Notes From Our Visit
Our experience in China has been incredible with an extremely full itinerary. The Chinese people are extremely warm and loving everywhere we go. They treat us as celebrities as they are so curious and interested in America and our culture. We are often stopped and asked to pose for pictures with people.
The "Welcoming Ceremony" at the Middle School in was quite a monumental event. Just over two thousand students from one grade level gathered outside in the meeting area as the national anthem of the United States and China were played. Television and newspaper reporters were taking pictures and documenting our visit. The Chinese faculty and students at the school are so interested in learning everything they can from us and we have much to learn from them as well.
Music fills the school. Students sing usually in English to transition between classes. The Chinese students love to sing and perform and are quite good. Student have a good amount of freedom within the controlled environment, and appear to take responsibility to utilize that well. For example, during the hour lunch time, they can walk home, cross the street to visit a market, or remain on campus as they chose.
We observed an English class lesson on cause and effect, a Math lesson on infinity/sets/elements/one to one correspondence, and a Physics class where students were working with resistance, as well as a Music class and PE class. In each class, students were fully attentive and engaged. Many of the teachers readily use technology in the form of Power Points in their instructional method.
We have also participated in many discussions with the Administrators and Faculty about the things we can learn from each other - that will be another blog entry later as I need more time for analysis.
Today is our last day - we will be touring the Volkswagon Factory and the Primary School affiliated with this manufacturer and experiencing authentic Chinese shopping!
Dawn Mirand
The "Welcoming Ceremony" at the Middle School in was quite a monumental event. Just over two thousand students from one grade level gathered outside in the meeting area as the national anthem of the United States and China were played. Television and newspaper reporters were taking pictures and documenting our visit. The Chinese faculty and students at the school are so interested in learning everything they can from us and we have much to learn from them as well.
Music fills the school. Students sing usually in English to transition between classes. The Chinese students love to sing and perform and are quite good. Student have a good amount of freedom within the controlled environment, and appear to take responsibility to utilize that well. For example, during the hour lunch time, they can walk home, cross the street to visit a market, or remain on campus as they chose.
We observed an English class lesson on cause and effect, a Math lesson on infinity/sets/elements/one to one correspondence, and a Physics class where students were working with resistance, as well as a Music class and PE class. In each class, students were fully attentive and engaged. Many of the teachers readily use technology in the form of Power Points in their instructional method.
We have also participated in many discussions with the Administrators and Faculty about the things we can learn from each other - that will be another blog entry later as I need more time for analysis.
Today is our last day - we will be touring the Volkswagon Factory and the Primary School affiliated with this manufacturer and experiencing authentic Chinese shopping!
Dawn Mirand