Studying Chinese out of school

It is hard for students to find time to study sometimes.  Whether it is extra curricular activities, time with family and friends, part time jobs, or just a rough day sometimes students don't take time to study.  But it doesn't take a much time to study.  You can do a lot in just 15 minutes if you do it right.  That is why we work of study skills so much in the first few weeks of our Chinese classes at the middle school.  It may be how to use flashcards one week, or online Chinese games the next.  The important thing is to build a habit of studying your Chinese so that you constantly work on it.  You will be amazed how much better you can get.  Speaking of opportunities to study Chinese, The University of Iowa is starting their next round of Community Chinese classes.  You can learn calligraphy, Tai Chi, or Chinese.  It is a great way to meet new people, practice speaking, or just have fun.  Find out class information here 

Making the jump to Middle school

This year we are starting Chinese at the Middle school.  This is a great success for our Chinese program because it shows commitment to language learning here at Mid Prairie.  While it is great to be able to go to the Middle school and teach Chinese it is not without its challenges.  Middle school is that important bridge between elementary school and high school where students need to develop higher order skills that will allow them to be successful learners throughout their lives.  For students who are used to all the games and songs that were part of their elementary Chinese, this transition can be a bit of a shock.  Middle school Chinese has lots of fun parts, but students must also start to learn and develop abilities to make them successful language learners in high school and beyond.  So in addition to games and music, we are also learning how to read and write a good amount of Chinese characters.  Students are taking more rigorous tests in Chinese, and they are expected to speak using Chinese throughout their Chinese term.  They are also delving deeper into Asian culture as well as their own.  It's not as easy as it used to be, but the rewards are so much greater. 

Different students, different abilities.

We all know the story, there's this person who is really great at math but can't remember how to conjugate a verb.  Another person is really good at art but not so hot at music.  Every student has different skills that they bring to class, and each student learns differently.  That's why it is really important to have lots of different types of activities in the language classroom to engage every student and give each student a time to shine.  The challenge is creating a balance and making those activities appropriate for the concepts being taught.  Here are some examples we've used so far.

Presentational activities that feature listening and writing.

Interpersonal activities that require movement and social skills.

Interpretive activities that have the students moving and trusting their classmates.

There are tons more things you can do in the class and each new idea is a chance to let a particular student take the spotlight.

Moving in the heat!

Ni Hao all!  I hope everyone was able to enjoy the three day holiday.  It's no secret that it has been extra hot here in Mid Prairie.  However, in spite of the heat our students are doing a great job with their Chinese classes.  Kindergartners are taking their first steps in Chinese learning how to say hello and introducing themselves and others in Chinese.  Other grades are continuing where they left off learning new ways to say different things from animals to giving directions.  New this year, middle school students of Chinese are writing and reading Chinese.  They all do such a great job no matter the conditions, and it shows in their faces and attitudes in class.

Sometimes a puppet can really help a shy child break out of their shell.

Gotta keep moving!!

New Year, Big Changes!!!

Ni Hao!!  Welcome back from the long Summer.  I hope you are all refreshed and ready for a new year of Chinese here at Mid Prairie.  This year we will continue our great programs at Wellman, Washington Township, and Kalona elementary offering Chinese K-5.  In addition we also have big changes in the form of Chinese now being offered at the Middle school to sixth and seventh graders.  Not to be left out, those wanting to take Chinese at the high school level can start because our district is offering Chinese through the ICN in partnership with Kirkwood as well.  It is an exciting time to be a student of Chinese and we are proud to be able to offer foreign language, both Chinese and Spanish to our students throughout the schools and grade levels.  Check back often to see all the fantastic stuff going on this year!  Zai Jian

The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival

We just completed our Unit on the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival!!!  It was great to see all the teamwork going on at the school.  It can really be challenging for students to learn to work together sometimes, so I really think it is important to give them opportunities to learn and practice a skill that will be used throughout life. 

Students had to first design their dragon boat.

There were a lot of great idea that came out on paper.

Next, students had to actually put their boats together.

It was a team effort where different students had different jobs.

Everyone took a lot of pride in the final products,

In the end we put the teamwork into practice with wooden plank races.

Bringing it to a close for the year

It is a great feeling to get to the end of a school term.  You get to see the students hopefully putting everything they have been learning into practice.  Some use their ears following directions in the target langauge, some speak in Chinese, and some write words or sentences that they have learned.  Seeing and hearing all that really makes me glad to have the opportunity to be in the profession.  That being said, it is very important for me to bring the year to an end in a way that sums up what we have been striving for here in the district.  This year we are putting on a school wide Dragon Boat Race.  Students get a chance to learn about the Dragon Boat Festival, then they get to create their own dragon boats that they will race against each other.  Stay tuned for some great pics.  Have a great weekend.