Nimen hao! I'm not sure who will be reading this now, but I think I might periodically update things for anyone looking.


Hope you and your children are doing well. And that their chinese continues to be a great part of their life and understanding of the world.


I am actually headed over to China in a couple months as a sponsored music group for the Confucius Institute at the University of Utah. We will be staying and studying at Sichuan University. For updates on that adventure as it unfolds, follow our blog. I'll also be keeping my eye out for any ideas/books/trinkets to bring home for the immersion kids.


Also, for part of my husband's job, we were able to take members of the college board (the ones who write A.P. tests, among other things) who were out here from New York to see what is happening in Chinese education in Utah. They were incredibly impressed. The level of chinese our kids are getting to at such a young age and such a fast pace is really unmatched. There are now many states sending representatives our way to observe our model in order to replicate it.


Not to say it is easy. Just to say it is worth it :)


And for those of you who haven't seen this yet, you may want to check it out:

Holiday family event

If you are looking for something interesting to do with your family this winter break, you are invited to attend a free concert the Chinese-American folk band I play in is putting on. Tuesday, Dec 27th at 7:00 in the downtown SLC library auditorium. We use traditional Chinese instruments (gu zheng, pipa, ruan, and erhu) mixed with western ones (guitar, violin, bass) for what ends up as a pretty cool sounding mix.

It is a benefit concert for the Salt Lake  IRC, so we will also be playing with a group of refugees from Burundi who play, dance and sing with drums. It should be a fun night.

Twas the week before Christmas break

This week we have been working on vocabulary to talk about the things we use and do at school. For some practice with these words, click on the lingt link. We have also been learning about seasons and the weather that usually accompanies each. Knowing the seasons and months in order is a first grade math standard. You can help your child by playingva game of " Tell the the month/season that comes before/after __________." Or give them weather clues and have them tell you the season.

In other math, we have been doing work with subtraction stories, addition practice, and are starting work on memorizing doubles and using the doubles plus/minus one strategy for addition. Example: we know 3+4=7 because we already know 3+3=6, so it is a doubles plus one.

As always, try to work in little math stories with your kids whenever you can. The more they see and are used to connecting what is happening around them to numbers and number sentences, the less intimidating and more fun math becomes.

Last thing. I was helping out in third grade today, and was so happy to see how great these kids are doing in Chinese. They are so comfortable with it and really speak no English at all in class. It seemed so natural to them. They are already at a level most learning Chinese only wish they could be.

Back in the saddle again

Great to be back! Though only for a short time.

If you are new to this blog, please feel free to click on the links on the right for some fun online chinese learning for you and your child. The lingt site has vocaublary and lessons from years past where you can hear the chinese spoken and then record yourself and hear how you compare. It is a great way for me to hear each child individually (and give feedback) as well as for you to hear and see how they are doing.

But. If you have a minutes, watch this. You will be reminded of how awesome it is that you and your child are participating in this program....

Baby is here!

Meet Anna Louise Chipman. We're excited to have her join the family (and start learning Chinese :)

Born August 4th. 8 lbs, 21 inches. Cute.

Field trip

If you are interested in coming with us on our field trip to the park Thursday, May 19, please let either Mrs. Cretsinger or myself know, we would love to have you along. All are welcome!

Plants

We had an exciting visit today from Red Butte gardens. We are part of their outreach program and as such have a grow lab in our classroom and will be learning all about plants as we observe them grow and have lessons about them for the next month. The kids will be learning chinese and english vocabulary associated with plant and plant development.

In math we are working with number patterns, story problems, graphing, and review.