New Teacher

Welcome students!!

This is the new teacher, Mr. Kiger.  I am very excited to be your new teacher! 



I did want to let you know what my expectations are for homework. 

My personal feeling is that homework is meant for practicing what you learn.  So, I don't believe in grading homework.  It is your responsibility to correct your answers and try your best when practicing what you learn.  You will gain the knowledge and points for trying.

I will keep you posted with more information of the exams and class.

Once again, welcome!  I am truly happy to be your teacher!

ZHONGGUO...

LAST TEACHING WEEK IN CHINA!

EXAM, PARTY AND ORPHANAGE...

1. Exam: A written exam will be given the week of June 5-7, please study ALL the papers I gave you this semester. Also look at your Challenge to Speak Book 1: Units 1, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 (study only the Notes Sections/ Cultural Background at the end of each Unit). Challenge to Speak Book 2: Units 2 (Notes Section only), Unit 12 (Read all of it ). Please call me if you don't understand sth. Do not wait until the day of the exam!

2. Class party the week of June 12-16!
Monitors are in charge of the planning and preparation. This website has pictures of 70's decorations and costumes, http://www.all4parties.co.uk/theme_kit_60s_and_70s.htm

Where: the classroom, When: June 12-16, Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
What: 70’s Costume Party, Why: Ms. Graham’s return to America, her birthday, and your semester well done! Also I was born in the 70's so I would like to celebrate that era with you! Bring: your camera because there will be time to take pictures!, Requirements: Speaking English only

Here are some ideas for the party...
Gifts: DO NOT GIVE ME ANY GIFTS! I DON'T HAVE ANY ROOM TO CARRY THEM TO AMERICA! INSTEAD GIVE A DONATION TO THE ORPHANGE. I AM ASKING THE MONITORS TO COLLECT THIS MONEY. See this website for more information: http://www.xanga.com/little_lambs

Decorating: Think flower party meets disco glitter. 70's themed decorations include: smiley face stickers and pictures (bright yellow faces with dark dots for eyes and mouth) decorate in colors such as orange, yellow, brown and split-pea-green. What is a 70's theme party without a disco ball hanging from the ceiling (a large silver ball)! This website shows you how to make one: http://www.ehow.com/how_4570_make-cd-disco.html

Costumes: (clothes and accessories):
•Orange and brown sports jacket, t-shirts with bell-bottomed pants, bowling shirts, white-cotton pants or blue jeans, flower-covered skirts, shorts with white socks that go up to your knee, wire-rimmed glasses, zippers on your clothes
•(shoes): bright colored sneakers, platform shoes, cowboy boots
•(makeup) bright colors especially pink and light blue
•(hair for boys): think big, feathered ,frizzy or spikey, (hair for girls): feathered, pigtails, side pony tail (see the woman on the left).

Activities: 70's question and answer games, provide primary paint colors, brushes and several large pieces of paper and invite classmates to create sth together, dancing, songs, games and more!

Music: Anything from the 70’s, you will sing “You’ve Got a Friend” for me and I will sing one song for you.

3. Orphanage: Don't forget to support the surgeries for babies who have cleft mouth problems. Any amount you donate is welcomed. The last date for collecting any of your donations is June 10. I AM REMINDING CLASS MONITORS TO COLLECT THIS MONEY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! See http://www.xanga.com/little_lambs for more information.

WEEK 13 FRIENDSHIP

As of today, donations for my little lambs blog is 1897RMB!! Keep on giving, don't stop, there are more items available. It's never too much. Recently someone said, these kids break your heart and run with it! They certainly got me...
   

I'm asking of my students to take part in this effort. Come by my apartment and purchase some dongxi (writing utencils for 1rmb, stationary for 2-5rmb and more) or give a donation; any amount will do!

Take a look at the little_lambs website and if you have questions, see me in class!

www.xanga.com/little_lambs

Friendship Lesson:
What is a friend? This week's HW is for you to write your own definition of the word. Don't use your dictionary; just write what it means to you!

In our class survey you said that honesty and loyalty are the most important traits in a friend.

There are so many words to describe friend in Chinese. In one class, a list of ten words was given including (pengyou, the rest I will add later).

Circle of Friends: Inner circle = you, next inner circle = best friends, next inner circle = friends, next inner circle= acquaintances and outside of all circles= strangers

Do you have people that fit into all of those circles? It is important to know that there are different levels of friendship and that just because you have seen someone it doesn't mean you know them. You should also not tell someone you don't know that you love them; love is a word that is used with some not ALL close/best friends and hardly used with "common friends".

Friendship Proverbs:
·         Everyone’s friend is no one’s friend.
·         A false friend and a shadow stay only while the sun shines.
·         A false friend is worse than an open enemy.
·         Lend your money and lose your friend.
·         A man is known by the company he keeps.
·         Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the other, gold.
·         One is never a friend by force.
·         Friends are those people who ask you how you are and wait for an answer.
·         A friend is the person who knows all about you and still loves you.
·         Hold a true friend with both of your hands.