Friday, December 7, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Let's Learn About Animals
Kids big and small love my stuffed animals whenever I bring them to the classroom! We not only learn the names of the animals but also review the words about face and body parts. After we have learned about the animals we visit the zoo...read the full article...
Monday, August 27, 2012
Chinese Character Fun: “below”,”to come down”, “next” = 下 (xià)
Miss Panda’s Chinese Character Series featured Chinese character: 下 (xià).
This character means “below”, “to come down”, and “next”.
We can use 下 (“xià”) in the following phrases: ...Read the full article
This character means “below”, “to come down”, and “next”.
We can use 下 (“xià”) in the following phrases: ...Read the full article
Monday, August 20, 2012
Reading Time: Elmer's Day and more Bilingual Books
Reading is a great way to learn more about a language! For the month of August we are reading a set of English - Chinese bilingual books by David McKee. In them Elmer, the fun-loving patchwork elephant, takes us around to learn about the daily routine, colors, weather, and animal friends. Each of these books uses simple words and short sentences. Children will love the illustrations in the books and enjoy listening to the stories in both English and Chinese.
Language : English and traditional Chinese characters ONLY (No pinyin or zhuyin (bopomofo).
Read the full ariticle...
Language : English and traditional Chinese characters ONLY (No pinyin or zhuyin (bopomofo).
Read the full ariticle...
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Handy Manny - School for Tools in Chinese
Do you have a little one who loves tools in the family? Here is Handy Manny in Mandarin Chinese. You might have watched the show in English now let's watch it in Mandarin Chinese. It is a short immersion program for the whole family. Can you hear the following words or phrases?
Tool -Gōng jù 工具
Light -Shǒu diàn tǒng 手電筒
Flashlight -Dēng 燈
See/look -Kàn 看
Success! - Chéng gōng le! 成功了
Have fun!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Reading Time: "The Sound of Colors" and more - Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Book Picks
Reading is such a good way to learn about a culture. For the month of May we are exploring stories from the Asian-Pacific region. Do you have a favorite story from any of the Asian-Pacific countries? Share your favorite with us!
The Musubi Man: Hawaii's Gingerbread Man
Bee-Bim Bop!
Filipino Children's Favorite Stories
Hush! A Thai Lullaby
Peach Boy and Other Japanese Children's Favorite Stories
The Story of Chopsticks
Enjoy my book picks of the month and let me know your favorites!
Disclosure: I have no affiliation with the authors or publishers of the books listed here. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Sound of Colors
The Musubi Man: Hawaii's Gingerbread Man
Bee-Bim Bop!
Filipino Children's Favorite Stories
Hush! A Thai Lullaby
Peach Boy and Other Japanese Children's Favorite Stories
The Story of Chopsticks
Enjoy my book picks of the month and let me know your favorites!
Disclosure: I have no affiliation with the authors or publishers of the books listed here. All opinions expressed are my own.
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month - Discover the Diversity of our Cultures
May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. What better time to explore the diversity of our Asian-Pacific cultures? This cultural exploration project can go from now all the way to and through the summer. Want to know how to say "hello" in Vietnamese, Shanghainese, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese? Do you know where Dim Sum is from? Check out this video to find out these answers and more!
Learn More About Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month:
HARTLYN KIDS: GUEST BLOG: Celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with Children
HapaMama: Children's Books for Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
BiculturalMom: 8 ways to Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Colorín Colorado: APA Celebrations
Fact Monster: Celebrating Asian Contribution to America
Learn More About Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month:
HARTLYN KIDS: GUEST BLOG: Celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with Children
HapaMama: Children's Books for Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
BiculturalMom: 8 ways to Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Colorín Colorado: APA Celebrations
Fact Monster: Celebrating Asian Contribution to America
Monday, April 30, 2012
Learning about fruit
Kids always get so excited when I bring real fruit to the classroom. What a yummy show-and-tell! They smell so good and they look so delicious. You can have your own fun fruit day with your little one at home. Review the words in my video for your next trip to the supermarket!
Ready, set, eat some fruit!
Ready, set, eat some fruit!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Chinese Character Fun: "Up", "Above" -
Miss Panda's Chinese Character Series featured Chinese character: 上 (shàng) -This word means “up", "above"; "to go/come up".
We can use 上 shàng in the following phrases:
上車 - shàng chē = to get in the car
上床 - shàng chuáng = to get in bed/to go to sleep
上樓 - shàng lóu = to go upstairs
上學 - shàng xué = to go to school
上衣 - shàng yī = (clothing) top
Click below to hear how to properly pronounce this Chinese word:
Check this out on Chirbit
And click the character below to see how to write it with the proper stroke order:
We can use 上 shàng in the following phrases:
上車 - shàng chē = to get in the car
上床 - shàng chuáng = to get in bed/to go to sleep
上樓 - shàng lóu = to go upstairs
上學 - shàng xué = to go to school
上衣 - shàng yī = (clothing) top
Click below to hear how to properly pronounce this Chinese word:
Check this out on Chirbit
And click the character below to see how to write it with the proper stroke order:
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Chinese!
Are you ready to sing the "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" song in Mandarin Chinese?
Watch the video, sing along and do the movements with Jie Jie! You know this song and the tune very well. Now let's try it in Mandarin Chinese!
English Lyrics (translation of the Mandarin Chinese version):
Head, shoulders, knees, toes
Head, shoulders, knees, toes
Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
Head, shoulders, knees, toes
(x2)
Lyrics in Pinyin:
Tóu jiānbǎng xīgài jiǎozhǐ tóu
Tóu jiānbǎng xīgài jiǎozhǐ tóu
Yǎnjīng ěrduo bízi hé zuǐba
Tóu jiānbǎng xīgài jiǎozhǐ tóu
(x2)
Lyrics in Chinese: (traditional characters)
頭 肩膀 膝蓋 腳趾頭
頭 肩膀 膝蓋 腳趾頭
眼睛 耳朵 鼻子 和 嘴巴
頭 肩膀 膝蓋 腳趾頭
(x2)
Lyrics in Chinese: (simplified characters)
头肩膀膝盖脚趾头
头肩膀膝盖脚趾头
眼睛耳朵鼻子和嘴巴
头肩膀膝盖脚趾头
(x2)
Monday, April 16, 2012
Reading Time: Gordon & Li Li Words for Everyday (Mandarin for kids)
Gordon & Li Li series introduce basic Chinese words to young children. Elmer's series feature an adventurous elephant and the short stories keep the attention of the young children. In the Snow, like At the Beach (from our last month's picks) introduces ten Chinese pictogram characters on a walk through a forest on a snowy day.
Gordon & Li Li Words for Everyday (Mandarin for kids)
[Board Book] Languages: English, pinyin and Chinese characters
Ages: 2 and up
Gordon & Li Li Count in Mandarin (Mandarin for kids)
[Board Book] Languages: English, pinyin and Chinese characters
Ages: 2 and up
Elmer's Weather (English-Chinese)
[Broad Book] Languages: English and Chinese
by David McKee
Ages: 3 and up
In the Snow
[paperback] Language: English; Chinese characters with pinyin
Ages: 3 and up
by Huy Voun Lee
Enjoy my book picks of the month and let me know your favorites!
Disclosure: These are the books my kids and I enjoyed. I use them to teach in my classes. I have no affiliation with the authors or publishers of the books listed here. All opinions expressed are my own. If you purchase the books via the amazon image links I receive a small commission to support my book collection in teaching Mandarin Chinese to young children.
Gordon & Li Li Words for Everyday (Mandarin for kids)
[Board Book] Languages: English, pinyin and Chinese characters
Ages: 2 and up
Gordon & Li Li Count in Mandarin (Mandarin for kids)
[Board Book] Languages: English, pinyin and Chinese characters
Ages: 2 and up
Elmer's Weather (English-Chinese)
[Broad Book] Languages: English and Chinese
by David McKee
Ages: 3 and up
In the Snow
[paperback] Language: English; Chinese characters with pinyin
Ages: 3 and up
by Huy Voun Lee
Enjoy my book picks of the month and let me know your favorites!
Disclosure: These are the books my kids and I enjoyed. I use them to teach in my classes. I have no affiliation with the authors or publishers of the books listed here. All opinions expressed are my own. If you purchase the books via the amazon image links I receive a small commission to support my book collection in teaching Mandarin Chinese to young children.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Chinese Character Fun: "Sun" or "Day" = 日
Miss Panda's Chinese Character Series featured Chinese character: 日(Rì) -This word means “sun" or "day."
We can use 日 Rì in the following phrases:
生日 -shēng rì = birthday
生日快樂 -shēng rì kuài lè = Happy birthday
日期 -rì qí = date
大日子 -dà rì zi = big day
星期日 -xīng qí rì = Sunday
Click below to hear how to properly pronounce this Chinese word:
Check this out on Chirbit
And click the character below to see how to write it with the proper stroke order:
We can use 日 Rì in the following phrases:
生日 -shēng rì = birthday
生日快樂 -shēng rì kuài lè = Happy birthday
日期 -rì qí = date
大日子 -dà rì zi = big day
星期日 -xīng qí rì = Sunday
Click below to hear how to properly pronounce this Chinese word:
Check this out on Chirbit
And click the character below to see how to write it with the proper stroke order:
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Learn to Sing Happy Birthday in Chinese (with Video)!
Are you ready to sing the Happy Birthday song in Mandarin Chinese?
Watch the video and then try it out yourself! You won't believe how simple and easy it is. If you're wondering the answer is "yes" - this really is the way we sing "Happy Birthday" in Chinese! You only have to remember 6 words. Next time it will be your turn to sing this song in Mandarin Chinese!
Watch the video and then try it out yourself! You won't believe how simple and easy it is. If you're wondering the answer is "yes" - this really is the way we sing "Happy Birthday" in Chinese! You only have to remember 6 words. Next time it will be your turn to sing this song in Mandarin Chinese!
English Lyrics (for Mandarin Chinese version):
Happy birthday to you (literally "Wish you Happy Birthday")
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
(x2)
Lyrics in Pinyin:
Zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè
Zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè
Zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè
Zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè
(x2)
Lyrics in Chinese: (traditional characters)
祝你生日快樂
祝你生日快樂
祝你生日快樂
祝你生日快樂
(x2)
Lyrics in Chinese: (simplified characters)
祝你生日快乐
祝你生日快乐
祝你生日快乐
祝你生日快乐
(x2)
Listen to the Happy Birthday song in Mandarin Chinese as sung by artist Jay Chou.
Video source:you tube-tugl77
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Top Chinese Restaurants in the U.S.
"Ding Tai Fung", one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, now has branches in the U.S. and Australia!
(photo/image source: DingTaiFung.com.tw)
"Chī le ma?" ("Have you eaten yet?") is a common greeting among Chinese people. It is even more popular than "Ni Hao!"("Hello"). This serves as a good clue that food plays a very important role in Chinese culture!
Cold cereal for breakfast?! While I was happy to have it when I was in college in the U.S., when I was back in Taiwan my typical breakfast could include an egg pancake, a few mini buns with pork and veggie fillings, and a glass of soy milk OR a ham and egg sandwich and a bottle of yogurt OR a plate of noodles with sesame sauce topped with shredded cucumber. Wild?! Maybe, but in Taiwan breakfast shops, bakeries and food stands line the street from your home to the nearest bus stop or metro station. It was very convenient... and delicious.
There are some well-known regional cuisines when we talk about Chinese dishes. The next time you go for Chinese food you might discover a new favorite dish.
Let's take a look at some parts of Chinese and their associated dishes:
Beijing: Hot and sour soup/Peking duck/Moo Shu pork
Cantonese/Hong Kong: Dim Sum/Sweet and sour pork/Beef brisket stew
Sìchuān: (Spicy!) Kung Pao Chicken/Ma Po Tofu/Dan Dan noodle/Chili Hot Pot
Shanghai: Pot Stickers/Xiao Long Bao
Taiwan: "Three Cups Chicken"/Oyster Vermicelli/Rice with stewed pork sauce/Very Spicy Hot Pot
I encourage you to go on a field trip to one of the best Chinese restaurants near you. This website I've listed below is a reference. I have not tried them all even though I would love to. If you have any wonderful Chinese restaurant you love please share it with us.
Here are a couple of links for your adventure
Top Chinese Restaurants in U.S., Canada, and Australia
50 Best Chinese Restaurants in the United States
Top Chinese Restaurants in U.S., Canada, and Australia
50 Best Chinese Restaurants in the United States
Yum!!! Taiwanese pork meat sauce with eggs & mushrooms - 台灣肉燥
Monday, March 12, 2012
Story Box: Snow White - Bái xuě gōng zhǔ - 白雪公主
We know the story of Snow White and now let's hear it in Mandarin Chinese. It is a short immersion program for the whole family. Can you hear the following phrases?
Snow White in Chinese is "White Snow Princess" - Bái xuě gōng zhǔ - 白雪公主
Queen - Huáng hòu 皇后
Princess - Gōngz hǔ 公主
Apple - Píng guǒ 蘋果
Prince - Wáng zǐ 王子
Have fun! SHARE the post if you enjoy it.
Video Source:YouTube-PlayhouseDsineyTW
Snow White in Chinese is "White Snow Princess" - Bái xuě gōng zhǔ - 白雪公主
Queen - Huáng hòu 皇后
Princess - Gōngz hǔ 公主
Apple - Píng guǒ 蘋果
Prince - Wáng zǐ 王子
Have fun! SHARE the post if you enjoy it.
Video Source:YouTube-PlayhouseDsineyTW
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Chinese Character Fun: Extremely = 太
Chinese Character Series featured Chinese character: 太 (Tài) - This word means “extremely, too, very." 太 has one more stroke than 大 (=dà- big).
Chinese Vocabulary - CLICK the Chinese character below to see its stroke order
We can use 太 tài in the following phrases:
太太 - tài tai = wife, married lady, Mrs.
太大 - tài dà = too big
太小 - tài xiǎo = too small
太餓 - tài è = too hungry
太忙 - tài máng = too busy
Listen to the audio track for pronunciation.
Check this out on Chirbit
(c)Copyright 2011 MissPandaChinese.com All Rights Reserved
Chinese Vocabulary - CLICK the Chinese character below to see its stroke order
We can use 太 tài in the following phrases:
太太 - tài tai = wife, married lady, Mrs.
太大 - tài dà = too big
太小 - tài xiǎo = too small
太餓 - tài è = too hungry
太忙 - tài máng = too busy
Listen to the audio track for pronunciation.
Check this out on Chirbit
(c)Copyright 2011 MissPandaChinese.com All Rights Reserved
Chinese Character Fun: Mouth - 口
Chinese Character Series featured Chinese character: 口 (Kǒu) - This is a picture word, which means "mouth." Chinese characters with this radical in it always have something to do with mouth.
Chinese Vocabulary - CLICK the Chinese character below to see its stroke order
We can use 口 kǒu in the following phrases:
一口 - yī kǒu = one bite
一大口 - yī dà kǒu = one big bite
一小口 - yī xiǎo kǒu = one small bite
吃一口 - chī yī kǒu = to have a bite
吃一大口 -chī yī xiǎo kǒu = to have a big bite
Listen to the audio track for pronunciation.
Check this out on Chirbit
(c)Copyright 2011 MissPandaChinese.com All Rights Reserved
Chinese Vocabulary - CLICK the Chinese character below to see its stroke order
We can use 口 kǒu in the following phrases:
一口 - yī kǒu = one bite
一大口 - yī dà kǒu = one big bite
一小口 - yī xiǎo kǒu = one small bite
吃一口 - chī yī kǒu = to have a bite
吃一大口 -chī yī xiǎo kǒu = to have a big bite
Listen to the audio track for pronunciation.
Check this out on Chirbit
(c)Copyright 2011 MissPandaChinese.com All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Jeremy Lin Speaking Mandarin Chinese
Here is Jeremy Lin speaking Mandarin Chinese in two interviews. Good job! This is inspiring for children who are learning the language.
Can you hear the following phrases Jeremy Lin said?
Xiǎo hái = children 小孩
Dǎ lán qiú = play basketball 打籃球
Enjoy!
News report - Press Conference in Taiwan. He mentioned his favorite Taiwanese dishes in Mandarin Chinese. Delicious picks!
Can you hear the following phrases Jeremy Lin said?
Xiǎo hái = children 小孩
Dǎ lán qiú = play basketball 打籃球
Enjoy!
News report - Press Conference in Taiwan. He mentioned his favorite Taiwanese dishes in Mandarin Chinese. Delicious picks!
Reading Time: "I Hate English!", "Dear Zoo" & more
There was a new student in one of the classes I was teaching last week. When I entered the classroom he had tears in his eyes and was standing by the door. The home room teacher told him to go in and sit down for the class but the little boy could not stop crying. Other children in the class shared their concerns with me and told me that the new boy did not understand English, it is his first day and he misses his mommy...
When you combine a new country, a new school and a new language together it can be quite scary for a young child. Read "I Hate English!" together with your child to learn more about the experiences of young children who are new to a foreign language and culture.
"Dear Zoo" is a cute board book that is full of surprises for little kids.
You will learn a few Chinese characters in "At the Beach." The next time you go to the beach you can have fun by trying out some of these Chinese characters in the sand.
"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" is another joyful book by one of my favorite authors, Grace Lin!
Enjoy my book picks of the month and leave a comment and let me know your favorites!
I Hate English
by Ellen Levine
[Ages 4 and up]
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
by Grace Lin
[Ages 8 and up]
Dear Zoo [English and Chinese edition]
by Rob Campbell
[Board book]
At the Beach
by Huy Voun Lee
[Ages 3 and up]
When you combine a new country, a new school and a new language together it can be quite scary for a young child. Read "I Hate English!" together with your child to learn more about the experiences of young children who are new to a foreign language and culture.
"Dear Zoo" is a cute board book that is full of surprises for little kids.
You will learn a few Chinese characters in "At the Beach." The next time you go to the beach you can have fun by trying out some of these Chinese characters in the sand.
"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" is another joyful book by one of my favorite authors, Grace Lin!
Enjoy my book picks of the month and leave a comment and let me know your favorites!
I Hate English
by Ellen Levine
[Ages 4 and up]
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
by Grace Lin
[Ages 8 and up]
Dear Zoo [English and Chinese edition]
by Rob Campbell
[Board book]
At the Beach
by Huy Voun Lee
[Ages 3 and up]
Monday, February 27, 2012
Music Video: Two Tigers - Liǎng zhī lǎo hǔ - 兩隻老虎
"Two Tigers" is a classic Chinese song for children. This is a familiar tune and is fun to sing with the little ones. Don't forget to add movement and action along with the lyrics to make it an action-filled play-learning experience!
I've put the lyrics below in Pinyin, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese with the English translation on top.
Two tigers two tigers
Liǎng zhī lǎo hǔ Liǎng zhī lǎo hǔ
兩 隻 老 虎 兩 隻 老 虎
两 只 老 虎 两 只 老 虎
Running fast running fast
Pǎo de kuài pǎo de kuài
跑 的 快 跑 的 快
跑 的 快 跑 的 快
One does not have eyes
Yī zhī méi yǒu yǎn jīng
一 隻 沒 有 眼 睛
一 只 没 有 眼 睛
One does not have a tail
Yī zhī méi yǒu wěi ba
一 隻 沒 有 尾 巴
一 只 没 有 尾 巴
How strange how strange
Zhēn qí guài zhēn qí guài
真 奇 怪 真 奇 怪
真 奇 怪 真 奇 怪
(Lyrics above from the Companion Learning Guide for the Miss Panda Chinese audio CD)
*** Video source: amandalin720's channel on You Tube ***
I've put the lyrics below in Pinyin, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese with the English translation on top.
Two tigers two tigers
Liǎng zhī lǎo hǔ Liǎng zhī lǎo hǔ
兩 隻 老 虎 兩 隻 老 虎
两 只 老 虎 两 只 老 虎
Running fast running fast
Pǎo de kuài pǎo de kuài
跑 的 快 跑 的 快
跑 的 快 跑 的 快
One does not have eyes
Yī zhī méi yǒu yǎn jīng
一 隻 沒 有 眼 睛
一 只 没 有 眼 睛
One does not have a tail
Yī zhī méi yǒu wěi ba
一 隻 沒 有 尾 巴
一 只 没 有 尾 巴
How strange how strange
Zhēn qí guài zhēn qí guài
真 奇 怪 真 奇 怪
真 奇 怪 真 奇 怪
(Lyrics above from the Companion Learning Guide for the Miss Panda Chinese audio CD)
*** Video source: amandalin720's channel on You Tube ***
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Chinese Character Fun: 月 -"yuè" - moon
Check out my featured Chinese character: 月 (yuè) - This is a picture word, which means "moon" or "month."
*Click to generate your own vocabulary.
We can use 月 (yuè) in the following phrases.
Moon (used when referring to the phases of the moon and its brightness):
Yuè liàng - 月亮
Moon (used when referencing the moon as a heavenly body as in "astronauts visited the moon"):
Yuè qiú - 月球
Moon cake:
Yuè bǐng - 月餅
Month - "Which month?":
Jǐ yuè - 幾月
September (literally "9th month"):
Jiǔ yuè - 九月
Listen to the pronunciation of the word and the phrases CLICK BELOW.
Check this out on Chirbit
Chinese Vocabulary - CLICK the Chinese character below to see its stroke order
月 stop*Click to generate your own vocabulary.
We can use 月 (yuè) in the following phrases.
Moon (used when referring to the phases of the moon and its brightness):
Yuè liàng - 月亮
Moon (used when referencing the moon as a heavenly body as in "astronauts visited the moon"):
Yuè qiú - 月球
Moon cake:
Yuè bǐng - 月餅
Month - "Which month?":
Jǐ yuè - 幾月
September (literally "9th month"):
Jiǔ yuè - 九月
Listen to the pronunciation of the word and the phrases CLICK BELOW.
Check this out on Chirbit
Hugh Jackman Singing in Chinese
This is fun. Check out Hugh Jackman (X-Men) singing in Mandarin Chinese!
Title of the song is "Give me a kiss" - Gěi wǒ yī gè wěn 給我一個吻.
Useful phrases to know:
OK - Kě yǐ - 可以
Not OK - Bù kě yǐ - 不可以
Title of the song is "Give me a kiss" - Gěi wǒ yī gè wěn 給我一個吻.
Useful phrases to know:
OK - Kě yǐ - 可以
Not OK - Bù kě yǐ - 不可以
Monday, February 13, 2012
Reading Time: "Dumpling Days" and more!
Reading together makes learning a language and its culture fun! I like to share my own stories with my children when we read stories related to Chinese culture or life in Mainland China or in Taiwan.
Recently my daughter, Meimei, was asked to help out a Chinese girl who does not speak very much English in a weekend art class. Meimei told me that the girl was able to work on her Valentine's day art project because she explained to the girl what the teacher wanted them to create. A week later, she told me she found out that there is another girl in her class who can also speak English and Chinese. I could tell she was happy to meet someone just like her who has two languages and two cultures.
One of my recommended books below, "Dumpling Days", tells the story of a young girl who goes to Taiwan for a month to help prepare for her grandmother's 60th birthday. At first she finds fitting in harder than she expected but at least the dumplings are delicious!
In my family we love to make dumplings at home. Our homemade dumplings come in different shapes - they are not the traditional dumplings, they are the "creative" kind. My children have a story behind every dumpling. It is just like the fun we have when we read together.
Have fun reading this month's book picks from Miss Panda! Happy Reading!
A New Year's Reunion
by Li Qion Yu
Dumpling Days
by Grace Lin
Yeh-Shen A Cinderella Story from China
by Ai-Ling Louie
Sam and the Lucky Money
by Karen Chinn
Enjoy and keeping learning fun!
Recently my daughter, Meimei, was asked to help out a Chinese girl who does not speak very much English in a weekend art class. Meimei told me that the girl was able to work on her Valentine's day art project because she explained to the girl what the teacher wanted them to create. A week later, she told me she found out that there is another girl in her class who can also speak English and Chinese. I could tell she was happy to meet someone just like her who has two languages and two cultures.
One of my recommended books below, "Dumpling Days", tells the story of a young girl who goes to Taiwan for a month to help prepare for her grandmother's 60th birthday. At first she finds fitting in harder than she expected but at least the dumplings are delicious!
In my family we love to make dumplings at home. Our homemade dumplings come in different shapes - they are not the traditional dumplings, they are the "creative" kind. My children have a story behind every dumpling. It is just like the fun we have when we read together.
Have fun reading this month's book picks from Miss Panda! Happy Reading!
A New Year's Reunion
by Li Qion Yu
Dumpling Days
by Grace Lin
Yeh-Shen A Cinderella Story from China
by Ai-Ling Louie
Sam and the Lucky Money
by Karen Chinn
Enjoy and keeping learning fun!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Happy Lantern Festival! Closing out Chinese New Year Celebrations with a Lantern!
Today is the fifteenth day of the lunar new year and it is the Chinese Lantern Festival.
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the fifteen days of Chinese New Year celebration. Families eat sweet or salty sticky rice balls known as “tang yuan” or “yuan xiao” on this day. As the night arrives children carry paper lanterns with battery-operated lights to join the annual lantern festival celebrations, which are typically held at parks and monuments throughout the island of Taiwan. The design of the lanterns change each year according to the rotation of the twelve Chinese birth signs.
2012, for example, is the year of the dragon – the most popular of all birth signs. This year dragon-shaped, paper lanterns were given away for free to the residents and visitors of Taipei. The Taipei Lantern Festival 2012 is at Taipei City Hall and the nearby Sun Yat Sun Memorial Park area. These little lanterns and the beautiful, giant lanterns on display at these festival celebrations make for a wonderful field trip for the kids.
What's More?
There is one more tradition on the Lantern Festival that is the Lantern Riddle Game. It is a game for both adults and children. The traditional Chinese Lantern Festival riddles can be quite challenging. Some of the them are based on history and some of them are based on the Chinese characters. The riddles are attached to the lanterns and the person who can solve a riddle can win a prize.
Sky Lantern Festival. See the lanterns flying to the sky!
Have a wonderful year of the Dragon! = Lóng nián wàn shì rú yì = 龍年萬事如意
Learning More About Chinese New Year:
The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac -HapaMama
Chinese New Year Traditions and the Year of the Dragon -Jeanette's Healthy Living
Celebrating Chinese New Year in Taipei, Taiwan -Travels With Baby
The Symbolism Behind Chinese New Year Foods Bicultural Mama
Gong Xi! The Excitement of the Chinese New Year! -Making Multicultural Music
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Chinese New Year Must-Know Lucky Phrases
Happy Chinese New Year! Happy Year of the Dragon!
The most important thing during the Chinese New Year is to keep a positive spirit and to say the traditional Chinese lucky phrases when greeting family and friends. Here are the TOP three lucky phrases you will hear during Chinese New Year. Now you can try them out yourself and see the magic reaction you get! Watch the video and say them with Miss Panda's little cubs!
1. Gōng xǐ - Congratulations!
Most of the time, you will hear people say this phrase twice in a row as
"Gōng xǐ, gōng xǐ!"
2. Xīn nián kuài lè - Happy New Year.
Xīn = new
nián = year
kuài lè = happy
3. Wàn shì rú yì - May everything go as you wish.
Wàn = ten thousand
shì = things
rú yì = as you wish
Miss Panda's little cubs helped out with this video - I hope you enjoy it!
The most important thing during the Chinese New Year is to keep a positive spirit and to say the traditional Chinese lucky phrases when greeting family and friends. Here are the TOP three lucky phrases you will hear during Chinese New Year. Now you can try them out yourself and see the magic reaction you get! Watch the video and say them with Miss Panda's little cubs!
1. Gōng xǐ - Congratulations!
Most of the time, you will hear people say this phrase twice in a row as
"Gōng xǐ, gōng xǐ!"
2. Xīn nián kuài lè - Happy New Year.
Xīn = new
nián = year
kuài lè = happy
3. Wàn shì rú yì - May everything go as you wish.
Wàn = ten thousand
shì = things
rú yì = as you wish
Miss Panda's little cubs helped out with this video - I hope you enjoy it!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Chinese Character Fun: Dragon = 龍 = "Lóng"!
Writing Chinese characters is a lot of fun! The rule of thumb when writing Chinese characters is to start writing the strokes from top to bottom and from left to right. The most important thing to remember is to follow the stroke order so the character comes out looking right. Follow me and you will see what I mean!
Today we will learn how to say and write the Chinese character for the word "dragon" in order to to get ready for the upcoming Chinese "Year of the Dragon!"
Click below to hear how to properly pronounce this Chinese word:
Check this out on Chirbit
And click below to see how to write it with the proper stroke order:
Today we will learn how to say and write the Chinese character for the word "dragon" in order to to get ready for the upcoming Chinese "Year of the Dragon!"
Click below to hear how to properly pronounce this Chinese word:
Check this out on Chirbit
And click below to see how to write it with the proper stroke order:
Thursday, January 5, 2012
2012 Year of the DRAGON - Chinese New Year Calendar of Events in U.S., Canada, Australia
The best way to learn is to see, to hear, to feel, to touch, and to taste. This definitely applies to learning a language and its culture.
Do you know I still remember my very first bite of the authentic McDonald's Big Mac in L.A. when I visited the U.S. the very first time many many years ago? It might sound silly but it was quite an experience after hearing about the Big Mac and looking at the pictures of a Big Mac for a while in Taiwan. Food always motivates me and you know the rest of the story I tried all kinds of fast food restaurants and learned many names and words about hamburgers, fried chicken, and seafood. That was very yummy and fun.
My cousin came to the States for a visit from China and took a summer English program in a college a few year ago. He had his first real American hamburger one day and he was thrilled as well. He learned how to order everything on his own in English on his field trip.
When we visit Taiwan, my children would go to the convenience stores to buy snacks and chat with the staff about the snacks they have never seen before in Mandarin Chinese. They also go to the tea house to order their favorite bubble tea on their own. Power of language is so delicious!
Here is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy and to explore the Chinese language and Chinese culture during the Chinese New Year celebration this year. The list is arranged by location and each entry is linked to its official event website. Find one event near you. Go out and have some fun! Why not try out the Chinese words, phrases, sentences you know? And make sure you taste some traditional Chinese New Year food.
If you would like to add event location(s) to the CALENDAR OF EVENTS list I put together please feel free to do so in the comment area.
Happy New Year of the Dragon! - lóng nían kuài lè - 龍年快樂! - 龙年快乐!
2012 Year of the DRAGON - Chinese New Year Calendar of Events
in U.S., Canada, Australia
U.S.
California
San Francisco - Chinatown
San Francisco - Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair
San Francisco - Chinese New Year events
San Diego
Los Angeles, California - The Golden Dragon Parade
Los Angeles, California - Asian American Expo Celebrating the Lunar New Year Festivities
Monterey Park, California - Chinese New Year Festival
San Marino, Califonia
Hawaii
Honolulu Chinatown Chinese New Year Festivities
Maryland
Rockville, Maryland-2012 Lunar New Year Celebration
Massachusetts
Massachusetts - Quincy Asian Resources Annual Lunar New Year Festival
New York
New York
Flushing, New York
Texas
Austin, Texas - Chinatown Center Year of the Dragon Celebration
Houston, Texas - Lunar New Year Houston
Virginia
Falls Church - Chinese New Year Festival
Washington DC
Washington DC area
AUSTRALIA
Brisbane - Chinese New Year @ Sunnybank
Sydney - Chinese New Year Festival
Chinese New Year in Australia - Resource website
CANADA
Vancouver, Canada - Chinese New Year Parade and Festival
Picture source: huan tian xi di by zheng xiang
Do you know I still remember my very first bite of the authentic McDonald's Big Mac in L.A. when I visited the U.S. the very first time many many years ago? It might sound silly but it was quite an experience after hearing about the Big Mac and looking at the pictures of a Big Mac for a while in Taiwan. Food always motivates me and you know the rest of the story I tried all kinds of fast food restaurants and learned many names and words about hamburgers, fried chicken, and seafood. That was very yummy and fun.
My cousin came to the States for a visit from China and took a summer English program in a college a few year ago. He had his first real American hamburger one day and he was thrilled as well. He learned how to order everything on his own in English on his field trip.
When we visit Taiwan, my children would go to the convenience stores to buy snacks and chat with the staff about the snacks they have never seen before in Mandarin Chinese. They also go to the tea house to order their favorite bubble tea on their own. Power of language is so delicious!
Here is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy and to explore the Chinese language and Chinese culture during the Chinese New Year celebration this year. The list is arranged by location and each entry is linked to its official event website. Find one event near you. Go out and have some fun! Why not try out the Chinese words, phrases, sentences you know? And make sure you taste some traditional Chinese New Year food.
If you would like to add event location(s) to the CALENDAR OF EVENTS list I put together please feel free to do so in the comment area.
Happy New Year of the Dragon! - lóng nían kuài lè - 龍年快樂! - 龙年快乐!
2012 Year of the DRAGON - Chinese New Year Calendar of Events
in U.S., Canada, Australia
U.S.
California
San Francisco - Chinatown
San Francisco - Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair
San Francisco - Chinese New Year events
San Diego
Los Angeles, California - The Golden Dragon Parade
Los Angeles, California - Asian American Expo Celebrating the Lunar New Year Festivities
Monterey Park, California - Chinese New Year Festival
San Marino, Califonia
Hawaii
Honolulu Chinatown Chinese New Year Festivities
Maryland
Rockville, Maryland-2012 Lunar New Year Celebration
Massachusetts
Massachusetts - Quincy Asian Resources Annual Lunar New Year Festival
New York
New York
Flushing, New York
Texas
Austin, Texas - Chinatown Center Year of the Dragon Celebration
Houston, Texas - Lunar New Year Houston
Virginia
Falls Church - Chinese New Year Festival
Washington DC
Washington DC area
AUSTRALIA
Brisbane - Chinese New Year @ Sunnybank
Sydney - Chinese New Year Festival
Chinese New Year in Australia - Resource website
CANADA
Vancouver, Canada - Chinese New Year Parade and Festival
Picture source: huan tian xi di by zheng xiang
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Reading Time: Chinese New Year
Let's get ready for the Chinese New Year! This year is the year of the DRAGON and the Chinese New Year is on January 23rd. Dragon year only comes once every twelve years so it is very special. Dragon means power, wealth, and good fortune for Chinese. Do you know the ancient Chinese emperors wore lóng páo 龍袍, Dragon robe?
Chinese New Year is my favorite Chinese celebration and there are many interesting traditions about it. Do you know the Chinese families start preparing for the arrival of Chinese New Year on the 23rd day of December on the lunar calendar? The traditional celebration goes from the 1st day of the New Year to the 15th day. The Lantern Festival marks the completion of the Chinese New Year celebration.
Let's have fun reading about the Chinese New Year and get ready for the year of the Dragon!
This is Miss Panda's monthly book selection and each image of the book is linked directly to Amazon. I am able to find most of the books listed here in the library as well.
Bring In the New Year
by Grace Lin
Happy Chinese New Year, Kai-lan!
Simon Spotlight
Happy New Year! / Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'ai!
by DEMI DEMI
The Dancing Dragon
by Marcia K. Vaughan
Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes
Chinese New Year is my favorite Chinese celebration and there are many interesting traditions about it. Do you know the Chinese families start preparing for the arrival of Chinese New Year on the 23rd day of December on the lunar calendar? The traditional celebration goes from the 1st day of the New Year to the 15th day. The Lantern Festival marks the completion of the Chinese New Year celebration.
Let's have fun reading about the Chinese New Year and get ready for the year of the Dragon!
This is Miss Panda's monthly book selection and each image of the book is linked directly to Amazon. I am able to find most of the books listed here in the library as well.
Bring In the New Year
by Grace Lin
Happy Chinese New Year, Kai-lan!
Simon Spotlight
Happy New Year! / Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'ai!
by DEMI DEMI
The Dancing Dragon
by Marcia K. Vaughan
Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes
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