Our Stalls

Wednesday (09/02/2011)

a) Everyone’s birthday!

l Today is the seventh day of CNY and it represents all peoples’ birthday. Thus, we sang a birthday song for ourselves.

l The Chinese on this day will free animals from cages and etc. to the nature. They hope to do good things as they believe good deeds will receive good effects. Animals such as birds, tortoise and fish when kept in the cages and aquarium definitely feel sad. It would be such a relief and happiness to return to their habitats.

b) RM 5 and RM 10.

l Today, the kids made their own RM 5 and RM 10. Green paper for RM 5 while red for RM 10. The kids also learntto write their names on the note.

c) Demonstration.

l To learn about money value, we decided to set up stalls in the classroom selling variety of items. The kids chose the items. These include: fried chicken – RM5, pizza – RM3， burger- RM6, coke – RM1，fried kuey teow – RM3, fried fish – RM 5, water colour – RM10, hot drinks – RM2, toys – RM1, and hair cut – RM10. I would be the bank whereby the kids can withdraw money if they have already used up all their money.

l I demonstrated to the kids the way of trading. I chose 3 kids to be the seller. Manners were highlighted. Example:

Buyer: “Excuse me,sir. How much is your fried chicken?”

Seller: It’s RM5.

Buyer: Can I have 1 piece, please?

Seller: Here you are. RM5 please.

Buyer: Thank you.

Seller: Please come again.

d) Our stalls.

l We used the class toys as the trading items. About 10 stalls were set up. The kids took turns t be sellers and buyers. Initially, it was very funny. The buyers gave the money to the sellers and the sellers said thank you. Before the buyers depart, the sellers returned back the money to the buyers. Haaa……thus, we had a brief meeting and I highlight the activities to improve on.

l After the second round of trading, the kids can now see if they had a lot of money or less or even no money at all.

l Those with no money, started withdrawing money from me as I was the ATM bank machine. The kids really had fun. Along the process, I guided them at the money “change” and value.

e) Orphanage Charity.

* Till today, Xin Jing brought some cookies, Mandarin oranges and also a box of dates. Zhi Feng brought some wafers and Yee Xuan brought a container of Lego blocks.

The Orphans

Tuesday (08/02/2011)

a) a) Who is an orphan?

· I illustrated using a simple story how a happy boy suddenly became an orphan. It might sound scary but I made it otherwise. The boy used to have many things. Now I asked the kids, what things would he not have now. The kids were quiet. Thus, I asked them yes / no questions ands they started having ideas.

· Can they have new clothes now? Can they eat fast food like fried chicken now? Can they go Genting Highlands like before? Can they go to school? Can they get enough money?

· Thus, the orphans will go to Orphanage Home and stay there hoping to be cared as before. Yet, parents love is still the most unconditional.

· Orphans can be as young as from being a baby to an adult. We brainstormed together reasons for being an orphan.

Kids: Some bad people catch mummy and daddy and injure them. They might die.

Rei: Some parents get sick and die.

Teacher: Some due to flood, war, Earthquake, accidents and etc.

b) Lending a hand.

· Let’s help them.

Chun Kit: Teacher, we can bake cookies for them.

· We have invited 6 year old class to join us for charity sale as unity is more powerful. The kids shared that they can bring their books, toys, shirts and also food. Qian Joe said he can donate his Ang Pow money of RM20. However, I stressed that they should go home think about it and discussed with parents what they can donate. Things donated should be in good condition. Teacher Ng will sms to parents regarding this activity.

· This orphanage donation was actually suggested by Qian Joe and supported by his friends when we were learning about Chinese New Year. Thus, our Charity Sale is next Thursday (17/02/2011) for the kids only. We would arrange another day to visit the orphans together with the donations.

c) About Money.

· The kids love selling and buying role-play. However, they needed to know how to count and collect the money. I showed them real Malaysian note of RM1, RM5, RM10 and RM50.

· They made their own small purses and wallets. Then, each kid was given 5 pieces of blue cardboard rectangle paper. On each paper, they wrote RM1 and their names.

· At corner playing, they immediately pretend to trade.

My Happy Moment.

Monday (07/02/2011)

a) Sharing of memories.
• Around 16 kids were present, the others were still on holiday. First I shared with the kids my happy moments during Chinese New Year including “remote control” fire crackers, barbecue and minor flood in Melaka.
• The kids came forward voluntarily to share about theirs. They spoke with the first sentence, “My happy moment during Chinese New Year was…….” The kids were so excited. Among: Xing Jing and Soon Yu enjoyed visiting as they received “Ang Pows”. Zhi Feng went Kuantan for its Wet Park. Yee Xuan, and Xing Tong enjoyed helping their parents to serve the guests. Alisa and Yun Xin enjoyed their “Tuan Yuan” dinner whereby about 3 tables were needed to accommodate family and relatives. 

b) The “Ang Pow” money.
Teacher: What are you going to do with the money?
Yun Xin: I want to buy things like books.
Xin Jing: Mummy keeps them for me.
Xing Tong: I have my coin box.
• Nobody mentioned about saving in the bank. I explained briefly of the advantage. Chun Kit was surprised how money can grow in a bank.

c) The Flood.
• Upon listening to my story on flood in minor area of Melaka and also in Johor, the kids became very serious.
Chun Kit: If you swim, you should be safe.
• However, if the water flows swiftly and quickly, even a great swimmer might drown. The news have shown how people in Muar, Segamat and Kluang climbed onto their house roof waiting for food and to be rescued. On the other hand, the other Malaysians are enjoying their Chinese New Year with ample of food, new beautiful clothings. We are so lucky. The kids agreed.
Chun Kit: We can do charity for them.
Yun Xin: We can collect things for them.
Yee Xuan: We can give our money to them.
• Before CNY holidays, the kids have suggested raising fund for orphans. We have invited kids from 6 year old class to join us because “unity is powerful”! Thus, I reminded the kids of their intention. I asked them to decide whether to raise fund for orphanage or flood victims. Majority chose orphans. It would be rather challenging for kids to help both parties as they are still very young. “Orphanage” might be a better idea because our kids can visit them, see for themselves and feel the situation.

Performace and Gathering.

Friday (28/01/2011)

a) Lion dance Gathering.
• Beforehand, teachers performed Dragon Dance. It was hilarious but fun! I carried the ball to lure the dragon. The other teachers were the dragon. I made them chase after me. At times, I ran slowly but at times, I daced swiftly making the dragon to cahse and kids to cheer! .
• The kids had been training for the past one week for this event. First, we had 6 year old class to perform. Then, it was us. We had 4 lions with 8 performers altogether. All the kids gathered at school’s living hall while the lion dancers were lying at the playground. The Little Buddha woke them up ad the lion danced through the gate into the hall. The other kids were playing the instruments such as cymbals, drums and tambourine. Then, 4 kids brought Mandarin Oranges for the lions which they pretend to peel off. They ended the performance by bowing to everyone. The school kids were very happy!

b) Lion Dance Greeting.
• For this, we needed only a lion. Weei Xiang and Wee Hong held the lion head high to eat the vegetable consisting red packet “Ang Pow”. Then, it threw the vegetable out from its mouth. We rested for a while.

c) Class visiting.
• We visited every class together with a Lion dance. The performers took turn to perform at different classes. The other kids sang “Happy Chinese New Year” song. We gave the kids some candies ad a paper scroll wishing them Happy Chinese New Year.

d) Reunion lunch
• The kids rested for a while. Then, we sat in a huge circle together with 6 year old children for lunch. Our cook had prepared delicious dishes. We ate fried noodles, nuggets and also ice-cream.

e) Friends’ Visit.
• In the afternoon, we invited the 6 year old friends for a gathering. Jun Yu, Qian Joe, Xing Jing and Tzen Yu were kind to bring some food such as dragonfruit jelly, cookies and also potato chips. I bought some biscuits for them. Then, we sang our Chinese New Year song for them. We didn’t have time for games. They thanked us and greeted us well. Each of them brought a Mandarin orange to share with us.

f) The Legend of Dragons.
• The kids begged me to tell the story. It told how four good friends, the dragons helped giving rain to the poor people on earth. They were punished by Jade Emperor who thought that they stole his rain. The dragons scooped water from their ocean and poured dow to the earth as rain. The dragons magically turned themselves into 4 famous rivers which ca be seen in China today.

Origami Ornaments.

Thursday (27/01/2011)

a) The Rabbit Origami.
• First, I showed them the steps. Then, they followed me step by step. Some older kids were quite independent. They even guided their friends.
• The kids were given a rectangle paper. Then, they folded it ad cut into a square shape. Ext, they unfold it. The paper was folded similar to aeroplane origami. Then, the smaller triangle was folded towards inside and then outside again; as to get a sharp point for the rabbit tail.
• Next, the paper was folded symmetrically. The long sharp point was cut whereby they folded upwards to form the rabbit ears. The kids were happy and excited as they were easy to make. The older kids such as Qian Joe and Chun Kit were creative to use the recycled paper to make a smaller rabbit ad attached to the mother rabbit’s body. The younger kids followed the ideas.

b) The paper lantern.
• I showed them making a simple paper lantern using red packet “Ang pow”. The kids folded the paper into half and started cutting it except its edges. Upon unfolding it, they learned to roll and paste them together. Next, they attached shredded paper onto the end similar to an actual lantern.
• The kids pasted the rabbit origami to the lantern. They took the ornaments home as decorations.

The Chinese Superstitious.

Wednesday (26/01/2011)

a) Chinese New Year Superstitious.
• Before CNY, Chinese will do Spring Cleaning. They believe on the eve, “Chai Sern” or God Of Wealth would bless them. Most Chinese are vegetarians for the first day. They would wear new clothes especially red and play fire crackers to scare away the Legend of Nien Monster. No sweeping is allowed as it will sweep away good luck from the home.
• Second day, the family usually visit the mothers’ family. Some people believe that the third day is improper for visiting as it causes quarrelsome.
• The seventh day is everyone’s birthday ad the eighth day is the birthday of “Jade Emperor” whereby the Hokkiens would offer him sugar cane.
• The last day is Chap Goh Mei whereby some people throw oranges into the river hoping to find his or her life partner. It is alos the final day of CNY.

b) CNY card continuation.
• Today we continued with the front cover. We learned how to sketch a rabbit picture as it is the “Rabbit” year. The older kids were encouraged to be more creative. Then, they have to write the phrase “Happy Chinese New Year”. Then the kids checked their card to add on more details such as their names and etc.

Cornflake Cookies.

Tuesday (25/01/2011)

a) Recipe.
• Last year, Zheng Yuan’s mum taught us to bake cookies for Chinese New Year. This year, the kids and I learnt from a recipe. We identified the ingredients and tools: cornflakes, raisins, butter, honey, brown sugar, cherries, paper cup, weighing machine, pots and etc.
• We weighed the ingredients together by observing the weighing scale. The kids were chosen as assistants.

b) Baking.
• We baked in the kitchen. The butter were mixed together with brown sugar so as to dissolve on the gas stove. Then, the mixture were mixed together with cornflakes and honey. Each kid took turn to mix the batter. Next, I added raisins and cherries. They then took turns to scoop the mixture into the paper cup.
• The cookies were the baked in the oven so that they stick well together. Altogether we baked about 100 pieces. Each kid managed to eat a piece while the others were left to cool down. They are able to bring home the next day.

c) Recording.
• We discussed about the process, tools and ingredients needed for this recipe. Then, I sketched some pictures with label. After that, the kids started drawing pictures ad labeling them on the paper.