Speciality Highlight May: Mandarin
First Grade:
The First Grade class had a lot of fun learning the basic strokes of Chinese characters. In addition, we learned how to say the names of fruits and Western and Eastern foods in Chinese. We practiced simple conversations, including greetings, asking “What is this?”, and talking about our favorite foods. The class learned several ancient Chinese poems, such as Geese, Geese, Geese, Mercy Farmer, and The Quiet Night. Traditional Chinese folk tales captured our interest and added to the enjoyment of our learning experience.
Second Grade:
This semester, we practiced and mastered writing the Chinese characters for the numbers 1 through 10 and successfully wrote numbers from 1 to 99 in Chinese. The class practiced counting from 1 to 100 on a Chinese abacus, and some students even began learning the multiplication table using the abacus. They learned a fun song about the face and reviewed vocabulary for fruits, as well as both Western and Eastern foods. In addition, students practiced simple conversations, including greetings and talking about their favorite foods. The class also learned how to ask and answer questions like “What is this?”, “Do you like it?” The Second Grade can be proud to have taken another step forward on our Chinese learning journey.
Third Grade:
This semester, the Third Grade class built upon their knowledge of basic strokes and learned the first set of 12 foundational Chinese characters. They practiced the multiplication table using the Chinese abacus. In class, we reviewed a facial features song and recited several ancient Chinese poems. Students expanded their vocabulary to include fruits and both Western and Eastern foods. Additionally, the class practiced simple conversations, such as greetings and talking about our favorite foods. They learned how to ask and answer questions like “What is this?” and “Do you like it?” The Third Graders can be proud to have made another step forward on their Chinese learning journey.
Fourth & Fifth Grade:
To prepare for the puppet show, the students learned pinyin and practiced using it to pronounce Chinese characters. This helped them read and say vocabulary words that they hadn’t learned before. The class also studied the second set of basic Chinese characters, which offered a glimpse into Chinese culture and ways of thinking. This semester, the students began learning a new classical Chinese poem, Qing Ming, which honors the tradition of remembering our ancestors. In addition, they expanded their vocabulary related to the seasons and weather and learned how to express dates in Chinese. The class reviewed basic conversational questions such as “Who likes it?”, “Does he like it?”, “Do you like it?”, and “What is it?” The Fourth and Fifth Grade students can be proud of how much they have learned this semester!
Sixth & Seventh Grade:
The Middle School students completed their presentations about a typical school day. In the descriptions, students included details such as the time they wake up, have breakfast, go to school, attend different classes throughout the day, and then return home, do homework, eat dinner, and go to bed. The learning process began with creating a general schedule, followed by writing it into a full essay as a written assignment. Students then presented their essays in class as part of an oral skills assessment. Finally, they translated a similar short article using a dictionary for support. Overall, Sixth and Seventh Graders practiced and were assessed on writing, speaking, and reading skills, which are the formal learning patterns for foreign language in middle and high school.
Warmly,
Ki Cerina
