|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

|PROJECT DUE 10/17| Chinese Restaurant Outing

Due Date: Thursday, 10/17/2014
What: Take your Mandarin Immersion student out for dinner at an authentic Chinese restaurant.
Why: Your child will get to speak to the native speakers and possibly order a cup of tea for you.
And: Collect artifacts from the restaurant (menu, chopsticks...whatever) that exemplify the experience. Create a display using the cardboard trifold display (the stand along kind you can get at the Dollar Tree).

Can't wait to hear about it! Email me if you have any questions...comment any authentic Chinese on here or on our Mandarin K FB page.

|WATCH| Week of September 22-26, 2014

In language, we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar in Mandarin and did retelling by stuffing the fruits inside the caterpillar. The students are learning to combine simple color or number words and fruit names into simple phrases. For example, This is a red apple. I have four red strawberries. 

Most students could understand the context more than they may be able to verbalize, which is perfectly on target. I encourage you to remind your child to say their fruit names in Mandarin as well as practice counting. Counting backwards is also another important skill to have. 

On Friday, we officially began a new program called the "Mandarin Buddies". This is when the first grade and Kindergarten Mandarin students come together with a purpose.  We set norms for the activities and decided on the basic greetings that any beginner Mandarin student needs to learn. Both classes came up with four questions; How are you? What is your name? How old are you? What is your dad/mom's name?

So it goes like this, while the music is playing, the students were to roam around the classroom. When the music stops, each student was to find another child who is holding a different color cube( they were given two colors). It took some practice (as always) but seeing little teachers in action was truly amazing. 

At the end of the activity, first graders shared their thoughts...

Keeler: This activity made me happy because I was able to help.

Kodi: It made me happy because I learned their names.

Madison: I am happy because I had fun teaching the little kids.  

So, that is what this is all about. We had a purpose in mind, and they made it happen. Building confidence in learners one day at a time. 

Thank you Jamie for reading Rani with a Chance of Meatballs / It's the Great Pumpkin

      You may find the Five Finger Song in your child's Mandarin Journal.


Five and Six year olds stepping out of their comfort zone to speak and teach Mandarin to complete strangers! So far my Kinder class has only had 15 days of instruction.

Please continue to send in paper towels, thanks to those who have! 

Week of September 15-19, 2014

:: Project Alert :: A home project will be assigned at the end of this month or early October, get ready! You and your child will dine at an authentic Chinese restaurant while your child converse with the waiters/waitresses. To make the project more worthwhile, we will be practicing basic greetings and ways to order water and tea. The feedbacks from last year's families were positive, so I am excited to hear what's in store this year! 

Writing - The children continued working on an Opinion Piece. They copied the statement and illustrated. Next week, we will be brainstorming on why readers should eat certain vegetables or fruits. You will find their writing in English to be similar, that is because the teachers collaborate frequently to ensure understanding. 

Reading - It is important that your child is familiar with the Routine Phrases in their journal by now. I will continue to assess and provide one-on-one support during center. 

Math - Please review numbers in Mandarin (1 to 10) with your child. Encourage him to count objects (cars sitting in traffic, trees, crackers...etc) in Mandarin and perhaps even make words out of pretzel sticks. 

And as always, pack water bottle and fresh fruit/veggie daily! :)