Special Guest!

This week Wei Li (Rosie's mom) came in to talk about China, the country she comes from. We first found China on the globe and noticed that it is shaped like a rooster! Wei also showed us what a Chinese passport looks like compared to a U.S. passport. Kids were excited to see Chinese writing in children's books Wei brought, particularly the familiar story of the Three Little Pigs.  Wei also told us that in China, along with using a pen or pencil to write, students learn to use a special calligraphy brush to make the Chinese characters in this beautiful art of writing.

Wei showed us a picture of a Chinese dragon and she brought a small dragon sculpture to pass around.  She told us that unlike European dragons which are quite greedy and fire breathing, Chinese dragons had homes underwater and brought water to villages in need at the bidding of the Jade Emperor.  Wei also brought beautiful silk weavings from China. Students were surprised to learn that this soft, smooth material is actually produced by silk worms!

We got to see intricate and artistic Chinese knots.Their red color is a symbol for good luck.  And because they Chinese character for fish (yu 鱼) is pronounced the same as the Chinese character for surplus(yu 余),  the fish symbol is frequently used to symbolize the wish for abundance. This makes the fish shaped bank so very appropriate!

Wei demonstrated the way to use chopsticks. Many of the students have tried their hands using these utensils, but picked up some good pointers on how to be more successful with them. And at the end of her visit, Wei played the "Jasmine Flower" song the kids have been learning in Music class with Mr. Roper in its original Chinese. The kids were very excited to sing along!

Enjoy the pictures below. Thank you Wei!