Field trip to China

I finally submitted my field trip proposal to school. One of my students yelled out "You are an awesome teacher!" after I showed them the trip plan. Well, I was really honored to receive such compliment, but I have to say, without students' enthusiasm I wouldn't have pulled all these together.

At the end of last quarter, I introduced my hometown to my students, and some of them wished to see it by themselves, the idea of having the field trip to China just jumped in my mind, like thousands of other ideas which ended no where. But this time was different. Many of them kept asking me whether I started the plan or not, just like everyday I check their homework.

Nothing would have been done if they haven't pushed me so far. Now looking at the whole trip plan, I'm really proud and can't wait to go as if it's the first time for me to travel to China as well.

After the field trip, we will hold a Chinese week in school, in which students can show their work and share the experience with their peers. I'm sure it will be a wonderful experience for both me and my students.

Below is our field trip plan, I found an educational tour agency in Beijing called Wild China, I told them the places I want to visit, and they pulled everything together perfectly.

Day 1
Shanghai Le Tour Traveler’s Rest Youth Hostel
D
Afternoon: Arrive at Pudong International Airport;
take the Maglev train to terminal station;
ascend to the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center;
enjoy a boat trip on the Huangpu River
Evening: Dinner; evening walk on Nanjing Road
Day 2
Shanghai – Hangzhou Emerald Hostel
B, L, D
Morning: Visit Yuyuan and explore Chenghuangmiao
Afternoon: Lunch; visit the Tianzifang neighborhood;
take train G7319 (1600/1645) to Hangzhou
Evening: Dinner at White Deer; visit local night market
Day 3
Hangzhou Emerald Hostel
B, L, D
Morning/Afternoon: School exchange; visit Hangzhou Silk Market
Evening: Dinner; Karaok in Kaige
Day 4
Hangzhou
Emerald Hostel
B, L, D
Morning: Bike riding at Xixi Wetlands
Afternoon: Transfer to Longjing tea village;
learn tea making process and tea tasting;
return to Hanghzou
Evening: Green tea dinner; Enjoy Impression West Lake
Day 5
Shanghai – Hangzhou N/A
B, L
Morning: Take train G7306 (0900/0945) to Shanghai;
transfer to Xintiandi; early lunch and free time
Afternoon: Transfer to Pudong International Airport; depart Shanghai

Santa Claus is coming to town!

When we had a department meeting last month, some teachers suggested to have a informal Christmas song competition among all the foreign language classes. I wasn't a big fan of it. I am not a big Christmas fan, and I can't think of any Christmas song in Chinese........ Well, I admit I was too lazy.

French class was practicing the song "Santa clause is coming to town", our French teacher is beautiful and romantic, she even designed a cute dance to go with the song. One day before the exam week, one of my students who had given up on me finally found the same song in Chinese, and sent the youtube link to me.

Well, let's do it!

Yesterday after the big final exam, students all excited about the coming winter holiday. We only had 15 minutes to practice the song,I was really amazed by their enthusiasm, they nailed it!

We went to the French classroom, it is tiny and cozy, by the time we arrived there, there was another math class. We sang the song in French and Chinese, many of the French class students also study Chinese as well, so when we sang the Chinese version, they all joined in together. In the end, we all sang "The moon represents my heart" in Chinese, it's probably the most well known foreign song in our school.
More than 40 foreign students packed in a small classroom and sang the song in Chinese, it's absolutely one of the most beautiful things I ever seen in my life.

Thanks to the Santa Clause, I have decided next year we will sing the same song, and ask students to design their own dance.

It was really fun :))))))))))))