新老老師隨筆之八~慶祝中國年活動

15 years ago
Posted in:Culture, 心情小站, 教學分享, 關於活動
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Author: Shin-Shin

一月24日被通知要我辦一個全校性的慶祝中國年的活動. 一聽到消息的時候, 我簡直要暈倒, 今年的大年初一是二月三日, 距離新年不到兩個禮拜的時間, 時間真的太緊迫了. 沒把握, 可是也不想不做, 因為這是一個對學生非常有意義的活動. 而且, 如果我今年不做, 有可能這個活動以後就會被取消了. 掙扎了一個晚上, 決定冒險一試. 跟學校商量, 把慶祝活動的時間訂在2月15日, 時間寬裕了, 也就踏實多了.

經過兩個禮拜的練習, 我的學生, 三個年級六個班, 全部上場了. 在整個籌畫的過程中, 我就兩個大原則:一是一定要讓每個學生上場, 二是節目一定要跟學習中文或是跟中華文化有關. 然後就勇往直前, 沒有退路了. 其中, 最主要的挑戰是得根據每班的個性及個人特色等分配工作. 克服了這些問題, 排演就簡單多了.

安排新年表演節目不是難事, 以前在社團及這幾年在中文學校的磨練還是很有幫助的. 難是難在, 我是全校唯一會說中文的老師, 所有的構思與決定都得自己承擔, 沒有人可以幫忙分享或提建議, 其實是有點孤單的. 還好, 我們學校像個大家庭一樣, 我只要一開口, 沒有老師不幫忙的. 只是, 幫忙跟一起做的感覺還是不太一樣.

2月15日的演出, 感動了好多老師, 這是我始料未及的. 我太專注在我的學生, 我只想到怎麼把時間掌握好? 他們學得怎麼樣? 對小學生來說這樣的節目安排好不好等等. 表演一結束, 幾乎所有的老師都跑來給我一個big hug, 他們是真的激動, 真的感動, 我也真的被嚇了一跳. 後來想想, 才發現, 其實這是我第一次辦這麼大型的活動給老美看呢. 以前去過很多學校做新年活動, 但是規模不大, 也不是總策劃, 就是去幫幫忙, 負責一兩項活動, 如此而已. 現在回想, 還好當時我沒想到, 不然, 心理壓力一定很大. 真覺得自己是一隻初生之犢.

也是後來才知道, 我們學校沒有老師辦過全中學部學生都參與的表演活動 (音樂及戲劇等表演都是經過篩選才有的), 好多老師跟我說我做了一件很不可思議的事, 居然有辦法讓這群難以馴服的野蠻青春期學生都參與, 而且是很開心地參與. 嘻嘻, 聽了之後, 小小的尾巴忍不住翹得高高的.

以下是我們的部分活動照片~

校長要我辦個45分鐘的活動, 於是我安排了12個節目, 各班節目除了六年級的小手拉大手之外, 都是4~5堂課練出來的.

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很棒的一個經驗, 我很高興我成功的把這件事完成了. 也爲我未來中文教育的推廣又向前邁進一步. 現在, 全校的小朋友都認得我, 會跟我打招呼了呢. 也有很多小朋友期待六年級的到來, 所以可以學中文. 真的很開心!!

這是我個人的一小段小小的驕傲, 我把老師們給我的emails也放在這裡, 算是我收到的禮物, 我想好好的珍藏, 當作日後一個美好的回憶.

Based on what I saw and heard and also based on feedback from faculty, staff, and kids, today’s Chinese New Year Assembly was a big hit. I loved how the entire middle school was involved and I loved how many teachers collaborated. To our Chinese Teacher, I say Bravo.

Just a delightful assembly.

Ben

That was one of the most amazing performances I've seen in 12 years. Incredible–the number of students and staff involved, the grace of girls from many backgrounds creating one dance, the maturity of so many boys in dance traditions that were not theirs by birth, the relaxed humor and comfort of the announcers, the opportunity to use Chinese in a "real" setting, the interaction with the audience, and the opportunity to have such an interesting instrument showcased. I had never seen it played before! What amazing sounds, the "voice" of a violin with an exceptional ability to transport through sound into imagery. Did you notice how the Koalas were riveted? Even our bounciest didn't budge during the horse race piece. Special thanks for the gift to my 4 Chinese speaking children–hearing their home language spoken on their school's stage. Kudos to everyone.

Cindy R.

I agree completely with Cindy! What a joyous celebration of the Chinese New year! I was so impressed with the level of enthusiasm demonstrated by all the Middle School students involved in the production, not to mention the audience being absolutely captivated! Shin-Shin, your creativity, energy, and organizational skills deserve applause! Thank you, for bringing the Chinese New Year celebration into our Quest Academy community!!! Additionally, many thanks to all staff members who helped Shin-Shin bring the program to life.

Respectfully,

Heidi

I know it is easy to focus on the middle schoolers antics but I was so impressed with their talents and level of confidence today. They really looked like they were having fun! So did Shin-Shin! Thank you to all who contributed. This is what Quest is all about!

Mary

Hi Ms. Lin,

The assembly today was wonderful! Just beautiful. I was so impressed with all the students' performances, and the guest musician was incredible. Thank you for giving the students the opportunity to put on that great program!

Jenny (Nick's mom)

Wonderful show today. I was very impressed with the content and the professionalism. Thank you!

Marla Mogul

The level of confidence in our middle school students is quite impressive. Quest at its BEST!! BRAVO!!!!

Cindy

I was truly impressed. Way to go.

Great job Shin Shin. Great job.

Drew

It was beautiful Shin Shin! J It definitely showcased differentiated instruction at its best! Your hard work and thoughtfulness really shined in all the performances. I love how we are all able to celebrate culture together as a school!

Bernice

Dear Shin-Shin,

It's funny. All my life – since the age of four, anyway – I have wanted to see the Lion dance performed live. I had one of those old 3-D binocular toys as a kid that had pictures of a Chinese New Year celebration; I must have watched that short slide show hundreds of times, and it never got old.

I never thought I would have the opportunity to actually fulfill that dream until yesterday. Wow! That was marvelous! As the Lion waggled its head this way and that, I found myself leaning left and right saying, "Yes! That's it!" Thank you so much for that, Shin-Shin!

Working with Middle Schoolers every day, I find it amazing how well coordinated the event was, considering the short frame of time you had to put this all together.

Once again I find myself peeking into my colleagues' classrooms, wishing that I had had an education like that as a child. Some might call it a quality education; I call it magic. What a wonderful place to work! – N

Dear Shin-Shin,

I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was by your hard work yesterday. The children were outstanding as well.

Bravo

Rupa

It was great! My class was mesmerized through the whole program. I loved hearing the middle school kids speak Chinese.

Becky

還有好多當面的感動, 心被塡得滿滿的. 心~好快樂!!