|Mandarin Journal| 多和少 Comparing Numbers

For the past two weeks, we have been learning ways to compare numbers. We first compared two sets of uni-fix cubes, then we drew two groups of circles, then we moved on to compare numbers. The students now apply greater than (>), less than (<), and equal to (=) symbols to compare two numbers. 

Songs are a huge part of teaching and learning in my classroom. Because every new concept involves new and unfamiliar words, we sing songs to help them stick. 

So to translate the song (don't tell your children I translated for you, because we NEVER translate in immersion)..

Here is how it goes...

How many do you have? How many do you have?

You have more, I have less.

More More Less Less, not the same. 

You have more, I have less.

More More Less Less, not the same. 

                                     CLICK HERE------> 

|Home Project| Due Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Time to eat! What? Yes! Your homework involves eating out.

Where: Any Chinese restaurant in your neighborhood! Don't have a clue, look at the suggestions below.
Why: So your family can immerse in the culture, language, and food. Your child is ENCOURAGED to speak to the servers in Mandarin. You will sit back and feel proud.
Due Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2015
What: Collect artifacts from the experience (pictures, menu, chopsticks, fortune cookies...etc) and put them in a shoe box. Assist your child to be as creative as possible.

I would love for you as parents to share your positive experience in the comments below. Questions? Just ask!

Authentic Chinese Restaurant suggestions:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hunan-inn-chinese-restaurant-atlanta
http://greensproutga.com
http://www.harmonyvegetarian.com

Have loads of fun!!

|LISTEN| 我的五種感覺 Five Senses Song

Content songs are effective tools especially in an immersion setting. It's a very easy and quick way to learn new vocabulary words that are otherwise boring. Because all learners learn differently, by introducing content materials in art and music form can sometimes peak interest. There will be many more made-up songs by me throughout the year. :)

Tips: Read while pointing with a pointer helps with word recognition. Each word is a syllable, so essentially it's pretty accurate as long as you are not skipping words. 

Week of September 14-18, 2015

Science 

The students had tasted lemon (thanks parents!), salt, sugar, and cacao powder on Tuesday. Their expressions are priceless. We did a survey on what each person likes and dislikes and it turned out both classes liked sugar the best and cacao least. Surprise!

Students also used their hands to feel different textures and objects in a container.

In Math, we are making bar graphs by counting. The students continue to practice counting using ten frames, tally marks, and writing numerical numbers.

In Mandarin, the students are learning to match the spoken words to pictures. This month, we are studying school supply vocabulary words. Thanks for those who completed their homework on time. 

I will be uploading a video next week so the students can practice from home. Their flashcards will remain at school one more week so we can play a few games with them and become familiarized. 

|WATCH| 星期歌 Days of the Week

Don't panic if your child does not have this song in the journal. Eckmann homeroom will have it done by Friday. Make sure your child is reading and using the one-to-one correspondence technique when reading. Every word is ONE syllable. By pointing to the words while they read, it will reinforce reading skills by sight. Remember, each Mandarin word is a sight word. The more you read, the more you know.

Week of August 24-28, 2015

The students completed MAP test this week! Don't forget, the tests (Reading and Math) are 57 questions long... determine your child's age and the length of the test plus the test method, the scores will NOT be the only measurement in your child's benchmark. Portfolio and parent teacher communication are your best way to see your child's growth. Don't forget reading bag is coming home mid-September. Nightly reading in your child's native language is KEY to his/her academic success!

Write and Wipe Mandarin Sight Words

Building Words with Geo Board

Writing with Chopsticks and Pom Poms

Building Sight Words with Playdoh

Skip counting by 10's using sticks

No Connections - Outdoor Play 

Thanks Suo Hsien for Reading Chinese to the children! 

|WATCH| What does a Sight Words activity look like in Mandarin?

Students learn most when they are engaged. This is why language teachers work extra hard to create those activities to build the skills that might have taken a lot longer and many more yawns. Unlike a traditional Chinese classroom, I reinforce word recognitions through student centered games. In the video you will see a native speaker as the teacher. This is a way to build leadership skills and differentiation.  The child may have been shy, but being given a task he is comfortable of excuting fits the bill. I do not have many native Mandarin speakers in my classroom, but finding ways for those who tend to get bored opportunities to be the "teacher" always puts a smile on their faces.

**This is just one of the many sight words activities we play. :)