For two years now, living in China, has been good. But this year, I caught pharyngitis from one of the children at school, which also turned into a head cold. I was down for three days. But even sickness can't keep a good woman down. Ha Ha Ha.
I landed up going back to school after three days and had to wear a mask so not to infect other teachers and children, although I was on the mend. But also that I did not catch anything from the children still coming to school with symptoms of sickness.
I was amused to find out that the number 250 in China is a bad number. It means that you are stupid. So if something cost 250 yuan the person taking the money will only charge you 249.99 yuan because they don't want to be a stupid. And if they have 250 yuan in their purses they will add a few more cents so that they don't just have 250 yuan in their purse. Vivian says that if you do something silly you can just say 'I'm a 250'.
Vivian came over for some lunch one Saturday. She is such a lovely girl. Kerry and Sarah set to work on her, doing her make up and her nails. She said she felt like she was in a spa.
I landed up going back to school after three days and had to wear a mask so not to infect other teachers and children, although I was on the mend. But also that I did not catch anything from the children still coming to school with symptoms of sickness.
I was amused to find out that the number 250 in China is a bad number. It means that you are stupid. So if something cost 250 yuan the person taking the money will only charge you 249.99 yuan because they don't want to be a stupid. And if they have 250 yuan in their purses they will add a few more cents so that they don't just have 250 yuan in their purse. Vivian says that if you do something silly you can just say 'I'm a 250'.
Vivian came over for some lunch one Saturday. She is such a lovely girl. Kerry and Sarah set to work on her, doing her make up and her nails. She said she felt like she was in a spa.
In China, when a couple decides to get married, long before the wedding day, they organise to have their wedding photos taken. They pose with different wedding dresses on in different scenery's. They also usually look so different all dressed up. This is Vivian and her husband during their wedding photos. What a lovely bride.
Then a couple of weeks later they go and get married in the courts, or official building. Usually it is just the two of them. Then they will organise their weddings. Vivian will be having about five weddings. Two in her home town, two in her husbands home town, and one in Rizhao for her and his work colleagues.
Yesterday we had an in-service day for the teachers. So the children don't come to school. It was pouring cats and dogs. I was drenched by the time I got to school. Thank goodness my Jack Wolfskin jack is waterproof and kept my upper half dry.
Each teacher had to present an activity for 20minutes. It was very interesting. We also skyped another campus to get to know the program Mathletics. It is a good program for teachers to use in their classrooms as well as to assign homework. And for the children to do their assessments on there as well as soon as you have finished the concept you are teaching. Here are some photos of the training.
A short ice breaker before we begin.
Mihaela (ECE Teacher) spoke on 'Effective questioning in the classroom using Bloom's Taxonomy'
I spoke on using Flip File Games in the classroom and how it benefits EAL children.
I gave each teacher a flip file game to make.
Sunny (ECE Chinese Teacher) demonstrated how she teaches the little ones Chinese sight words. And played a little stepping stone game with us.
Vivian (Upper Primary Chinese Teacher) taught us some Chinese character writing as she would have demonstrated with her learners.
Ning Ning (Lower Primary Chinese teacher) demonstrated how she taught phonics in her classroom. We also played a few games she plays with the children.
Chris (Upper Primary teacher) demonstrated 'Wake Up Shake Up' that she does with the children every Monday morning.
And then since all the children were away, I took the opportunity to organise a wedding shower for Vivian, western style. The Chinese staff were eager to see how this was going to happen. But it turned out quite lovely. Thanks to the staff that helped set up. (Ning Ning said that these types of games usually also get played after the wedding when all the guests leave and then they are played between the family and best friends.)
What a surprise
Vivian loving it.
When did you organise all of this?
Best of friends !!
Presenting her a recipe book I made and all the staff gave their favourite recipe to paste into the book.
We had to write a date night idea.
We had to pass on some good advice for a happy marriage.
Everyone had to guess the amount of Hershey's kisses and the closest number won.
Signing our names of who attended.
We ordered pizza for eats and some snacks.
A game where the guests had to guess if it was the Bride or Groom?
The recipe book that was handed to Vivian.
There were about 8 wooden spoons lying around with some 'Love Sayings' written on them.
On the 1 November, Paul and the girls left for Shanghai, and will be there till the 26 November. Kerry has to write her exams in Shanghai but they are spread out over the month. They are having a blast. I miss them dearly. So when they come back I will be writing another page in my blog. Till next time ..... keep reading.
