It was a wonderful celebration today between Pre K and 5th grade students as we got together to share gifts and snacks for the last time in 2011. As always I was proud of the way the 5th graders looked out for their reading buddies, putting their arms around them, helping them choose food and open presents and later on outside. After our snacks were finished with and we were all on a bit of a sugar high, it was time to burn off some energy in the playground so we took off with books in hand. The reading lasted for around ten minutes and then the lure of the swings took over. I’m not sure who had more fun pushing who but there was lots of laughing and running, squealing and shouting as our Reading Buddies made the most of their time together. We will miss Michelle from 5KP and Rebekah from Pre K when we get together again after the Holidays. Keep safe girls and never forget your great mates back in SAS Pudong. Happy Holidays boys and girls, see you in 2012.
Monthly Archives: December 2011
Last Post of 2011
2.5 days to go… the countdown is well and truly on!
I introduced the Secret Santa idea to your children ten days ago, and most of them have been swapping presents, doing kind deeds and leaving small gifts around for each other. Tomorrow is the day they are supposed to play Secret Santa at our 5KP classroom party and give a wrapped gift to their classmate.
Many of them had also bought something to give their reading buddy when we went to Santa’s Workshop, so I encouraged the rest of them to buy something very small for our Reading Buddies party tomorrow… party, party, party!
I bought some ‘back up’ gifts just now, as I talked to a couple of students this afternoon who were not sure they had anything yet… but hopefully, most or all of them are organized and don’t let their ‘receiver’ down tomorrow.
Thanks for your help, I know this is a busy time of year for you all; I tried to put the responsibility on the students, not you, but I know that is not always the case (my daughter is also participating!!!)
As you travel around, probably by plane, during the holiday season, keep in mind our Roots and Shoots Program.
Zero Emission Travel is a chance for families to give back to the Earth by offsetting carbon output from family travel. Simply 25 RMB can plant one tree in Inner Mongolia and remove 250 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Donation envelopes can be picked up from ES, MS, or HS offices starting from Jan 4, 2012, and will also be handed out. A donation will place your name in the EAGLE magazine, and a tree with your name on it on a paper cutout version of the Inner Mongolian forest. For more details please visit: www.tinyurl.com/0carbon.
Depending on when your child is leaving for the holidays…
Wednesday and Thursday-Math Test
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday-Essays are Due
Here are the ASA Dates for the New Year along with who is doing what; paper copies will be sent home with your child before the vacation but I know they sometimes get misplaced with the excitement of the holidays!
Happy Holidays, Keep Safe and see you in January (Bye Bye Michelle… Don’t be a stranger!)
The Power of One
This morning, thanks to a link sent to me by my friend and colleague, Tina Bui, our class departed from their essay writing for a wee while to check out something special going on in the world; kids their age making a difference.
We went to the Huffington Post where the students spent twenty minutes looking through the short snapshots about 11 kids who made a difference in 2011. Students then followed more links to read about children who raised money, gave of their time, and inspired change in others and then wrote about who they thought was the most inspirational and why, on their own blogs. Take some time to read who your child admires; it is always inspiring reading about other people who do good; something all of us could learn from.
It was interesting to see who the kids chose; did they choose the person who raised the most money, the one who was the youngest… what about the 11 kids on screen really affected your child? Was it the issue? Have a conversation with your child, about the Power of One.
News of the Moment
Rain Rain Go Away…
Nothing could dampen the kids spirits yesterday as they were very excited about seeing the Picasso Exhibition. Thank you to Mia’s Mum for joining us, and Mr. Power too; I know the students benefited from your knowledge and guidance as we walked through the fantastic gallery. I was impressed with the students’ behavior and commend you on your field-trip etiquette 5KP.
As 2011 draws to a close, there are a few things we need to do to wrap up the school year…
We need to say goodbye to Michelle, one of our best bloggers, who is sadly leaving us for the Puxi campus. If anyone else knows they are leaving, could they please e mail me asap. On the same note, please e mail to let me know if your child will not be here on Friday the 16th of December, a half day, or of course if they are leaving even earlier than that as we have lessons and activities planned until the very last hour.
Between now and then, we will finish our First Essay for the year and be tested on our Fraction Skills in our Unit 5 test. Our students have enjoyed their ‘homework free week’ so perhaps over the weekend or certainly next week, they need to brush up on their ability to:
* Find equivalent fractions
* Convert between fractions and mixed numbers
* Convert between fractions and percents
* Add fractions
* Order and compare fractions
* Estimate value in circle graphs
* Measure sectors of a circle graph
* Construct circle graphs from data
Our Unit Test will be on Wednesday or Thursday, before Winter Break no matter what!
Well done to the 5 Eagle Leaders from 5KP on a wonderfully rewarding trip to Chongming Island to give out the Giving Tree bags to students who really appreciated the generosity of our SAS students; thanks to those of you who contributed, it was a humbling experience to witness the joy on the childrens’ faces as they received many things that our children take for granted. Never stop giving 5KP, it feels so good.
Tomorrow, it is business as usual as we work through our Science Lego Unit, our Fractions and our Essays. Remember to wear your house shirts, return your ASA forms and bring cash for Santa’s Last Day at SAS… Happy Friday!



