5th Grade 9/2-9/12 2012

We were learning about the human body for the past two weeks. My 5th graders were very engaged and I was happy to see it. We had respiratory, circulatory system and digestive system lab.

Students took turns to be a little doctor with the stethoscpoe to learn how does a normal breathing sounds look like. It is hard for them because they didn't have any experiences before. But all the students can find it and hear it after the practice, some said it sounds creepy, some said it is weird and some even siad it is scary. But they all had fun and they do know how hard to be a doctor to help others.

We also had a digestive system lab. We put different items such as real prairie dogs bones, egg shells, gum and muffin into Coca-Cola and real human body enzyme solution. They also have questions about what's gonna happen if we drink too much coke, or swallow a gum. They best way for them is to show them. We only keep the reactions for a week becasue that is enough. Students saw the change on different items that they usally eat or drink. Also they saw the impact too.

                                                                    after one week

For math, we did a little shopping in the class. Students need to make their money and purchase the thing they would like to buy from me. Then they need to sell it to make a profit. The reason for having this activity is because students was not sure what does profit mean in their math question. Such as Mr. Yao paid 2 dollars to buy a cake and sold it wtih 4 dollars. I am supposed to earn 2 dollars since I paid 2 for that. But they think I should earn 4, because I sold it with 4 dollars. We talked about this idea during the game, how to save the money and how to make the biggest profit, either you earned the most cash or buy the highest value product. I am glad they all got it. It is a very important lesson for all the students, they need to know how to save money without spending it easily.

They received their Chinese name on Sep 1st. I spend a month to observe each student and I choose the best character that eitehr fits their personality or my expectation for them. They used to only have their Chinese nick name, such as 小麗。 But from now on, they have real Chinese last name and a first name. Please do make sure to ask your child what does it mean.

Time passed fast. It is mid september already. I will keep helping students to have the best education.