Lion Dance Rehearsal

Tuesday (25/01/2011)

a) Flash cards
• We read some words as a recap of what we have learnt. Example: lion dance, horn, beard, cookies, mandarin orange, monster, celebrate, drum, cymbal and etc.

b) Lion Dance Practice
• This coming Friday would be the last day of school before Chinese New Year holiday. Thus, we planned to perform a Lion Dance presentation together with the other 6 year old class. It is similar to any Lion dance performance when they visit a home or temple. First, they would greet the owners and then perform to eat the vegetable which it would spit ad keep the red “Ang Pow” packet instead. Next, they would peel the Mandarin orange and share with others.
• The kids chose the role they want to take part. Altogether, there are 4 Lion dances involve. 2 handmade while the other 2 belong to Jun Yu and Wee Hong. The others were involved with the equipment. First, we took turn to practise. Then, all teamed up at the living hall to rehearse. The kids were good and had fun!
• Weei Xiang and Wee Hong, Zhe Qing and Yun Xin, Wee Xuan and Qian Joe, Zhi Feng and Rei Ng were the lion performers. Little Buddha: Tzen Yu and Xiang Wei. Drummer: Chun Kit. Tamborine player: Soon yu and Alisa. Cymbal: Zheng Yuan and Kwong Yong. Lion dance assistants are Chia Yen, Xing Tong, Jia Xun and Yee Xuan.

c) Invitation
• On Friday afternoon, we decided to invite 6 year old friends to our class for CNY celebration. The class voted and more than half prefer 6 year old class to 4 and 5 year old. We discussed activities to carry out. We would have some food and the kids requested to play the huge ball game. The players who dropped the ball would have their face painted. We will also sing our favourite English version of Chinese New Year song.

Chinese New Year Card

Friday ( 21/01/2011)

a) Zodiac Animal Story
Teacher: does anyone know about this story?
• The kids were not sure thus, I shared the story with them. That allows them to understand the animal sequence better.
• The king of China wanted a proper Chinese calendar. Thus, he suggested a competition among animals to swim across a long river. The first 12 animals would be named as the years.
• The ox could swim across and allow the rat and cat to sit on its back. Upon reaching the finishing line, the rat pushed the cat into the water. The rat the jumped to the line and became the first animal. The ox the second. The tiger swam slowly as it enjoyed the water and rest upon the way. Tiger was the third. The rabbit hopped onto each log that it could find and reached the finishing line. Dragon came later as it was making rain for the people and puffing wind to help the rabbit hop onto the log. The snake hid behind the horse’s leg and it didn’t know about it. As the horse reached the finishing line, the snake jumped and flew to it first. So snake was number 6 and horse number 7. The goat, the monkey and the rooster found a raft and worked together to sail to the finshing line. The Emperor was impressed and named the goat as year 8, the monkey as year 9 and the rooster as year 10. The eleventh year was named after the dog. The dog swam and bathed at the same time. It also slept thus, it was late. The twelfth was the pig because it kept swimming and eating a lot. So, It was the last to reach.

b) The pop-up card.
• First, I showed the kids the steps to make the card. They cut a short line in the middle part of a colour paper. Then, the part was folded. Next, each kid cut 2 pieces of flowers and pasted to a stem each. After that, they pasted the little flowers to the colour paper.

c) Drawing: My family.
• As this Chinese New Year card is for their loving family, the kids drew pictures of themselves together with their family. There are picture of a house, a car and etc.
• Some preferred to draw pictures of dragon dance or lion dance.
• We would continue with the cover page next Monday.

Chinese Zodiac Animals

Wednesday (19/01/2011)

a) Chinese Zodiac Animals
• I prepared the twelve different animals on flashcards. I placed them randomly and asked the kids to arrange them accordingly. The kids were smart as they gave me the anser by glancing at the class poster…

b) The Zodiac Song.
• I used the tune to “Red Indian Boys”. The lyrics go like this.
1 rat, 2 ox, 3 tiger, 4 rabbit,
5 dragon,6 snake,7 horse, 8 goat,
9 monkey, 10 rooster, 11 dog, 12 pig,
Twelve cute Zodiac Animals.

c) The game.
• The kids sat in a big circle. Then, 11 cards were placed on the floor upside down. Another card was placed on a kid’s hand. As I sang the Zodiac song, the kids passed around. When I stopped, the kid who was holding the card went the centre of the circle to flip open a card. She or he had to sit the animal word. The game went on.
d) Wushu Lesson.
• Today’s Wushu lesson was brought forward earlier and thus, it was quite challenging to continue lessons on Zodiac Animals.
• We requested Wushu Teacher to guide the kids to prepare for the Lion Dance Performance. They paid ut,most attention and later, 2 pairs were selected to perform in front of the class. First pair were Zhe Qing and Yun Xin. Second pair were Wee Xuan and Qian Joe. Teacher praised Wee Xuan for remembering most of the steps correctly.

e) Playing
• After Wushu, everyone requested to play with their puppet Lion Dance. Before playing, I explained to them that next Friday, we are going to have “Cai Ching” which means Lion Dance Performance. The Lion Dance will dance around, then only 1 lion will eat the lettuce. However, all lions are welcomed to eat the Mandarin Oranges. Actually, they will be peeling the skin. Then, these oranges will be shared with other classe as we visit them 
• The kids discussed and voted for their roles. 8 kids were the Lion performers, 4 as helpers, 2 tamborine players, 2 drum players, 2 cymbal players and 2 as Little Monk or “Buddha”.

The Finishing Puppet.

Tuesday (18/01/2011)

a) Singing and movement.
• After revising vocabulary, we sang our favourite English Chinese New Year song. This time, we sang by including dance movements. We imagined performing for audience. We will be performing for the kids when they visit us before Chinese New Year holiday.

b) Mini Lion Dance Craft: Continuation.
• The kids were so excited to finish the craft.
• Today, we focused at decorating its body.
• Each kid was to do paper cutting for the Chinese character “Spring”or “chun”. The other decorations I proposed including: fan, flower, fish or simply any pattern they can think of.
• I showed each pattern the way to do step by step.
• The materials for each pattern were placed in different baskets.
• The younger kids sat around me as they needed more guidance. They were Jia Xun, Alisa, Tzen Yu, Wee Xuan and Yee Xuan.
• The older kids were quite independent at cutting their “Spring” character.

c) Playing
• A few kids pasted the head to its body and started playing with their little Lion Dance puppet. Yet, I had to check to see if the decorations are pasted well. 

The Puppet Lion.

Monday (17/11/2011)

a) Students’ Profiles.
• Starting from this year, each kid will be given a file consisting of his or her information, assessments, selected worksheets and activities. Thus, we can then monitor each kid’s progress more effectively.
• The first 2 worksheets comprised “My Loving Family” and “My Personal Details”. It’s a family activity whereby parents and students have to work together filling in the blanks. It involves interviewing and translations. Example: favourite food, hope or wish, my siblings and etc. Kids were have to hand the file next Monday.

b) Mini Lion Dance Craft.
• After revising this theme vocabulary, I started briefing the kids on steps of making a mini lion dance which looks like a hand puppet. After learning about Lion dance, the kids have requested to make one each. Thus, making from a smaller box would be more encouraging for the kids. Each kid can have their own puppet.
• Fold a piece of cardboard into 4 equal portions. Then, fold them to form a closed rectangle. Cellophane tape the open and close ends. Then cut the sides down about 1/3 length from the top. Now, there are 4 sides. Kids folded 2 sides and pasted them. The other 2 sides are the ears. Kids drew the ear shape and cut. Next, they decorated the lion’s face. The mirror, eyes, nose and moustache. Then, they pasted pieces of paper onto the ears as if hanging down like the hair. I shall cut the mouth as it requires a blade for this. Some used colourful paper, some used stickers while some used glittering thread to decorate their craft. Most kids are independent and creative. A few kids need consistent guidance as they are still new in the class; such as Jia Xun, Alisa, Rei and Tzen Yu. The kids shall continue with the horn and body tomorrow.

The Lion Dance Movement

Tuesday (11/01/2011)

a) What’s the matter?
• We observed our 2 lion heads. Lion A and Lion B each made by Group A and Group B.
• Group A: Using too much glittering string might not be pretty. Furthermore, we have to learn to use these materials reminding kids to recycle and love the Earth. Initially, the horn had a long straw but then taken away as it will be dangerous for lion dancers and the audience. The kids forgot the mirror on the lion’s forehead. Wee Hong suggested that we can use shining paper such as found on birthday cake round plank.
• Group B: The box surface can be decorated with either colour paper or paper cutting the kids did on Monday. The kids forgot the horn. As the kids cut a lot of “ang pow” red packet yesterday, they can paste on the lion as the beard and on its ears to show that its furry and cute. 

b) The Process
* The kids went to their respective group and continued with the craft. They were better and more independent. Initially, some kids argued. Then, they got closer as a team. Some kids helped the other friends without my instruction.
• Next, we decorated the lion’s body made of cloth. Group A was blue while Group B’s was green. Each kid chose 2 cutting papers of their work to paste on the lion dance body.

c) Lion Dance Movement and Wushu.
• We requested Teacher Yang, our Wushu teacher to teach the kids some Lion Dance steps. He was very good. Among, he shared on: the sleeping lion, playful, happy, grumpy, and angry lion. Next, he talked abouthow they drink water, eat and spit some food because of eating too fast, looking itself at the water reflection and the relationship between lion dance and the drum beats. The kids enjoyed themselves so much. Hopefully, the kids and I will practise a few steps and perform for our schoolmates to celebrate Chinese New Year.

I can draw…..

Friday (14/01/2011)

a) Vocabulary recapped.
• We recapped some words learnt during this theme. Among: Chinese New Year, drum, cymbals, lion dance, dragon dance, cookies, Mandarin Oranges, lantern, monster, monk, children, tambourine and red packet.
• We brainstormed about activities we have done and are going to do during this theme. These activities were decided by the kids when we brainstormed the mind mapping on the first week of school. However, the kids added:
Zhi Feng: I want to sell things. Teacher: What can you sell?
Yun Xin: We can make things such as drawings pictures.
Chun Kit: We can make Chinese New Year Cards.
Teacher: What are you going to do with the money?
Natalie: Give to mum. Teacher: That’s nice. Any better ideas?
Qian Joe: We can help poor people. Chun Kit: Let’s help the orphans.
• It was a good idea and I told the kids, I would discuss with the Principal to get his permission.

b) Numbers.
• During mind mapping discussion, kids did mention activities related to Chinese New Year goods. Thus, I thought that they need to be clear with numbers and RM value. Thus, we learnt about numbers.
• I flashed numbers from 1 until 20. 5 year old kids took the numbers below 10 randomly. The others above 10. Then I drew columns and rows to insert the numbers accordingly. The kids tried seeing the connection between 1 until 50.

c) Worksheet: Additions.
• The addition activity involves the sum of up to 10. Before they do the harder level, their foundation has to be good. The kids added the pictures of Lion Dances. Example: 7+3=, 4+2=, 3+1=.

d) Drawing: Lion Dance.
• The kids are now more informed about Lion dance. I drew a huge Lion Dance on the white board and the kids were observing attentively. I used shapes to make them feel comfortable at drawing. Example: circle, semi-circle, triangle. They even asked me to draw the dancers. Then, I labeled the picture such as horn, ear, beard, eyes and etc.
I allowed the younger kids to either draw or colour. I was impressed at the kids’ drawing. They showed improvement and even added their own ideas into the picture. The kids were encouraged to write their name by looking at their name cards as a guidance.

Craft: The Lion Dance Head (Part 2)

Tuesday (11/01/2011)

a) Types of Lion Dance
• Northern Lion Dance will differentiate the genders of males and females. The male wears a red bow while the female wears a green bow. They usually perform in a family.
• Southern Lion Dance doesn’t highlight the genders. They come in various colours. They have horns and also a mirror to reflect the monsters’ looks. The story associated with their horns will be told tomorrow.

b) Organising paper cutting
• Each kid was giving a plastic folder whereby they keep their paper cutting properly. 2 pieces will be used for their Chinese New Year card craft. The others to be decorated the Lion Dance craft.

c) Craft: The Lion Dance Head.
• I brought I 2 empty boxes. Each box was sketched with a lion image. This would be easier for the kids at doing this craft. We discussed ways to make the craft. Example: colour paper for the mouth, ears and forehead. Suitable items such as vitagen bottles or little containers as the eyes, nose and horns. Chun Kit suggested strings as its beard. Zhe Qing suggested paper which I proposed Ang Pow red packets. As for the cutting of the mouth and ear shape, I would assist with a penknife as the box is too thick for the kids. As for the faces, kids can use glitterings provided.

d) Team work
• 3 main leaders were chosen for each group. Then the others chose their preferred group.
I ensured that the kids were grouped equally so that the stronger and older ones could guide the younger ones.
• It was so challenging! This first craft has allowed me to know each kid closer. Some such as Wee Xuan kept using glue to paste bottles to the boxes. Some such as Chun Kit ad Kwoong Yong used too much glittering thread for the beard and face decoration. I later spoke to these kids that we need to use wisely because other classes are sharing with us. Furthermore, we need those for their little Lion dance craft later on. I also stressed on using recyclable items such as strings.
• The kids were guided to paste the colour paper on the proper place. I called Group A kids and briefed them on improving their craft. Example: making the horn more attractive. Do not use long straws as it is dangerous when kids perform later. Zhe Qing suggested cut straws for the teeth. Group B managed to decorate a little of their Lion Dance Body. We shall continue the craft tomorrow.

Lion Dance Craft: The body

Monday (10/11/2011)

a) Briefly on Lion Dance
• I drew a Lion dance on the whiteboard. As I drew, some started reminding me of what I have missed at drawing. I took Jun Yu’s Lion model and we compared together. In the middle of the face is a round tool similar to “mirror”.
• Teacher: What’s the purpose of this mirror?
Xing Tong: To look beautiful.
Zhe Qing: To scare the monster away.
Exactly. Just as Nien monster attacks the lion, it will see its own reflection from that mirror. So, it actually got frightened by its own scary and ugly look.  The kids thought that Lions are smart!
• They come in many colours. Red Lion Dance represents bravery, green is playful, white is the oldest, black is aggressive. In some community, green lion dance represents the female.
Zhe Qing: If white lions are old, why could they perform so well? (from our previous video clip.)
Teacher: Older means with plenty of experience and kung fu skill. Furthermore, today a lot of Lion Dance performances are being modified. We can see various colour lion dance during performances.
• The class will learn more about lion dance in the next few days while making the lion craft model.

b) Paper cutting
• Last Friday, after playing around with Lion and Dragon Dance, 17 kids voted to learn more about Lion Dance. Thus, we would be making a big lion model. If successful, the kids shall then make a small lion model for themselves.
• Today, we focused on its body. Tomorrow, we shall continue with its head and face.
• Each kid was given a colour paper. A rectangle paper was folded into a square. Now, the paper looked like a triangle. It was folded into triangle again. The kids used their scissors to cut a “peak” shape similar to triangle. They can have as many triangle cut outs as possible. When ready, the paper was opened up and they looked really nice. These will be pasted onto the cloth (lion body). The 5-year old kids were guided separately as they needed to be more careful with scissors. Surprisingly, some were quite independent such as Shawn, Alisa and Rei. Each kid did at least 2 cuttings.
• Next, I showed the kids “the fish” shape. The “Ang Pow” red packet was folded into half. Initially, I drew the fish outline for them. Then as they got more independent, they did the cutting without much guidance.
• The 6 year old kids are learning to guide their younger friends. Example: Yun Xin guided Soon Yu, Qian Joe guided Xiang Wei. In fact, after a few practices, the kids volunteered to help just any friends.  Zheng Yuan sobbed when he spoilt his first cutting. With encouragement, he got better. Finally, he was so happy to do the fish cutting successfully and beautifully. Everyone felt good and did well! 

Dragon Dance

Friday (07/11/2011)

a) The Dragon dance Model.
• 2 years ago, my 6 year old kids modified an old dragon model made by their seniors. I took it out from the store room, cleaned it and shared with our kids.
• They were amazed and it was actually made of newspaper, plastic, and a small dustbin.  There were 5 stick poles. 1 for the head, 3 for the long body and finally 1 for the tail. We practised briefly I the classroom in groups of 5. Again, we switched on Zhe Qing’s CD. It was amazing how some kids looked tired by carrying the heavy dragon but denied the fact…….ha ha ha!

b) Lion and Dragon Performance.
• Today, Jun Yu and Wee Hong also brought their Lion Dance model. Plus Zhi Feng’s, we can have 3 teams of lion dancers. 2 teams of Dragon Dancers. The others were the musical equipment players.
• Among: Jun Yu, Zheng Yuan, Jia Xun, Alisa and Soon Yu chose play the musical equipment which was a drum and 2 tamborines.
• Dragon dancers: Weei Xiang, Wee Hong, Kwoong Yong, Qian Joe, Zhi Feng, Chun Kit.
• Dragon Dancers: Xing Tong, Natalie, Shawn, Xiang Wei, Chia Yen, Xing Jing, Yee Xuan, Zhe Qing, Yun Xin.

c) The Vote
• The kids were exhausted and drank their water. Then we voted whether to learn about lion or Dragon Dance. 17 kids voted for Lion Dance. If time allows, we might go into Dragon Dance.

Lion Dance

Thursday (6/11/2011)

a) Zhi Feng’s Lion Dance Model.
• Zhi Feng brought his lion model and shared with the class. We thanked him and started examining it. Before doing a simple performance, we talked about the associated tools included drums and cymbals.
• The kids got into pairs as Lion dance require 2 dancers. I arranged 3 chairs apart from one another. I switched on Zhe Qing’s CD on CNY music. The kids danced creatively around the chairs. Some stood on them and tried jumping down just as in a real performance. I disguised as the little Buddha monk with a fan in my hand. I lured the lion and guided it. The class was really very merry…. 

b) Video clip: Lion dance performance.
• First, we watched Malaysia Lion Dance Competition. We watched the champion which was a white lion. Qian Joe said he had watched a lion dance competition in Genting Highlands.
• The kids were curiosed to see only a lion performing.
Zhe Qing/ Kwong Yong/ Yun Xin/ Soon Yu: Where are the other lions?
Teacher: The lion will perform separately and the judges will give them points to decide the champion.
• We observed that the white lion dance was very playful. It danced around and then jumped onto the poles. It pretended to fall but didn’t and the kids screamed! It danced with energy when the drum beats were loud and fast and otherwise.

c) Video Clip: Dragon dance performance.
• As a comparison and to assist the kids decide which to learn about, I showed them a video clip on Dragon dance Performance.
• The kids said it was interesting but needed a lot of people. I asked them if it would be heavy? Some said “no”. They thought that the ball the dragon chased; looked like a colourful lollipop….haaaa!

Our New Theme

Wednesday (05/11/2011)

a) Discussion.
Teacher: What would you like to learn?
Wee Xuan: Rabbit. Zhe Qing: We have learnt about it last year.
Weei Xiang: Dragon. Xiang Wei: Lanterns.
• As the morning thematic lessons started earlier, it definitely would influenced the kids. Doing the same theme is a great idea because it encourages reinforcement. Thus, Chinese New Year is our new theme!

b) I know…….
Teacher: Tell me what people do on Chinese New Year.
• The kids started brainstorming. The associated words included fire crackers, “Ang Pow” red packet, Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Mandarin oranges, cookies, red costumes, the “chun” word, Nien monster, drums and “Tuan Nien” dinner. Everyone was so excited.
Teacher: Why did the Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year?
Wee Hong: Nien Monster.
• When the kids were asked to share about the story, they were startled. Thus, I drew pictures to tell the legend of “Nien Monster”. After that, we went to watch a short video clip of this story. First, they got so frightened seeing the monster. However, this short cartoon was funny and scary at the same time. They laughed together feeling happy to see the villagers chasing away the Nien. They even asked me to repeat the animation. 

c) CNY activities.
• Before ending the lesson, we discussed about activities that we can do during this lesson. This is called the “mind-mapping”. These included: Lion dance, Dragon dance, baking cookies, decoration crafts, 12 zodiac animals, Tuan Nien dinner and ways to assist family preparation at home. Upon voting, the kids wanted to learn about Lion dance first.

Pomegranate Fruit

Tuesday (04/11/2011)

a) I want to taste……
• On the wall of our classroom stated “Pomegranate is a wonderful class”. The kids didn’t exactly know what is its except it is eatable……..haaaa!
• Pomegranate is a fruit and our school plants it. It is as high as 1.5 metre and at this moment doesn’t bear fruit.
• The Pomegranate fruit I shared with the kids were sweet, tasted good and delicious.
• The skin was yellowish orange and the seeds can be eaten. The fruit was very juicy. Wee Hong was excited and said would like to plant Pomegranate from the seeds. He actually didn’t eat the seeds. I smiled and said I have to survey if the seeds can be planted. Xiang Wei asked me for its Chinese name which is “Sher Liu”.

b) Our lovely classroom.
• Welcome to our new classroom! We talked about the room properties. Everyone started contributing excitedly. Once mentioned, the kids would run over ad tapped at it.
• List of vocabulary include: door, light switch, table, chair, bag shelf, storybooks, bag shelf, water bottles, food, medicine, English notice board, whiteboard, window, pencils, sharpener, eraser, colour pencils, crayon, recycled paper, toilet and tap.
• I have typed the vocabulary word earlier. Each kid was give the label, they had to write the word below the typed ones. Then, they drew pictures around the words as decoration.
• Finally, they pasted those labels at the appropriate place.

Welcome back!

Monday (03/1/2011)

a) Welcome back!
 I welcomed the kids for coming back. Our “Pomegranate” class is a mixture of 5 and 6 year-old kids. We have some friends from other classes who joined us. I asked if they missed school and asked why?
Qian Joe: I missed my friends. I had chicken pox and was absent for many days.
Kwong Yong: I missed the playground.
Yu Xuan: I missed playing with everyone!
Rei: School is fun!

b) Singing and dancing.
 We learnt a new song and started singing and danced to the actions. It was a pairing song. They held to a partner’s hand, stepped to the left, then right, turned around and finally bowed.
 The lyrics:
“ We walked to the left and we walked to the right,
And we walked, and we walked and we walked all right,
With the heel and a toe, and a half turn around,
With the heel and a toe, and a new friend found.”

c) My name is……
• Each kid was given a big name label. They learnt to recognize their names. We played a game.
• A toy was given as an object. I sang many different songs. As I sang, I stopped suddenly. The kids who held the toy would introduce themselves. Example: Hello, my name is……….. My favourite food is……… Nice to meet you.