Halloween

The kids had a Halloween party in the Chinese classroom. They were seriously wired. Semi-controlled chaos.

Sean looking cute in his new glasses. I was responsible for the bat making station at the party.

Today, Sean and Tay who is in first grade Chinese immersion were laying on my bedroom floor playing Legos and talking in Chinese. Cute! Tay was singing a song and told Sean he would have to sing it in front of the WHOLE school at the Chinese New Year party.

 

 

A link to a video of the loud party.





Totally hyper kids at the Halloween party

What they've been learning

So far the kids have learned numbers to 20, colors, shapes and a bunch of phrases like "lunch box", "mouth, don't talk", "get in line", "PE class", "Computer class."
I am still in awe of how much Sean is learning in Chinese class.
His teacher is truly fabulous. So much enthusiasm.
So many of the kids don't even know their numbers in English. They weren't ready for kindergarten. I wonder how on earth they are going to catch up. I was talking with the principal and she said, they do catch up. One kid dropped and went to regular kindergarten. I am sure it's not for everybody but Sean sure loves it. Everywhere we go he tells people he speaks Chinese.
Here's a video of a song and some numbers.
Chinese sounds better when you are wearing a Yoshi hat

Name

Sean can write his name from memory.

Asking Sean questions about school

I decided to interview Sean about school.

Me: What's your favorite class, English or Chinese?
Sean: Chinese

Me: Why?
Sean: Cause it's fun to learn.

Me:  What's your favorite part of English class?
Sean: I don't really learn anything, my favorite part is playing Lego's

Me: What's your favorite part of the school day?
Sean: Lego's is my funnest thing.

Me: What do you not like at school?
Sean: Most everything is my favorite.

Me: Is there anything at school that makes you sad?
Sean: Nothing makes me sad.


Listening to Sean talk about his day reinforces our decision to put him in the dual immersion program. He would have been completely bored in kindergarten.

A couple of pictures from school

 

Recess

 

Practicing Chinese Song

 Todays Chinese homework:

Ni Hao parents,
We have been learning these songs in chinese. I will be sending you the links on youtube (see attachment). The first 2 songs, they can sing perfectly in chinese, the 3rd song, we are still working on. Please practice singing with them at home. I would say that 90% of my students know and recognize their names in chinese! YAY! There are some a few that still needs extra help ( no worries!)

Here's Sean practicing his song  He came home with a little toy, he said teacher gave it to him for singing. I am quite surprised that he sang for her. He's usually shy.

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5obEyeHWk&feature=related&safe=active

  (two tigers song)

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zohicMy7I4w&feature=related&safe=active

(1,2,3..where is my friend)

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueSBz0aV4Rs&feature=related&safe=active

(looking for friends)

Opening the milk cartons

Bag learning Chinese, I'm just hoping the kids learn how to open their milk cartons. I've been going to school during lunch to help the kids. It's a lot for a kindergartnerner to make their way through the lunch line, choose fruits, vegetables, entree and desert then make their way to the table. Once they get to the table they have trouble opening their milk cartons and utensil wrapper so I am there to help. I have no doubt in a couple of weeks they will all be pros.

Last night while Sean was in the bath tub he was singing a song in Chinese. I asked him what it meant and he said "I don't know, it's Chinese." I recognized the words for teacher, that was about it. I asked Sean what he did at school. He said "we watched a movie." I asked what the movie was about and he said "I don't know, it was in Chinese." I think I read somewhere the first part of learning a foreign language is listening to the language. I really can't fathom two and a half hours of Chinese per day.

An article from the Tribune archives regarding dual immersion programs. The comments are interesting.

Nice note from Sean's teacher

Our trip to China in February

Sean's teacher sent this cute note. Got to love hearing nice things about your kiddo.

HI Carol,
THanks for helping us during lunch time! I just wanted to praise Sean, he is a really good kid, I seeing trying really hard to listen and doing his best to sit still. He does understand quite abit and is always willing to obey the rules.
THank you
Lin Lao Shi
Another good article about immersion programs