Week 23

Dear parents and students,

We have had a very full week ahead of the CNY break, complete with a Poetry Slam, Chinese New Year activities, a Science test, and Valentine’s Day celebrations.

In our Reading and Writing Workshop, we read a number of poems and decided which styles we liked best. We then used these models as inspiration to write our own poems, which we then recited before the class in our first ever “Poetry Slam” (recital). We will continue with poetry after the break, before we spend some time reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and celebrate 150 years since the book’s first publication.

In Maths, we have continued our study of decimals, and how one tiny little decimal point can make an enormous difference to the value of a number. A test for Topic 13 is scheduled for the first day back after the break, so there is plenty of time to do some review. After the test, we will take a break from numeration, and focus on perimeter and area as we begin Topic 14.

We have spent several weeks studying Earth Science, and have closed that unit with a test. In the second week back after the break, we will have a chance to see some real and genuine effects of an earthquake when we take a field trip to visit the Taichung Earthquake Museum, which rests on the site of a school that was devastated by the earthquake of September 21^st, 1999. At the museum, we will be taken on a tour by an English speaking guide, and learn more about how earthquakes occur, what the effects can be, and what measures can be taken to survive an earthquake, including the modern technology used to build earthquake resistant buildings. A form will be sent home during the first week back with details of the schedule and cost for the field trip.

Amongst all of this, we have also enjoyed a number of activities for Chinese Week and Valentine’s Day. Slideshows have been included below this newsletter for your enjoyment.

I hope you all enjoy the Chinese New Year holiday, and I look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, 24^th February.

Happy New Year of the Goat!

新年快樂！  恭禧發財！

Xin nian kuai le! Gong xi fa cai!

Dates to Remember:

·       February 14-23             – Chinese New Year break

·       Tue, Feb 24                         – School resumes

–      Spelling test

–      Maths test: Topic 13

·       Wed, Feb 25                         – Semester 2 Clubs begin

·       Fri, Feb 27                         – Peace Day Holiday 2/28 (on the 27^th!) – no school!

·       Wed, March 4^th             – Field trip to Taichung Earthquake Museum

Chinese Paper Lanterns

Chinese Week

Valentine's Day