A Letter to Parents from Mrs. Chang

Dear Parents,

Time flied so fast! I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas time! I’ve been enjoying working with your students and have been very thankful for all your support this year! Next week, we’re going off-track. I wish you the best for the winter break!

I’ll have my maternity leave from Jan. 2^nd to Mar. 1^st . Hilary Burton, who can speak Chinese, will sub for me. She has been coming to my classroom, preparing for her upcoming job since last Friday. Also, I’ve made all the homework for her to give for the eight weeks.  And we’ll stay in touch with each other during my leave. I’m sure everything will go well and your student will have a great time learning with her. If you have any concerns, you are welcome to e-mail me at: jenny.chang@jordandistrict.org

Recently I tried to upload our class photos on my blog, but even though I’ve removed all the photos from my blog, it kept telling me ” Whoops! You're out of space. You are currently using 100% of your 1 GB quota for photos.”

If you by chance know how to solve this problem or you know any other way(except burning CDs) that I could share the photos with all the parents, please let me know. I appreciate it!!!

Best wishs,

Mrs. Chang  11-29-2012

Volunteer Wanted!~~

Dear Parents,

     The “Envision”Math Student Books finally arrived in my classroom this Wednesday!

In the beginning of each topic, I’ll send parents a note page from the students book so that you’ll get more understanding about what your students has been doing with their Math. In order to do that, I need a couple of parents’ help with cutting the pages out from the 52 students’ Math books. If you could help, please e-mail me or give me a note. I really appreciate it! (There is a place that Mrs. Anderson knows where you could help do it easily. I’ll contact you when I receive your e-mail or notes.)  My e-mail address is: jenny.chang@jordandistrict.org

            Thank you!

            Mrs. Chang  10/26/2012

Pages Missing from Reading CDs.

Dear Parents,

Some students have found out that there are some pages missing from the Chinese Reading CD.
For example, page 6 & 11 from book #2, and page 11 from book 22.

I'll keep the record of all the the missing pages this school and try to let the publisher know about it.
So please let me know if you find out more. Thanks.

Mrs. Chang

Please Use the "Review Characters" of Mrs. Chang's Blog

Dear Parents,

I just added a new page to my blog, which is named"review characters".
Those are characters from "Review 1" worksheet. Please follow the directions below to use it~

1. Click on each of the characters, there will be a linking page show up.
2. Click on the horn icon above the character, students can hear the sound of the character.
3. There are four blue squares under the character. Click on the first square from the left, there will be another four blue squares showing up on the right.
4. Click on the first square from the top, students can see the stoke order.

5. Click on the 3rd blue square on the right,  students can practice writing one stroke at a time.  

This would be great for the review weeks so they have a tool for listening and writing practice besides just writing it on the homework sheet.
Please try it.  I'll continue doing the page every two weeks.

Thank you!

Mrs. Chang  08/21/2012

One Idea of Slowing Down the Chinese Reading CD

Dear Parents,

Regarding the reading CD that is very fast... The on-line app store at Apple.com has several apps that slow down music. Mrs. Smith use it for her daughters violin songs that need to be slowed down when she is learning the piece.  She also use the app for her son's Chinese reading assignment and it worked great.

So for parents who have ipods and iphones, you could download a FREE "slow down music" app and use it for the chinese reading. 

Shared by Laura Smith

Note for Parants 08/03/2012

Mrs. Chang’s Note to Parents:

1.   Mr. Lyu, who is one of my student’s parent, shared some website links for those of you who is interested in learning more basic information about Chinese characters. The links are as below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV517iT2x8o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtdsGe0LNIs&feature=related
http://chinese-characters.org/
http://zhongwen.com/
http://zhongwen.com/zi.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCYcL_BQn-4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idj6jkCBBx4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmrkFyRco3Q&feature=relmfu

2.     About the Lignt Clasroom Homework, please see our checklist for the lesson number that I assign students to do each week. You may need to click “see all”, then scroll down the page to get to the lesson.  Never mind the due dates.

3.    Some parents might find the reading CD fast, but I couldn't find any software to slow it down. However, you can just have your student listen to it everyday. After a few days, see if he/she can follow a little bit. I think" just listen" will still do good to student. Besides, this is an "extension" activity. So if your student can't do well on this one, it's fine, don't worry about it. Work on the Light Classroom more. That's what I really want student to practice speaking with.  For those of you who haven't copy the CD, please do it ASAP and give the CD back to Mrs. Chang. Thanks.

4.    Next Wed., Thu., and  Friday, I’ll be gone for the AUDII 2012 Chinese Immersion Training. So this Chinese homework package is for the following two weeks. The due date is August 17^th.  The Chinese Character quiz (Lesson 6) will be given on Thursday, Aug. 17^th. Please be prepared.  Students have learnt the first story of lesson 6, witch includes 5 characters of the worksheet. And they’ll learn the second story, which includes the rest 4 Characters, in the next two weeks. It’ recommended to practice the first story and the 5 characters for the first week, then move on to the rest. Please keep the character flashcards for the review of this school year.

5.     I need your student to bring the blue (empty) folder everyday. (They only need to put the homework in the folder and turn them in on Fridays.)

I try to sand home papers, notes, and/or projects in a timely manner.

6.    Again, we have PE class on Wednesdays. So please remind your student to wear walking/running shoes. Skirts are not appropriate. Thanks.

Always if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know…send in a note, give me a call, or e-mail me (jenny.chang@jordandistrict.org) . Usually the best time to reach me at school are between 8:20~8:50 am, and 4:00~4:30 pm. 

Thank you,

Mrs. Chang  08/03/2012

Class Photos--

Dear Parents & Students,

I have posted the "Field Day", "Ugly Duckling Program", and "The Last Day in 2nd Grade" photos on  the "Class Photo" page.  Please go check them out!
Have a great summer!

Mrs.Chang

Last week--

For the last week, I only sent home L6-1 article for students to practice reading at home.
No math or Chinese writing homework this week.
But I do encourage students to practice speaking with the "Light Classroom" website.
For those who still have some that you haven't finished, please make them up; for those who have already finish all of them, you are welcome to practice for the second time.

Thank you, parents, for all your supports this school year!
It's hard to believe that we have only one more week to go!
I really enjoyed working with your child this year!
And I wish you a great summer break!

Love,
Mrs. Chang

Cancellation of the center activities--

Dear Parents,

Since our school year is going to end in the end of June, there are so many events coming up that I can't be sure we'll have time to do center activities on Mondays and Wednesdays in the last three weeks.

So, I decide to cancel the rest arrangements with you for the volunteering in my classroom.(June11th to June 27th.)

I'm sorry for the late notice. I hope it won't cause any inconvenience.

If you see this mail, please give me a reply, so I know that you know it. Thanks!

Thank you for all your support this year! I really appreciate your helps!

Mrs. Chang 06/08/2012

About the light classroom homework for this week--

Dear Parents,

One of my students told me that she couldn't hear any voice when she tried to do Light  Classroom homework #24 at home. So, I recorded my voice after school today. And I tested with two computers. It should work now.

If you have the same problem, please try again.

I'm sorry about any inconvenience!

Best,

Mrs. Chang

Week 31--

We've been having seven caterpillars in our classroom from April 26th. We watched them grow and grow everyday. Then they turned into chrysalis. During the past weekend, six of them came out with their beautiful wings!.....( The last one came out just right after our students went home today.) We are so excited to see the amazing the life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterflies! We plan to set them free before students go off track!~~: )

Mrs. Chang

Week 30--

Thank you, parents, for giving me a great teacher appreciation week.

I appreciate all your supports! You are really great!

I wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

We made Mother's Day posters and those are posted in Horman's. Hope you can go see it!: )

Mrs. Chang

Week 29--

I'm so happy to see that most of our kids can speak only in chinese when they are in my classroom! I'm so proud of them! 

Mrs.Chang

Sorry for the delay

I am sorry that my new laptop cannot be loged in from my apartment. I cannot creat lesson 21 for our light classroom this weekend. But I will try to finish it by Monday evening. Mrs.chang (sent from my iPad)

Week 28--Playground Rules

Week 27--

This is a short week.
I hope you all have a happy Spring Recess!

Next Friday, we'll have our Math Block 7 Text (3-digit subtraction). Please get ready for it.

Mrs. Chang

Week 26

Dear Parents,

With this week’s homework package, I sent home Character flashcards for students to practice at home. (Those are Characters form Lesson 1, Book 2A) Next week, we’ll have a Character Quiz on those ones.  And I’ll keep doing these while new lessons go on.

 (Because the contents of Book2A is much more and harder, we’ll still go over one lesson every two weeks, instead of one lesson per week. And that’s what I was told to do so by the USOE training.)

For your convenience, I’ve put the Pinyin and translations on the back of those cards.    Please make sure that you help your student do the reviewing work frequently.

Thanks!

Mrs. Chang  3/30/2012

Week 25--

Dear Parents,

This week, we talked about Moon in class, and each student made a mini Moon Book. Please remind your student to look at the shape of the moon in the evenings form March 22 to April 20.  So when they come to school, they can talk about it and finish their book.

Next Thursday, we’ll have a Chinese Character Quiz based on this week’s writing homework.

Thank you for all your supports.

Mrs. Chang   3/23/2012

Week 24--

Dear Parents,

Thank you for all coming to our conference!
During the three week off track, please help your children review the Characters of Textbook 1B.

I have already finished the Textbook 2A part on the "Character Definitions" page of my blog! So when we get back on track, you could look them up when you need to. If you wanna see the stroke order and hear the sound, please go to the "Homework" page, and link to the "Textbook" website to find the characters form the articles.

Kids, have a great off track!
See you on March 20th.

Mrs.Chang

Week 23--

Dear Parents,

Last Tuesday, we had a great Valentine's Day Party. Many thanks to the parents who came for help!
I've put up the photos on the "Class Photos" page for you to take a look and download.

Out Parent Teacher Conference is coming on Wednesday the 22th and Thursday the 23th.
I'm looking forward to see you and talk to you. Please remember to come.

Mrs.Chang

Week 22 News

Thanks for parents who came to help with the center activities! I'll need two parents' help every Monday and Wednesday, both in the morning and in the afternoon. And for Friday, I'll need two parents' help just in the afternoon.  If you have time and willing to come. I appreciate it! I am going to ask parents to sign up their volunteer time on our Parent-Teach Conference, which is coming in two weeks.


Mrs. Chang

Week 21 News

This week, I had students work in groups to make sentences with the Chinese Characters that we've learned form Lesson 6 to Lesson 13. Both classes did a great job! They are so excited about it, and I'm so proud of them! Since students have already practiced 67 Chinese Characters this year, I'll continue reviewing the old ones while moving on to the new ones. 


This Friday, my morning class finally got their class shirts! When I gave out those, they just couldn't wait to put them on---In three minutes, the whole class became purple! How I love these kids!!!


I've posted the Chinese New Year Celebration photos on the "Class Photo" page. Please have a look and feel free to down load them.


Mrs. Chang

Week20--Note to Parents!!!

Dear Parents,

Many kids are getting better on their Thursday Chinese Character Quiz, while some kids are still struggling for it. Please check your kids' backpack for how they were doing. I usually gave the Quiz sheets back to kids with their worksheets that are already checked by me. Remember, the more practice, the more kids'll remember.
So far, we've covered L6-L13(There are 67 Characters included.). While we continue moving on to next lessons, I strongly recommend kids to review previous lessons.

This week, I gave out a worksheet to review some characters we’ve learnt from previous lessons. In the bottom, I made a sentence from these characters. As what we’ve be doing, we’ll have a Chinese Quiz based on this worksheet on next Thursday. Please encourage your child to do more practice on my blog.
Thank you for all your support.

Mrs. Chang  01.29.2011

Week 19 News--

Thanks for all the parents who came to watch our Chinese New Year Program! And thanks to all the parents who came to help our Chinese New Year Party! I believe that kids had fun and learn a lot for those activities. (Please share the photos with Mrs. Chang if you took some.)

Next Friday, we'll have our Block 5 Math Test. （Three digit addition）Please prepare for that.

On the "Flashcards With Sounds"page of this blog, I've put Lesson 11~13 on. Please practice at home as much as your child can.

Week 18 News--

We'll have a Chinese New Year Celebration next Friday(Jan. 20th) from 9:15AM.
Parents, you're welcome to enjoy the time with us!
Besides, there will be a free Confucius Institute sponsored Chinese New Year Performance in Cottonwood High School on Jan. 30th, 7:00PM.  For more Information,please see below:

Free Community Chinese New Year Event!  中国新年公众免费庆典！ January 30th, 2012, 7:00 pm.  Cottonwood High School.   JOIN US AT  Cottonwood High School 5715 South 1300 East | Murray, UT 84121 January 30th, 2011 | 7:00 PM  FREE AND OPEN TO ALL IN THE COMMUNITY Performance by Peiyang Arts Troupe of Tianjin University, traveling from Tianjin, China to bring their show to Salt Lake City. 天津大学北洋艺术团演出，从中国天津巡演至盐湖城。  The Performance is titled "The Melody of Harmony- Impressions of China", and will include both music & dance!   演出主题为 “和之韵——中国印迹”，演出包括音乐及舞蹈!

Week17 News

Dear Parents,

Chinese New Year is coming on January 23rd. We are planning to have a Chinese New Year Party and some students’ performance on January 20^th.    This week, I started to introduce Taiwan Aboriginal culture and dancing to kids, and they love it! The second graders will do the dancing on that day. 

For the dancing, students are expected to wear anything which looks like aboriginals/(Indians). Besides, they are encouraged to do some facial paintings and put on some other decorations, like necklaces, feathers, etc.  If students can’t find anything alike to wear, they could simply dress mainly in “red”.  Please start to prepare for it.  

Thank you.                                                      

Mrs. Chang 01.06.2012 

Week16--

December 2ed, we had a wonderful Christmas Party! Thanks to all the parents who helped with it! I've posted the class photos onto this blog. You are welcomed to take a look or download them. I look forward to see you on January 3rd. Happy New Year!!