Wednesday, December 15, 2010

圣诞节快乐!

圣诞节快乐! Merry Christmas!
You may be wondering...how do you say Santa Clause in Chinese? Well, this is a very important question! Here it is 圣诞老人 sheng4 dan4 lao3 ren2. That's right. You got it. Remember, practice makes perfect.

2nd graders - Please don't forget to work on your vocabulary writing. Here is the list. Go ahead! Dazzle your visiting grandparents and cousins with your lovely Chinese characters
小 xiao3 small
大 da4 big
男 nan2 man
不 bu4 no
百 bai3 100
千 qian1 1000
茶 cha2 tea

3rd graders - I have included some super duper Chinese words for the Winter Break. Here you go...
中国 zhong1 guo2 China
门 men4 door
下 xia4 down
上 shang4 up
天 tian1 sky
你 ni3 you
好 hao3 good

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Winter Concert & Chinese Singing



Ni Hao Chinese Learners! How lovely, lovely the K-2 Chinese students sing. It was like little angels had entered our gym and sang a darling Chinese song. The children have been singing their little hearts out since September learning this tongue twisting song. To remember all those Chinese words took a lot of brain power! It was nice to see all the students and teachers dressed up in their Christmas clothes and nice shoes. The concert was beautiful and the gymnasium looked magical. I was certainly proud of my little students!

2nd graders learned Yoga today in Chinese class. Yes, yes. Yoga is not traditionally Chinese. But you can certainly do yoga poses that look like Chinese characters! Want to try it? Try positioning your body to look like these characters.



Did you figure something out? Come by my classroom and show me your "Chinese Yoga"!

Happy holidays and remember...practice what you know.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

2nd Grade Vocabulary List

2nd Grade Vocabulary List.
Try practicing the following vocabulary at home!
Practice makes perfect!

田 field
刀 knife
不 no
百 100
千 1,000
男 man
茶 tea
大 big


Can you find a word inside the word to the right? Look carefully and you will see one of your vocabulary words hidden inside the word. This lovely word means Beauty!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Student Request



Lot's of the Keiki Chinese have been asking for a picture of my dog. Well fans, here it is. Mushu Dragon looking up at me with eyes that say "time for a cookie". Mushu Dragon had a lovely Thanksgiving and even had a few table scraps. Life is good.

I hope all the Keiki Chinese have had a nice vacation with their family. See you tomorrow at school!


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

写汉字

2nd graders have been learning to write using traditional Chinese notebooks just like the ones Chinese grade schoolers use. Students have done a great job learning to write numbers and even complicated words such as stone 石 and mountain 山. Practice makes perfect! Students take time to write every single time they visit the Chinese classroom. Wow! Just think how good they will be in a few years!

3rd grade Keiki French students dropped by the Chinese room yesterday. Keiki French sang a lovely French song and shared a little about French festivals. Keiki Chinese sang Ni Wa Wa and played instruments. Keiki Chinese even shared a little about Kung Fu (one of our favorite subjects!).

Abigail and Cole have beautiful singing voices. The children have been practicing for the Winter Concert. Moreover, singing is a very good method for learning a language. Hey! Kids have even learned how to say "please don't talk". One little friend make a funny joke and said, "Laoshi, please don't talk" in Chinese. The class all giggled and even I had to give a nice belly laugh. What sweet children we have and how fun it is to learn and sing!

Happy Thanksgiving to you! Remember...practice what you know.


Wednesday, November 10, 2010























Le Jardin Academy had some very special guests this week. Our school was visited by the Kagoshima Fisheries Senior High School in Japan. Our LJA High School students got to experience a thrilling karate demonstration as well as learn about the Kagoshima Fisheries Senior High School and the vessel the students live, learn, and work on. These students are working diligently to become engineers, ship captains, and much more in the technical marine biology field. Our very own Chinese Level I student, 花大姐, speaks fluent Japanese and served as a tour guide and translator during the event. Mr. Allan and the Headmast of Kagoshima Fisheries High School visited the Chinese Department after the presentation and refreshments. The visiting students were certainly friendly and well mannered. Our LJA students got a chance to mingle and get to know a few of the Japanese students.


We are currently scheduling a Saturday afternoon outing to the Dragon Garden Bonsai Nursery (http://dragongardennursery.com/). Students and family members will be treated to an afternoon tour of the lovely nursery deep in the Waimanalo Valley with an accompanying class on creating your very own bonsai. Children (siblings welcome!) will get hands on practice. Families will have the opportunity to purchase their own supplies to build their own bonsai or purchase one already started. Mr. Liu will be our teacher and tour guide. Mr. Liu has published serveral books on the art of bonsai and has lectured all over Asia and the United States on this lovely gardening hobby. A sign up letter will be sent home with your child. Date and time to be announced. $5 per child. Adults are free. Siblings welcome.


Interested in shadow puppetry? Students have been enjoying to speak Chinese with shadow puppets. Almost every morning I find more and more shadow puppet that children lovingly created and carefully left on my desk. Today after character writing practice 2nd grade students were treated to a traditional Chinese puppet show from Youtube. With this video students have a up close view of what happens behind the scenes of a Shadow Puppet Show in China. Want to view it from home? Just go to Youtube.com and search "Chinese shadow theatre - backstage by tpventi. Enjoy!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Learning & Performing


LJA Keiki Chinese learners certainly help me out with my puppetry! 小龙 and 小老鼠 created these lovely shadow puppets. I really like they way the artists used color to enhance the shadow! Laoshi did a little snip, snip, snipping with the scissors to create a little more definition with the puppets and then we dove right into a show! 1st graders are starting to learn the words for family members. The dragon is the 哥哥 (ge1 ge big brother) who forgot who he was after bumping his head on the playground. The other animals had to fly into action to help 哥哥 remember who he was and find his way home.

Elan Molina especially liked the puppet show because he is a 哥哥 and even has a 弟弟 (di4 di little brother). Elan takes really good care of his 弟弟。Are you a 哥哥 or a 弟弟?

I thought you might enjoy this photograph of 小龙 and my dog, Cookie Monster. Cookie Monster and 小龙 became instant friends. Congrats to Representative Corinne Ching (Anna's mom) on her Nov 4 win! We are proud of you Representative Ching!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Excellent Learners!



What curious Chinese learners we have at LJA! This Chinese teacher could not be more proud!

Wai Han brought his Lucky Bamboo tree to school today. What a lovely plant he is growing. Students have really taken an interest in Chinese Lucky Bamboo trees and bonsai. Every day students take time to mist the bonsai. Remember, always mist your bonsai. Never pour water on your beautiful little tree!

2nd graders had loads of laughs reviewing characters by playing hopscotch. Laoshi likes to make the game harder and harder and harder! WOW! The students just keep rising to the top! Hey, I have an idea...get some sidewalk chalk, go outside, and write some beautiful Chinese words on the sidewalk. You neighbors will be dazzled by the simple beauty of Chinese characters.

Kindergarteners were introduced to the world of Kung Fu Jian (kung fu sword) today. This beautiful form of exercise is widely practiced by all ages in China. In China, the jian is known as one of the four weapons used in traditional Kung Fu. Some even say the jian is derived from a common kitchen knife! These swords have long, straight blades that are not sharp (for practicing). It is thought that once a student has mastered the jian he or she is quite accomplished in Wu Shu (martial arts). Kindergarteners go to hold the jian and even see Laoshi practice her routine. Next Kindergarteners will learn another form of Chinese Wu Shu (martial arts) called Kung Fun Shang Zi (Fan Kung Fu).



Monday, November 1, 2010

Common Classroom Objects


Want to learn the Chinese word common objects around the classroom? This should get you started.

水 shui3 water

门 men2 door

废物 fei1 wu4 rubbish


Students have also enjoyed learning our new song Ni Wa Wa (Little Rag Doll). You can practice at home with this link. Enjoy a song with your xiao pengyou! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpMCoavHQws


Friday, October 29, 2010

Chinese Halloween?















Chinese Halloween? In China it is called the Ghost Festival. Some say this festival finds its origins in Chinese Buddhism, others claim the origins to be deeply rooted in Chinese folk religion. But what is the Ghost Festival? Good question! On this day it is believed that ghosts and spirits visit the human realm. Ghost Festival is unlike the Chinese Qingming Festival and Chung Yuen Festival. During the Qingming and Chung Yuen Festivals descendants honor their deceased ancestors. Traditional activities during the Ghost Festival include burning incense, joss paper, and papier-mache items in the form of every day items such as clothes and fine good. These activities are conducted for the pleasure and entertainment of the visiting ancestors.

Another Chinese festival with ghosts includes buying and releasing miniature boats on the water. The miniature boats and lanterns signify directions for the lost ghosts and spirits of ancestors. More on that festival later!

Do our Chinese friends share candy during Ghost Festival like we do during Halloween? The Ghost Festival tradition is a little different. Rather then candy eating, families prepare a big vegetarian feast and set places at the table for their ghost ancestors. Wow! Now that could get interesting!

Have a safe and happy Halloween! And remember...practice what you know.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Hop, Hop, Learn


Learning Chinese simply must be all fun and games! Here you see 小朋友 jump, jump, jumping to learn new words. When 老师 (lao3 shi1) says a word, kids have to jump, jump to the correct picture card. And everyone knows how 老师 likes to make it harder and harder! 2nd grade students are having barrels of fun learning new vocabulary. Want to try? Here are a few new words for you to practice at home:

汉字 Han4 zi Chinese character
中文 Zhong1 wen2 Chinese written language
拼音 pin1 yin1 Chinese romanization

Stay tuned for an audio flashcard. Remember...you must always LISTEN to Chinese to LEARN Chinese!

Good Luck 好运 (hao3 yun4)


Wednesday, October 27, 2010

They Speak Chinese!


Those crazy high schoolers just don't get enough air-time on this blog! What about 小猫猫 and 大龙? Both seniors suffer from certifiable cases of the Senior Blues are excellent Chinese speakers! these power-house seniors enjoy memorizing vocabulary, writing thousands of Chinese characters, and especially like daily quizzes! Oh, did I mention they favor Kung Fu movies and Chinese soap operas?

Yes, LJA also has a High School Mandarin Chinese Department. This active department chalked full of eager students who are self-motivated learners. Level I and II students even have their own class monitors (Josh I. and Miranda A.) to help Laoshi. Level III and IV students are a talkative and friendly bunch of self starting and accomplished Mandarin speakers that would make any Chinese teacher proud to send to represent our good country in the Chinese speaking world.

So there you have it folks, LJA High Schoolers Rock! Keep up the good work kids!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Chinese Geography

你好中文的学生! Time to learn some Chinese geography! Can you find Beijing on this map? You found it? Good job! Now try to find Taiwan. Did you find it? Good job! Now, try to find the Great Wall of China. I will give you a hint. It is a blue line. Can you see it? Good job! My how very smart my 小学生 are! Luck me!

Speaking of The Great Wall of China. 1st graders have been having a lot of fun learning Chinese geography and hearing stories about Huang Di and all his expeditions around China. Google the city Xian, China and be prepared for a very be learning adventure! 

Thursday, September 23, 2010

3rd Graders & Lucky Bamboo







Third graders had a lovely surprise yesterday! Mrs. LarRieu generously donated her time and materials for students to celebrate Mid Autum Festival with moon cakes and creating their very own lucky bamboo plants. After munching moon cakes and creating miniture bamboo trees students set up a display outside show casing their little trees and authentic Chinese lanterns graciously donated by Stephan and Zachary Zagorski. WOW! What super students we have at LJA! Way to go Han Yu Learners! You are really thinking about Chinese culture outside the classroom!
Requests for lucky bamboo started rolling in from the LJA Ohana. Maintenance, Extended Day, and even the HR Department commented on the possibility of receiving one of these cheerful plants!
Mid Autum Festival also known as Moon Cake Festival is the celebration of the fall harvest and the coming of winter time! Chinese families get together to celebrate with a lovely feast and (of course) moon cake for desert!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Chinese Moon Festival











Chinese people all over the world enjoy eating moon cake and spending time with family during this time of year. 1st graders tasted moon cakes this morning. We also read the story of Chang Er the Moon Goddess.



Chinese moon cake is traditionally eaten during Moon Festival. Much like we eat pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. Hey, why not try something new and taste a Chinese moon cake this year!




















Friday, September 17, 2010

Chinese Moon Festival

Chinese Moon Festival

Ni Hao Chinese Learners! Chinese Moon Festival is right around the corner. Our class will be celebrating during the week of September 20. Click on the link above to see some highlight photos of how people in China and around the globe celebrate this lovely holiday!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010



Second and Third Graders are invited to create their own shadow puppet show using vocabulary...with a little English mixed in. Student shadow puppet shows must be no more than 2 or 3 minutes long.





I noticed the children really love the shadow puppets and wanted to do their own shows. That is when I decided one group (two children per group) could do a puppet show every other class period. So far the children have built their own shadow puppets and have invented immaginative and funny themes for their show.





Performances will begin tomorrow with the debut of Dragon and Dog Make Friends. All shows must be preapproved and prescheduled with laoshi. No show will be approved for performance on the same day. Students must schedule in advance.

First graders are having fun learning good bye, come back, and thank you. Students really enjoy the good bye come back game! What a fun way to learn new vocabulary.

Remember... practice what you know outside the classroom!

Monday, August 30, 2010


倪好学生! Parents have been asking me what they can do to help their little ones learn Chinese. My recommendation? Try visiting Chinatown to taste some new food and take your new vocbulary for a test drive. Drop in to a Chinese video store to rent a Chinese cartoon or comedy designed for children. Read The Monkey King with the entire family. Turn on Ni Hao Kailan. You might even want to pop into your local bookstore to browse their Chinese language section (just make sure you get a book with audio). My blog also has a list of online bookstores that have lots and lots of music, movies, learning material especially designed for little Chinese learners. Go for it! If it looks interesting...try it out!




Friday, August 27, 2010

Write Chinese Characters! Right On!



Have you ever wanted to write in Chinese? Don't you think Chinese writing is lovely? I certainly do!!
2nd graders have started the basics of Chinese character writing. And as always, I am amazed how smart these little bulldogs are! Students will be learning to write using traditional Chinese children's notebooks. You can see a sample of what a traditional children's notebook looks like in the picture above.
Did you know that Chinese writing is an artform? That's right! It is called calligraphy and some artists spend their entire life mastering this lovely art. A family trip to the Honolulu Academy of Arts will unveil the most lovely Chinese calligraphy Hawaii has to offer!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

怎么样 What's Up



School is back in full swing! I am the happiesr teacher in the entire world! My students are certainly learning, learning, learning! Wow!
Here is what the 2nd graders have been doing:
1. Learning Chinese stroke order in their new notebooks especially designed for Chinese
learners.
2. Character writing numbers 一 二 三 四 五 六 八 九 十
3。 New vocabulary: 汉字, 毛笔, 笔







Tuesday, August 17, 2010

欢迎你回来! Welcome Back! 







欢迎你回来!  I hope everyone had a nice summer vacation! Are you ready to learn a little Chinese? Well then, let's not waste any time and get right to it!
Here are your new vocabulary words to get you started.
Third Grade
老师早 lao3shi1 zao3 good morning teacher
晚安 wan3 an1 good night
Third Grade Words to Write