|Project Due| Lion Head

Thank you for the parents who are volunteering to help with the Chinese New Year celebration. We have had a good turn-out so far and the students have been practicing their songs and dances with Ms. Mashburn. The media is suppose to be there on Friday(2/20), too! 

The students last year did a phenomenal job parading in their lion heads, so we are going to continue the tradition this year. 

See the photo above and here is what you have to do:

1. Find a box that isn't too big or too small for your child's head 

2. Cut a piece of square out so your child's face can show.

3. Add the tongue using the square that you just cut out. 

4. Add eyes (paper plates are good options) 

5. Be creative with your lion! 

The project is due Tuesday, 2/17

(Due to our lack of space, please do not turn in early!) 

|WATCH| 天氣 | 小白兔

Below are three Shared Reading we have been doing in class. It is recommended that your child practices these at home on School Nights. (Journals are kept in the classroom over the weekend)

|WATCH| Week of January 12-16, 2015

Thank you to the parents who sent in paper towels and glue sticks, if you are still looking for ways to help, my Amazon wish list has been updated. You may also sign up to be a Mystery Reader HERE. Super fun and the kids are always proud and excited when their parents show up! You CAN read English books in my room, in case anyone is wondering.

MATH
The students continued to compare length, weight, and capacity using different measuring attributes. We compared objects' length by lining them up from the tip point. We also measured length using snap cubes and ruler. Take some time this weekend to go over the math activity sheet in your child's folder and review by measuring the stuff animals or family pets.

LANGUAGE
We introduced winter clothing and how to tell someone when I am cold! In centers, we played Where is the Elephant game to reinforce sight words. Recognizing Mandarin words by sight is a must to become readers. Since Mandarin words are not phonetic, rather pictorial, you have to learn each word independently to become fluent. Luckily words are grouped by radicals, so it does get easier down the road. I am very pleased with the progress our children have made in such short amount of time. The foundation in learning anything is essential, so it is important we build the skills steady. At this stage, all I really focus on is building their confidence. Lots of encouragement during one-on-one has been helpful.

I write, You guess!

The students were given four pieces of yarn and four numbers, then they had to figure out as a group what to do with them. 

They decided to line them up and order from shortest to longest.

How tall are we? Next week, we will be measuring and comparing height using different tools. 

Proud bunch! 

|WATCH| Mid-Year Chinese Performance

Thank you for all the parents for celebrating all the hard work the children and teachers have put in thus far! Can't wait to see what is in store for everyone in the second semester!

|WATCH| Week of January 6-9, 2015

Enjoy of the video of three students working together to figure out where the correct order of the poem. It is important the students are building their word recognition skills regularly. You may hear them converse in English, and this is totally normal for dual language immersion students.


Happy New Year! Can NOT believe we are well on our way into the second semester of Kindergarten. The shadow of perspective parents touring in the school hallways is surreal. On Tuesday, January 6, 2015, our students began the 50/50 same day rotation. It went very smoothly and after four days of our new schedule, I am confident the students have already benefited from the consistency and their growth over the next few months will be exciting to see!

What was very exciting for the teachers? We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Marie Bouteillon at GLOBE! Mrs. Bouteillon is a native French speaker who also speaks English, Spanish, and Mandarin. She helped open several French immersion schools in New York City and is currently a consultant for schools across the US. I have started implementing word study centers during the language block and good dual language immersion practice throughout the day. Mrs. Bouteillon will be visiting us four times between now and May.

What are we studying?

Math
Students are learning to measure with different measuring attributes, measuring from the tip point, and comparing length and weight.
Some ideas to try at home...
1) Compare the height between two family members.
2) Measure the family pet with dog biscuit, a ruler, or a piece of yarn.
3) Compare the weight of two objects. For example, an empty water bottle versus a metal cup.

Science
Students will use senses to observe and group rocks by physical attributes such as large/small, heavy/light, smooth/rough, dark/light.
Some ideas to try at home...
1) Compare two rocks found in the backyard and discuss their attributes
2) Research natural landscapes made up of rocks
3) Discuss the difference between rocks and soils and their uses

Mandarin
Students continue to familiarize with their birthdays as well as others' by reading the month and day. We are having lots of fun playing Fruit Stand. The students are learning to recognize words by sight through poem and songs through Morning Meeting.

                                                                   Word Building

                                                     
                                                             Matching Body Part Words

Additionally, my Amazon wish list has been updated - http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3MKQG5OQDHEL3/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_o?

What's Ahead and Week in Review!

Ms. Cristi Elliot-Earby sent out an important letter regarding 50/50 Language Immersion Model. Please read carefully and let me know if you have any questions. I am excited about the change because our children will be immersed in the language every day! The students will learn English Language Arts and Social Studies in Ms. Salzillo's room, and Mandarin Language Arts, Math, and Science in Ms. Liu's. This is the model most immersion programs follow in the United States, and Kindergarten will be the first grade to pilot. Remember it is key to consistently read and write with your child at home as well as practice Mandarin on Better Chinese frequently to ensure meeting your child's foremost potential.

Next Week...
- Uniform Free! Wear whatever you want, but please wear sneakers for PE.
- 12/15 Kindergarten Lunch Mini Concert (Parents are not invited to this, sorry!)
- 12/18 Kindergarten Mandarin Mid-Year Performance (K Mandarin Parents ARE invited!!) 
- 12/19 Polar Express and Dress in your Pajama Day!

Mid- Year Performance
Your child has been busy getting ready to show off! They are so excited about this opportunity to perform in front of their loved ones. Show starts at 12:15 in the Village Plaza, a craft activity to follow.

Pete the Cat Field Trip
Don't forget to turn in your permission slip and money for Pete the Cat field trip in January!

Better Chinese Online Subscription
Sign in using the log-in ID and password emailed to you last week. This is a very interactive program that will keep your child busy while learning during the break.


Mandarin Buddies
So this is not new that Mandarin 1st and K have been doing buddy convo practices for three months now. Now not only we are able to greet and ask for basic personal information, we are also buying and selling fruits (and veggies, not really popular, yet! ;)) The children never seize to amaze me everyday with their growth and desire to learn. The video shows the 1st grader buying and the kindergartener selling. How many fruit names can you pick up? Leave a comment!

More Fruit Stand Pictures!

 First Field Trip on the Yellow Bus for newbies!! 

|WATCH| 耶誕快樂

At GLOBE we celebrate all cultures and holidays. Due to time constraint, each class won't be able to perform a song for each holiday. Here is a song our class will be performing during the mini concert on Monday, 12/15. Please have your child practice over the next few days!