been working on it during Reader's Workshop, please continue to read nightly. I will post a video of there is any interest...leave a comment below. 

"Chinese Restaurant Project" 

The project is a huge success! Thank you for your time, effort, and support in completing the project with your child. The display in the hallway looks amazing and the children have been sharing their experiences with their friends in class. I would love to hear your side of the story, please comment below! How did the experience impact you? Any surprises? I know it could be a hit or miss with some restaurants as not every Chinese restaurant is staffed with native Chinese speakers. I encourage you to visit different ones and encourage your child to hold a conversation whenever a chance arises. 

Progress Report 

Don't forget to sign and return the progress report in your child's folder ASAP! 

Peace Week Reminder

Monday, October 27th- Healthy Community/Spirit wear to celebrate our unified school community.

School-wide anti-bullying assembly – eight of our very own 4th graders will be presenting an anti-bullying skit for the school. Fourth grade will also present a video for the school. Erin Beacham from the Anti-Defamation League will be coming to the assembly and will conclude our time with some large group anti-bullying activities.

Tuesday, October 28th – Healthy Community/Crazy sock and shoes day – to stomp out bullying from GLOBE. Please make sure your child’s shoes are safe and can be worn to PE. Clothing is wear what you want.

Wednesday, October 29th – Healthy Bodies/Wear what you want (just make sure it’s clean)! Dr. Reese and parent volunteers will be visiting classrooms and will be sharing good health/hygiene practices with the students.

Fourth graders will be learning how to be healthy/drug free youth.

Thursday, October 30th – Healthy Bodies/Sportswear – GLOBE staying active! Healthy Halls, a 45 minute theatrical presentation from CHOA, will be at school at 8:30 (K-1) and 9:30 (2-4) to talk with the students about staying healthy. Thank you, CHOA!

Friday, October 31st – Healthy Minds/Favorite Book Character. Children will bring their favorite book and dress like their favorite character. Children will discuss their characters in class.

Wish List

Amazon wish list has been update...check it out- http://amzn.com/w/3MKQG5OQDHEL3

Week of October 6-10, 2014

Math

We continued to explore shapes and reinforce their names this week. The students are learning names of shapes - Triangle, Square, Rectangle, Pentagon, Hexagon, and Circle. Students made group mobiles as well as individual ones to take home. During center, students built shapes using geo-boards, blocks, play-dough, and played interactive shape games on the iPads. 

Writing

We talked about ways to show respect in specials. Students brainstormed, illustrated, and copied words and phrases off the board. Students are reminded to use punctuation marks (for now just period) at the end of a statement. 

Reading

"Big Thumb" the poem was introduced this week. Please practice the poem at home using the video below and pay attention to the highlighted / high frequency words. 

 

Social Studies

Liu Ying Lao Shi introduced the Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Beijing, Taiwan, China, and the US. The students showed enthusiasm and were eager to learn more through pictures and videos. 

HOMEWORK reminder! Restaurant project due THIS Friday 10/17.

|Newsletter| October 2014