Easter Lessons April 2009

Easter was a delightful event for both me and my students. There was a coloring contest for Beginner A & B, and Medium A, Medium B, Success A and Success B. The winners for the Easter Coloring contest goes to Tony from Beginner B, and Susan from Medium B. Their colors and impressions on the Easter Pictures were incredible. Congratulations to both of them.

Of course there were some consolation prizes that were won by a few artists. Beside the coloring contest, Medium A, Medium B, Success A and Success B learnt how to actually paint an Easter Egg. It was an interesting yet knowlegable lesson. A lesson to learn about different culture from different countries. It was a memorable Easter Day. Thank you for making it last.

Skating at BeiHang April 2009

Last Monday, Susan, David, Sophia, Ben, Julia and me went skating in Beihang. It was wonderful. It was a beautiful day even though it might be a little too dusty and windy. We started skating at 10 AM. It was early but the place was pack with children and teenagers. We skated till we skin our knees and bruise ourselves. But it was fun. I taught most of them the backward skate and the criss cross skate. At noon, we ate at the nearby food court. I had hot and spicy glass noodles. Most of us ate noodles except Susan. She had a big helping of rice. We took pictures and play in the arcade. We finish our activity at 4.00PM. By the time we go back, we were exhausted. It was a fun and exciting day for all of us.

Halloween Lessons October 2008

This year, we didn't plan for any Halloween Party but we did organize some Halloween lessons for them.

We taught them many new vocabulary on Halloween. And we also did some art craft, making things like Halloween wreath, Jack O lantern carving and Jack O Lantern paper folding. It was fun to see them having a blast time.

But the most interesting, exciting part of Halloween was a powerpoint presentation of paranormal pictures (or my students will call it Ghost Show) They were thrilled about it. Some even took pictures of the slide show. We had a wonderful time.

BBQ Picnic Party June 2008

My family came to visit me on May 2008. I took this great opportunity to allow my siblings (my three little sisters and my two little brothers) to have this BBQ party together with my students. It was a great chance for both my students and my sisters to get to know each other. By talking, playing and eating together, this allows both parties to have a chance to know different culture and customs.

We started at 3.30pm. We decorated the place with balloons and streamers. We even have a big red canopy. We started the party with a great big BANG. Some students arrived ealier to help out.

When everyone arrived at the destination, we started to divide them into groups. There were all together 4 groups. RED, BLUE, WHITE, YELLOW. The first game we played was called, "Treassure Hunt". It was a search for "LOCO ROCO" in the garden. The winner is the team that manage to find the most Loco Roco. But unfortunately it started to rain, so we all quickly rush back into the house. I wanted them to have fun outside but if nature wants us inside I will compromise with it.

Having fun indoor was fantastic too. Because we started our second game called "Paper Clip Race". It was a race between groups to see how long they can make with paper clips. They all concentrated hard on joining the paper clips together. It was great to see teamwork among them.

After the two games, Simon (one of my student) gave us a saxaphone performance. It was terrific. Because for a small boy like him to be able to play the saxaphone was unbelievable. I asked my father whether he has seen a young boy playing the saxaphone, my dad said this was the FIRST. I was honored and proud of Simon. Thank you Simon for showing us your talent.

My sisters gave a performance too. They sang a song called "Best of Both Worlds" by Hannah Montanna. It was fantastic.

After the performance, it was time to eat. We had spaghetti, fried noddles (BeeHoon all the way from Malaysia), Crispy Cornflakes, BBQ corn, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Meat, Brownies, Pudding and of course chocolate ice-cream. They ate everything. It was so clean that I could see my face on the plate. :)

It was a sumptious meal, and it was time for more games. The third game we played was called "watermelon eating competition". It was a funny sight to see Tony, Angel, Michael and Simon eating their way to victory. The winner was Tony, for a small boy, he could really eat alot of watermelons.

The next game we played was called "Coke Drinking Competition". It sounds a little lame, but there is a catch to it. The representatives need to drink their coke through.... a baby's nipple. It was such a funny sight to see them sucking their coke. Everyone laugh and had a great time.

Of course all good things must come to an end, even though it rained heavily outside, but I believe everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did.

Christmas Party 2007

There were only a selected few students who can attend this Christmas Party. Each student from each class was selected to attend the party by taking an examination. As they prepare themselves for their final examination, many studied hard to get an invitation to our school's Christmas Party. It was hard, but it was all worth it.

The party started at 6.00pm, Sunday. It was cold, but many children had rosy cheeks and a warm smile. There were all together 28 students in the party ranging from 7 yrs old to 15 yrs old. At 6.00 to 6.15, Santa Clause gave everyone a Christmas hat and some light sticks. We divided the children into 4 groups. Each group elected a leader (usually a Middle School Student) to lead the group.

The first game we played was "Sing a Christmas Carol". Each group was given a Christmas Carol for them to prepare a group choir to sing in front of everyone. (It is important that on Christmas Day, Carols are sang, Santa Clause is present, and presents are given.) I feel the best group that sang beautifully was Angel Little's group. They orchestrated perfectly. With their light sticks, hats, and facial expression, it was a beauty.

The second game we played was called "Santa Clause Design Competition". Each group was given a list of things. The objective of the game was to design Santa Clause's Clothing within a time limitation. It was fun seeing them make Santa's beard out of cotton and Santa's coat out of red color paper. They were all creative. At last we had 4 young Old Santa Clauses standing in front of us. It was a funny sight.

After a few yo-yo competition and performances, it was time to eat. All the kids rush towards the table to grab their favorite food. We had pizza, spaghetti, pudding, fruit with melted chocolate, mashed potatoes and many more.

After the sumptious meal, it was time for games again. This time, it was a race to dress up as Santa. It was funny seeing them rushing and pulling and draging. Everyone was crying, because it was a funny sight.

Finally, the final game we played was called "Left Right Family Game", Everyone sat in a circle. Each one was given a wrapped present. They have to listen to a story about the "Right Family" Everytime I said right they have to pass the present to their right, and when I say left they have to pass it left. At last, when the story is done, they have their rightful present in their hand. Everyone was thrilled, and happy with their present, with their full stomaches and a beautiful, lovely memory that will last a lifetime.

Halloween 2007

Halloween day was a fantastic day for me and my students. The students in Success Advanced Class prepared, organized and planned the Halloween Party for a month. They were all together 43 people in the party. We didn't expect so many people but it was worth it.

Everyone arrived at 5.00pm. Some even arrived earlier. The first section was to makeup ourselves. We broke a few people to be in charge of makeup, nails decorations and hair design. It was fun looking at everyone trying their best to help their friends look nice. One of us even have a snowman on her cheek. (Anna said it is snowing outside so she is in a mood of drawing a snowman on her cheek)

Others were braver than most, they painted their face with red lipstick which look like a bloody face. While most of us have just a normal makeup look.

We broke the students into a few groups. We elected group leaders to be in charge of each group. (allow them to practice leadership) The first game we played was called "The Making Of An Alien". We gave each group a set of balloons. Each group have a limited time to build an alien looking balloon. They have to try to copy the Alien Example shown to them. It was fun seeing them twisting, pulling and brusting the balloons. They were trying their best to design the Alien.

The second game was to allow them to build a pyramid using paper cups. They have to build the highest and most stable pyramid within a few minutes. The best team was Sophie's Team. It was a success.

After a few games, we told them that food is ready. The kids rush towards the table like hungry wolf. I have never ever seen people eating as crazy as them. It was a funny sight. Just within minutes the food from every table is gone. I never knew kids were like hungry wolves.

After their delicious meal, we had a yo-yo competition. We even have an acrobatic performance performanced by Niu Niu (my husband's cousin's daughter who is now in Japan performing) It was interesting.

Last but not least, the most exciting moment everyone was waiting for, "Trick or Treat". I gave each team a map, a list of houses to visit and a goodie bag. They were all thrilled and excited experiencing a new culture and festival. Before I could explain the rules and regulation, everyone was gone. They ran as fast as lighting asking for treats and candies.

We had a wonderful Halloween Party. It is a memorable time for me and I bet it is a memorable time for my students too. It's great to share the culture differences here in Shenyang, and I believe they had lots of fun and the most important of all, they had fun learning. Like what our motto says "No Fun, No Gain"