Here are the gifts that my students brought me for Christmas:
from Michael and his mom:
Lacome mascara with a bottle of Lancome eye makeup remover. This gift was by far the most expensive (Michael's mom also brought me a one-pound box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts and Chanel lipgloss at Thanksgiving). I like Michael's mom.
from Franco:
a tiger key chain
from Lily:
an angel cell phone charm, which is currently in use.
from Tommy:
two rolls of bread in a baggie tied up with a twist tie
from Tina:
a handdrawn picture of Ariel, labeled as Teacher Emily.
from Marilyn:
a king-sized Snickers bar
from Timothy:
a purple sparkly pinky ring
from Johnny:
the same purple sparkly ring, a few days later.
from James:
a Pokemon trading card
from Frank:
black leather gloves with a brown pompom on each wrist
from Jessica:
a soft maple nouget candy square
from Allen:
a Spiderman button and small notepad -- pen not included.
from Vanita:
a handmade card written in blue marker which read exactly, "I Lik You." The sentence was followed by 6 hearts and 6 stars.
a Hello Kitty ring that actually fits my ring finger -- I'm wearing it now because it's cute.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
More than tradition.
I was apprehensive when I first considered living overseas about spending holidays without my family or friends. I made it through my first holiday, and I survived. I guess that means I'm a big girl now. Heh.
I have given up a few things this year by moving, but I've gained much as well. I am so thankful for my kids and their funny comments they make. In the middle of my explanation of a worksheet the other day, Albert shouts out, "I want to be king, said the tall fat man!" On a more serious note, when asked "What can we thank G-d for?", Nathaniel said, "J-sus and His blood." ...soon followed by asking if I was Chr-stian and receiving an enthusiastic yes. I have a hard time loving my kids some days, but what a great blessing they are to me. I have a huge task of taking care of them and helping shape their futures. I can't wait to see how far they have come at the end of the year.
Thanksgiving Day Dinner
All the Kindergarten English teachers had dinner at our department head's apartment. He and his wife have 5 kids, there were 8 English teachers, and one teacher brought his family of 4. All in all, we had 19 people in an apartment. It was wonderful. Our group picture is still in John's camera, so you won't find it here... but I did eat turkey with chopsticks. That's pretty cool, if you ask me. (The first picture is of me preparing the salad at my friend's apartment. I was in charge of bringing the salad.)
My little turkeys.
I had a Thanksgiving Day lesson in my classes on Thursday. Here are some pictures from that as well. Class one took two pictures and Class two took two pictures as well.
Happy Thanksgiving from China!
Miss you all....
I have given up a few things this year by moving, but I've gained much as well. I am so thankful for my kids and their funny comments they make. In the middle of my explanation of a worksheet the other day, Albert shouts out, "I want to be king, said the tall fat man!" On a more serious note, when asked "What can we thank G-d for?", Nathaniel said, "J-sus and His blood." ...soon followed by asking if I was Chr-stian and receiving an enthusiastic yes. I have a hard time loving my kids some days, but what a great blessing they are to me. I have a huge task of taking care of them and helping shape their futures. I can't wait to see how far they have come at the end of the year.
Thanksgiving Day Dinner
All the Kindergarten English teachers had dinner at our department head's apartment. He and his wife have 5 kids, there were 8 English teachers, and one teacher brought his family of 4. All in all, we had 19 people in an apartment. It was wonderful. Our group picture is still in John's camera, so you won't find it here... but I did eat turkey with chopsticks. That's pretty cool, if you ask me. (The first picture is of me preparing the salad at my friend's apartment. I was in charge of bringing the salad.)
My little turkeys.
I had a Thanksgiving Day lesson in my classes on Thursday. Here are some pictures from that as well. Class one took two pictures and Class two took two pictures as well.
Happy Thanksgiving from China!
Miss you all....
Monday, October 29, 2007
Cram School
I happened upon this couplet of words in my Kindergarten curriculum yesterday afternoon for the first time. I decided I would look it up online to see what I could find. Because Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias alike are blocked by the Chinese government, this was all the information I could find on Cram School. I encourage you to use your resources to find out more information if you're interested. The following information came from http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Cram_school.
Cram school, also referred to as supplementary education or tutorials, is a kind of private school that provides highly organized lessons conducted after regular school hours and on weekends. A cram school, as the name suggests, aims at conveying as much information which is related to particular examinations to students as possible in a short period of time. The training in cram school, especially in an academic approach, places the emphasis on filling students’ heads with all the materials that are considered necessary for particular examinations. The students who attend the supplementary courses are trained to memorize the materials and master the skills needed for answering questions without critical thinking. Hence, cram schools are sometimes criticized for the lack of education their students receive in critical thinking and analysis.
Chinese culture values academic success and the administration system for selecting capable persons; the modern social structure in transition can be regarded as a latent factor which indirectly support cram school. For example, Confucian beliefs about the role of hard work and ability in academic achievement point to education as critical in the future of children. Therefore, parents in traditional Chinese society think highly on children’s scholastic achievement because academic achievement is regarded as one of critical factors which impact children’s future career development.
The growing popularity of cram schools can be attributed to the parents’ belief that children can benefit from joining extra-curricular programs. With the growing importance of competitive entrance examinations in gaining admission to prestigious senior high schools and universities, parents tend to enroll their children in supplementary programs to enhance their performance in examinations, especially when their children enter middle school. Even though the tuition at cram school is high, most parents are willing to pay because it will help their children’s success in life.
In addition to Chinese cultural and parent’s beliefs in academic success, the competitive entrance examinations for getting into a prestigious university and high school is one of the essential factors which support cram schools. In Taiwan, most students entering high schools or universities are determined by their performances in examination. The subjects tested in entrance examinations are Chinese, mathematics, science, social studies, and English. Due to the prospect of getting a good job depends on the school attended; success or failure on an entrance examination may impact a student's future. Thus, as students experience the pressure of entrance examination, they would like to attend supplementary school for practice tests. At this aspect, a cram school plays the role to provide organized materials and intensive training to help students to pass the examinations.
For the purpose of helping the students succeed in examinations, direct instruction is commonly considered the most effective instructional method used in cram schools...the typical teaching process involves (1) lecturing and organized materials are provided for students, and the material taught in the two kinds of cram schools above are closely related to the school syllabus, (2) students are required to practice with various types of problems similar to those used in tests, and (3) repeated drills and tests.
In nonacademic-oriented cram schools, teachers frequently adapt the materials to fit individual student’s needs and interests, however, in regular schools, teachers just follow the standard curriculum. In many cases, the lessons studied in nonacademic-oriented cram schools provide an intellectual challenge for students, some students therefore enjoy engaging in these programs.
Most children go as early as three years old, so as to be sure to qualify for the top kindergartens.
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Cram school, also referred to as supplementary education or tutorials, is a kind of private school that provides highly organized lessons conducted after regular school hours and on weekends. A cram school, as the name suggests, aims at conveying as much information which is related to particular examinations to students as possible in a short period of time. The training in cram school, especially in an academic approach, places the emphasis on filling students’ heads with all the materials that are considered necessary for particular examinations. The students who attend the supplementary courses are trained to memorize the materials and master the skills needed for answering questions without critical thinking. Hence, cram schools are sometimes criticized for the lack of education their students receive in critical thinking and analysis.
Chinese culture values academic success and the administration system for selecting capable persons; the modern social structure in transition can be regarded as a latent factor which indirectly support cram school. For example, Confucian beliefs about the role of hard work and ability in academic achievement point to education as critical in the future of children. Therefore, parents in traditional Chinese society think highly on children’s scholastic achievement because academic achievement is regarded as one of critical factors which impact children’s future career development.
The growing popularity of cram schools can be attributed to the parents’ belief that children can benefit from joining extra-curricular programs. With the growing importance of competitive entrance examinations in gaining admission to prestigious senior high schools and universities, parents tend to enroll their children in supplementary programs to enhance their performance in examinations, especially when their children enter middle school. Even though the tuition at cram school is high, most parents are willing to pay because it will help their children’s success in life.
In addition to Chinese cultural and parent’s beliefs in academic success, the competitive entrance examinations for getting into a prestigious university and high school is one of the essential factors which support cram schools. In Taiwan, most students entering high schools or universities are determined by their performances in examination. The subjects tested in entrance examinations are Chinese, mathematics, science, social studies, and English. Due to the prospect of getting a good job depends on the school attended; success or failure on an entrance examination may impact a student's future. Thus, as students experience the pressure of entrance examination, they would like to attend supplementary school for practice tests. At this aspect, a cram school plays the role to provide organized materials and intensive training to help students to pass the examinations.
For the purpose of helping the students succeed in examinations, direct instruction is commonly considered the most effective instructional method used in cram schools...the typical teaching process involves (1) lecturing and organized materials are provided for students, and the material taught in the two kinds of cram schools above are closely related to the school syllabus, (2) students are required to practice with various types of problems similar to those used in tests, and (3) repeated drills and tests.
In nonacademic-oriented cram schools, teachers frequently adapt the materials to fit individual student’s needs and interests, however, in regular schools, teachers just follow the standard curriculum. In many cases, the lessons studied in nonacademic-oriented cram schools provide an intellectual challenge for students, some students therefore enjoy engaging in these programs.
Most children go as early as three years old, so as to be sure to qualify for the top kindergartens.
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Saturday, October 6, 2007
Suzhou Part IV: The Silk Factory
The silk factory is one of the neatest things I've seen. We walked through the steps of how the silk of hundreds of little silkworms becomes a robe, a quilt, or a scarf, just to name a few. I was very impressed.
On our way in, we stopped at a street market outside of the factory. I have great bargaining skills, though not very admirable traffic-directing skills. :) Can you find me?? (I added another silly picture from the Garden to this blog as well)
On our way in, we stopped at a street market outside of the factory. I have great bargaining skills, though not very admirable traffic-directing skills. :) Can you find me?? (I added another silly picture from the Garden to this blog as well)
Suzhou Part I: Tiger Hill Pagota
This structure is over a thousand years old. It's called Tiger Hill because the hill it sits on (from a distance) looks like the body of a tiger. In one picture you can see that the pagota is actually leaning... The group of us took a picture at the entrance at the bottom of the hill. That is the original entrance. On the way out of Tiger Hill, we stopped to shoot some bow and arrows. There were booths set up in celebration of National Day.
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