Eliza+Yoke

=**My Profile:** = I am currently teaching Chinese Language to Prep through Grade 4 at Eltham College of Education, Research. Mobile: 0402 483 188 Email: eliza.yoke@gmail.com

**Action Research Project Planner:** **Rational:** In my school, students have very little opportunity to connect with speakers of Chinese. There are very few Chinese families and teachers in the school. With this school context in mind, I would like to increase students and school community understanding in Chinese langauge learning and culture. What sorts of language-based activities are you involved in outside the classroom? What are you actively involved in school, community and wider professional contexts? How do you work with colleagues, parents and community members to develop the quality of teaching and learning in the school? How do you use langauge learning as an opportunity for learners to explore what is happening in other parts of the world? How do you increase understanding of the importance of language and culture learning in your community? How do you increase understanding of the importance of diversity in your community? How does the school promote language and culture learning to the community? After given much thought and consideration, I would like to organise a ‘China Day’ for the Junior School to give students an experience of Chinese culture. || The length of the ‘Chinese Day’ – half or full day and when Activities/ workshops that are suitable for Preps to Grade 4 Cultural performances – Fan dance, Chinese Martial demonstration Chinese food – Chinese food lunch order / party/ cocktails Who can help to run the workshops Contact International Students Coordinator to find out if senior students from China could help with Chinese board games or traditional Chinese outdoor games What did you do? During our second meeting on 13th July 2011, I discussed with Julie, my mentor, on my intention to change my initial plan, which was to collaborate with a primary school in China. The reason being that I did not get any response from the people I contacted to help finding a willing primary school in China. I suggested to Julie that organising an event for the children and the school community to experience Chinese culture outside my normal LOTE session would be a better option. Due to my health issue, I decided to have a ‘Chinese Day’ during Term 4 which would be ideal and manageable.
 * =** Stage 1 ANALYSE ** – =
 * __Language and culture:__ **
 * =** Stage 2 - PLAN ** =
 * __The Plan__**
 * __The Plan__**
 * Discuss with Junior School Coordinator and Learning Advisers
 * Chinese calligraphy/ paintbrush painting
 * Chinese board games/ traditional Chinese outdoor games-‘The Eagle and chicks’, ‘Chinese shuttlecocks’, ‘Fangbao Game’
 * Chinese fables with activity – origami, paper cutting, bracelet/changing making
 * Chinese tea sessions
 * Experience Chinese dances and martial art
 * Contact International Students Coordinator to find if senior students from China could help to teach students some basic Chinese dance steps or Chinese Tai Chi
 * Get contacts from CLTAV, teachers from the same VSL centre and mentor teacher
 * School canteen, Sweeper Gully Restaurant, local take-away shops
 * LAs (teachers) ||
 * ==**Stage 3 – ACT ** ==
 * ==**Stage 3 – ACT ** ==
 * __Organising__**

__**The preparation**__ What did you notice? || What would you do the same/differently in the future? ||
 * After talking to teachers from Junior Years, Monday after recess onwards would be the best day so that they do not missing out on literacy and numeracy sessions.
 * The availability dates for the performing centre and the performing group were considered before approaching the Junior Years Coordinator to confirm the date for the event.
 * Once the date was confirm, the following tasks were completed progressively:
 * Made booking for the performing centre.
 * Made payment to the Kita Performing Art Company. They were notified on the procedures on arriving at school and OHS issues on setting up at the performing centre.
 * Negotiated with Lucky Chinese Takeaway at Eltham for the supply of variety-pack Chinese lunch and the price. Special dietary requirements for the students were considered.
 * Discussed with mentor teacher on the suitable indoor and outdoor activities for the events for different year levels. The decision was made that students from Prep to Year 2 would be in Group A and Year 3 and 4 in Group B.
 * The Group A activity were 1) Chinese shuttlecocks kicking – counting game 2) Decorating Chinese rattle drums 3) Tangram jigsaw puzzle.
 * The Group B activities were 1) Chinese shuttlecocks kicking 2) Chinese paintbrush painting 3) Chinese checkers.
 * The following resources and materials were purchased:
 * Book on chinese painting
 * Chinese jianzi – eBay, AUS$5.28/pc
 * Handmade Chinese checkers board - $10 each
 * Pegs and paint for Chinese checkers – Bunning
 * Chinese painting materials and material for decorating Chinese rattle drums – Zart Arts
 * Disposable containers, Chinese chopsticks and glue gun sticks for making Chinese rattle drum – local 2$ shops.
 * The students from Group A and B were divided into 3 groups each to go with the 3 activities at 3 rotations that we planned.
 * A booklet containing the following items were emailed to all teachers involve so that they were familiar with the activities and they tasks:
 * The program for the Junior Years Chinese Cultural Activities Day
 * Tables of rotations for activities and groups
 * List of teachers, helps and tasks
 * List of groups with name of students
 * Instructions sheet for each activity ||
 * ==**Stage 4 - OBSERVE ** ==
 * ==**<span style="color: #00800c; font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Stage 4 - OBSERVE ** ==
 * ==<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="color: #00800c; font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Stage 5 - REFLECT ** ==
 * ==<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="color: #00800c; font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Stage 5 - REFLECT ** ==