Five Little Monkeys

In November, WE kids read "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" in Chinese.  As you can see from the video, the students really enjoyed themselves and had a great time.

New Technology, New Opportunities

We have the opportunity here at Kalona elementary to use a large number of ipads for our educational units.  This can present a few challenges, but the benefits can far outweigh the negatives when you have a staff that works together to come up with great lessons and activities that use technology to support the teaching we do.  For example, in our Chinese class students put their knowledge of recently learned vocabulary to good use and created virtual rooms on an app.  Then, they presented their rooms to the class.  Students used the ipads to learn new words and practice them through a series of activities.  As a district we are working together to come up with ways that all classes and disciplines can put new technology to work in the classroom to give out students greater opportunities to learn in and beyond the class.  It just takes a little effort, and the rewards are truly great.

International Night

We all have to learn sometime

It doesn't matter if it is opening a door, using a pointer, or playing with chopsticks for each of us there was a first time.  Sometimes, it is easy to forget that (especially as we get up there in years).  One of the things I love most about teaching elementary school Chinese is that I get to see these first times.  It is really a lot of fun and helps keep me young.  The thing I like to remember is we all have time to have more first time experiences.

Do you remember the first time you used chopsticks?

When was the first time you had to get in front of a class to show something?