Dear Parents,
It’s amazing that after an intense weekend most of the children are still bouncing (I myself am having aching legs and a sore throat). By 6:30am, they were up and running rounds on the sports field with Tian Laoshi and the PE teacher. Jesse is such a good runner that he is far ahead of everybody else. Gary comes second. Afterwards, there was a soccer game—the children were all soaking wet by the end and asked for more. Tian Laoshi was surprised that so many kids like soccer! In the late afternoon, a dozen kids played soccer again with Tian Laoshi; they chose soccer over chess, poker and other board games. So we were a bit late for breakfast, but the children’s spirit was high.
Today Ma Laoshi is sick. So Wang Laoshi (the head teacher) took over A Class. Li Laoshi was stuck in traffic; I covered the first 15 minutes for B Class. Things are going well in C Class. Yan Laoshi was well prepared and was waiting for the children before class began, with Chinese language radio on (in response to our suggestion of enriching Chinese language input in the classroom). I observed B Class today. Li Laoshi increased the density of classroom learning. She gave 25 phrases today, played audio version of “Journey to the West (xi you ji)”, and asked the children to answer questions based on what they heard. Andre likes to move around the classroom while doing an excellent job recognizing characters. Li Laoshi shared her philosophy with me during lunch; she lets the children be free physically and emotionally in the classroom as she believes that is the optimal stress-free state in which learning can take place. Jessica sits in the first row and is often the first one to answer questions. Jason is sitting next to Li Laoshi’s son (also named Jason, who came to class with Li Laoshi today) and the two Jasons were swapping Chinese/English language lessons.
After three days of classes last week, we may be making slight adjustments in student placement. We are asking a few individuals who we see not quite fit for their level of classes to try other classes tomorrow and let us know which class they feel more comfortable with. We are also making slight adjustment in dorm assignment. Room 201 which is shared by the three youngest girls (Emily, Angela and Yiran) has problems with shower and air conditioner that require adult operation. So they switched rooms with Tian Laoshi and Felix. The three girls now have Gong Laoshi to their left, and Bonnie and Jenny right opposite.
After lunch, Bonnie gave another leadership training session. Today’s theme is “Changing Perspectives”. First, Bonnie asked Rebecca and Jessica to read a written statement which they have prepared beforehand, reflecting upon “clubs”. She praised the children for being reflective, communicative, and forward-looking. She challenged the children to think about how they might want to deal with imperfections in life. She gave them three strategies: (1) make changes in the world directly; (2) make changes indirectly; and/or (3) make changes in our own perspectives and practice.
Bonnie got the children into their competition groups and asked them to brainstorm the things that bothered them in the past week and to work out solutions as a group. Each group had a leader, a scribe, a time keeper, and a speaker who in the end reported to the whole group their discussions. She then reviewed the 10 features of the “Learner/Leader Profile” which she had introduced on Day One and asked the children to self-rate on each of the 10 features on a scale of 1-5. For this week’s leadership training homework, Bonnie asked the children to use 3 of the 10 “learner/leader” features to look for solutions to problems that bother them the most.
Ruiduan, our student counselor, introduced rules and ways of keeping our dorms clean. She and her assistant May will be checking and grading all rooms, applying criteria such as odor, neatness of bed, cleanness of bathroom, etc. The children immediately asked “How about your room?” The collective answer was that each of the three competition teams will send one representative to check and grade Ruiduan and May’s room. Yeah, no one is above the law! (I overheard some kid talking about checking the teachers’ rooms; o-ohh…)
During self-study time, Yan Laoshi monitored C Class, Gong Laoshi B Class and I A Class. Luran takes work very seriously. He completes everything by himself no matter how much work it takes. Alex is an enthusiastic learner. After he finished the required length of writing, he volunteered to write more. Eddie learns words very fast and always draws connections. Yiran is reading beautifully and does not back off when the writing makes her fingers hurt. In addition to attending A Class, May also helps teachers type up their flashcards and handouts. She is a great helper to both teachers and other students.
During dinner, Bonnie announced the winning team from last week (based on cumulative scores on behavior, classroom participation, etc., etc.): it is Team Dragon! As a reward, all members of the team went shopping in a supermarket with Tian Laoshi and Ruiduan and May in the evening.
Next time you contact your children, be sure to ask them what team they are on.
For now,
Agnes (aka He Laoshi)