Mandarin is Fun
Reflections - Group 1
Reflection for Group 1
I reiterated my introductory lesson for the students coming back from July 4th break. Additionally, I added counting numbers 1-10 to the module.
I started with an Social Emotional Learning as an introduction, and reintroduced myself since there were many new faces/ attendees.
Reflection for Group 1
I reviewed/introduced “Hello” in Mandarin with the waving motion and applied the repeat-after-me system. This worked for majority of the students.
Next, I gave a basic overview of fan dancing and allowed for students to begin/continue customizing their fans. Looking back, I wish I allotted more time for them to work on this, which I will for my lesson with Group 2.
Reflection for Group 1
Adding the counting from 1-10 module to the introductory lesson was far more challenging for the students.
Students stated the highest number they could count up to was between 25-35. Since I was teaching Chinese numbers up to 10, I anticipated counting would not be an entirely new concept for them.
Reflection for Group 1
I displayed an image with the numerical version, pronunciation, and Chinese characters. However, the students quickly lost interest. This was all too new to them. I believe adding a brain break here would have been beneficial.
Reflection for Group 1
I switched gears and proceeded to hand out colored papers for a Writing and Arts Session.
Students created posters for their chosen number. This proved challenging, as many students struggled without a dotted version of the characters, which is something else I will change for my next lesson. After some more encouragement they successfully completed their posters.
Classroom Sound bites / Light Bulb Moment:
Student Statement: “The number 8 sounds like the noise a sheep makes!”
Feedback and Emotions for Group 1
Homeroom Teacher Feedback: Provide dotted outline versions of what I want students to write in Chinese. Use a song to reinforce the numbers they are learning in Mandarin.
Take away: Too many modules to teach preschoolers late in the afternoon is not a recipe for success. Adding brain breaks could help in future scenarios.
My Feelings & Assessment: I did not walk-away as upbeat post-session. Planned lessons were not as effective in today’s setting. Kids had been outside of school all day prior to class. Not as much energy/ eagerness to sit and learn. However, it was fun to be around the adorable preschoolers.
Reflections - Group 2
Reflection for Group 2
Applying the Group 1 feedback from the homeroom teachers visibly improved the learning outcome for Group 2.
I began the class with SEL and re-introduced myself.
We reviewed the phrase “你好“ or “Hello.”
Reflection for Group 2
Next, I taught them about fan dancing and the importance of it in Chinese performing arts.
I made sure to give them more time to customize their fans which sparked creativity and conversation.
Reflection for Group 2
Taking the Teachers’ advice, I prepared dotted versions of the number sheets with Chinese characters, pinyin pronunciation, and the numerical version in English to help the students visually make the connection to Mandarin.
The number signs were a hit! Students were engaged. We went around the table, to review each person’s selected number. This made each student feel special.
Once we reviewed the numbers, they traced the dotted lines of their Chinese character. Lots of repetition helped everyone to at least remember their number in the Chinese character form.
Reflection for Group 2
My goal was for all the students to be able to sing the entire song by the end of the program.
Many impressed us by independently singing the song at the end of this session.
To close this session, I played a Mandarin number song and encouraged the preschoolers to sing and dance if they wanted.
Feedback and Emotions for Group 2
Homeroom Teacher Feedback: Teachers provided positive feedback on this session. They appreciated that I implemented their feedback from the previous day’s (Group 1) session so quickly. I implemented videos and songs as they suggested to keep the group engaged. This enhanced the students’ understanding of the material covered.
Take away: Making adjustments to meet students where they are is important. Staying positive when plans do not turn as expected is key in working through challenges.
My Feelings & Assessment: The one hour class flew by! The students were engaged and energized the room. I could not stop smiling as the students remembered and sang the numbers song effortlessly in Mandarin as they left the session.
BLANK SLIDE