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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 11:53 |
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About 300 students at Cromer High School and Language College participated in a Chinese thematic day on Wednesday March 10th. As a Language College we try to promote an enjoyment in the learning of other languages and the purpose of this day was also to promote intercultural understanding and global awareness. Students had the opportunity to develop their creative skills and work together in mixed age groups during the course of the day.
The day was organised by Ms Johnson and Mrs Munson and staff from the school ran sessions for the students to teach them more about the culture and traditions of China. This theme was chosen as Cromer High has a link with Number 54 School in Shanghai, to which a group of students from the school hope to visit later on in the year.
We were delighted to have members of the local community helping us out on the day: John Mezzetti teaching Tai Chi, Tina and Mandy from “The New Inn” in Roughton demonstrating Chinese cooking and Yan Yan, a member of a “Confucius Classrooms” project, teaching Mandarin.
Students rotated around a variety of activities during the day. In Art sessions Mr Collin and Ms Howden taught students how to make Chinese lanterns and explained the significance of the symbols decorating them. In Music, Mrs Hough demonstrated how the pentatonic scale forms the basis of Chinese music. Students then worked collaboratively to compose their own piece of music. Drama and story telling (Mrs Burgoyne and Mr Hensley) had pupils reading stories from the Chinese tradition and performing their interpretation. All students took part in a food based activity, either cooking a Chinese dish with Mrs Pull and the experts from the New Inn or planning a menu to suit certain occasions and practising the use of chop sticks, which was a challenge to some – but I’m sure Ms Wright is an expert now!

Yan Yan told everyone in an assembly at the start of the day, that the Chinese take their physical activity very seriously. To fit in with this, all students had a session of Tai Chi with John Mezzetti – in fact some of the staff decided that would actually be a great way to start each day….! They also played badminton and table tennis – sports in which the Chinese excel.
Last, but not least, all students were taught some basic mandarin by Yan Yan and learnt about the Chinese script.
It is hoped that some of our work will be taken over to China later on in the year to show Number 54 School the projects we worked on.
More than one student was held to comment “Can we do this everyday, Miss?” Well, no! But the general buzz was that it was a good day and lots was learnt!
Thanks to everyone who took part!
                        
Click here to view video podcasts from CHS Chinese Day
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