Don't forget us during conferences

One of the things I love most about conference time is that is gives me an opportunity to talk to both parents and students about foreign language in the schools.  Don't pass up the opportunity to chat with us about what your children are learning.  We love the chance to talk about them and we also love the chance to get your ideas about our programs in the district.

Chinese Mid Autumn Festival

Thanks to all those who came out for our Chinese Mid Autumn festival last Tuesday.  We had around 55 people attend and fun was had by all.  I want to thank the University of Iowa Confucius Institute for giving us a great selection of activities and speakers.  The students truly learned a lot and had a wonderful time.

Chinese Moon Festival at Kalona Elementary

It's time again for our Chinese Moon festival.  We are fortunate that this year visitors from the University of Iowa Confucius Institute will be coming to Kalona Elementary to show ALL Mid Prairie elementary students how to celebrate this wonderful time.  Please Join us Tuesday evening at Kalona Elementary!!!

It's Hot!!

This has been a tough week for teachers and students considering all the heat.  In spite of it all the students have done an amazing job practicing their Chinese.  I am always surprised to see how well they do in class, but this was really an amazing week.  Please give each kid a pat on the back for all the hard work well done.

School year 2013 has begun!!

Welcome back to another great year of Chinese at Mid Prairie Community schools.  We are going to be doing a lot of great things in all our Chinese classes this year from working with I pads, to having Skype sessions with other Chinese schools.  It is going to be an exciting school year as we have Chinese class in all our elementary schools, the middle school, and online for high school level students in conjunction  with Kirkwood Community College.  Please come back often to see what is going on and how you can participate.

End on a High Note

Another year down, another great experience teaching Chinese.  This year I was lucky to be able to teach K-10 Chinese in our district both online and face to face with students.  It was great to see how students learn at all levels from across the spectrum.  One thing that never changes...We all love to have fun.

Have a great Summer 再见!!!

Teach and Learn/Learn and Teach

For the past 16 weeks Kalona Elementary and Mid Prairie Middle School were very fortunate to have a fantastic student teacher from the University of Iowa.  Pei Huang came to us from China and spent time teaching her language and culture to every student from grades Kindergarten through Seventh grade.  The students and I learned many fantastic things and we all felt honored to be in her class.  I enjoyed the chance to pass on what I have learned in my short time teaching.  I can only hope that she picked up more of my good habits rather than my bad habits.  One of the best things about having a student teacher is it makes you be very reflective of your own teaching so as to make them the best examples possible.  I learned long ago we all teach as we have learned so I tried to be conscious of that point as I tried to be a fitting mentor.    
Seeing a new teacher go through all the steps of learning the craft, teaching students, and eventually moving on to their own classes is a heartening thing.  Pei will be moving to White Bear Lake Minnesota to start her own teaching journey.  I am sure those students will benefit from her as much as our own benefited here.