Week 14 - Writing SENTENCES & 做习字

Today we continue practice writing and forming sentences. For my boy, I still focus on 'Filling in the blanks' to complete sentences. For my gal, I did Compound sentences today. She learns to use so, but & and. Not too bad for her first try as she managed to get all her sentences 'joined' correctly.

I gave her 12 strips, she completed 10 of them & learn her 听写 for tml as well. 

As for my boy, yes he detest writing and nag while he writes. In the end, he took 30mins just for 5 SENTENCES!! Yes, but it's ok cos there is a saying 'Practise makes Perfect!'

Today I started them on daily Chinese writing. Reason was I find both my kids don't like Chinese and also seriously, can't read Chinese storybooks as well. My girl started on the Chinese books, along with Hanyu Pinyin and she could decipher most of them to read. My boy is totally new to this. So I just started him on simple Chinese words.

As for my gal, long story short, I realized she hasn't been behaving well during Chinese lesson. She told me she doesn't like Chinese and even though she makes effort to learn her 听写 but that is all she does. So I tell myself, daily 30mins of Chinese writing and I will read 1-2 passage from the books. Once I completed Book 1, I think I can start Book 1 on my boy too. 

Oh, don't ask me why I don't start both of them, I was thinking of settling my gal first then start slowly on my boy. 

Week 13 - Hazy Monday

Today PSI was high once againand my gal has been coughing since last week. Due to some irressponsible decision by the school to practise for K2 Grad Concert. 

Definetely understand that portion as they need to make sure everyone is in sync and so on but to me, child's health is more important. And majority of parents were not aware and never prepare any mask, including me. Upon seeing that scenario, shouldnt they forsake idea of going outdoor. Seriously with a PSI of 150+, Teacher tell me that they see the skies was quite clear and dont really smell haze so they went out with Principal permission?!? Nxt day Principal came to spoke to me upon hearing my displeasure, she said she was in a meeting and only aware after it happen. Win lor! So today my gal's bill at GP is $70+, who is paying? Me lo!

Anyway, no point crying over spilled milk. I have prepare a mask for in case of such incidents. On other hand, i remind the kids every morning that they should not go outdoor. And i also tell teacher that both my kids have sinus so pleaseeeee...

Today my gal, including me went to GP. So we do simple assessment, hands on learning then Roll Dice Activity that a lovely Mummy did for me. Kids had fun and my boy can READ! 

The kids even had some bonding time with Grandma "picking sticks". And savouring yummy Doggy cookies. 

Week 8 (Tuesday) - 我们来学华文!

Today I took out Book 1 of this 6 Book set that I bought previously. Main motive is to teach both kids together but plan changed, I decided to focus for my gal in order to prep her for P1. 

Basically, am getting her to be familiarize with reading in Chinese, as well as seeing how the HYPY is for each character. Main reason I like this books are because they are not as profound as the Book series - 四五快读. Previously I wanted to get that for them but hesitate as it is really a bit too "high" for their level, considering that I seldom do Chinese at home. 

This book is good and for a start since it is easy, I am doing 2 stories for today. New words are 一二三四 which she already knows. But I get her to do 习字 as a revision. I also dig out the word cards and punch them into a ring to "test"her as and when. This is quite good for a start. 

For my boy, as he is sick, I just did revision for Letter Sounds. Apparently there are some tricky words that I need to sound out slowly. He had problem with "drum", "tree", "question mark" etc. 

Link for above activity is here

Week 7 (Tuesday) - Spinner & HYPY for Irisa

Been wanting to try this Spinner with HYPY learning for my gal. Her HYPY very bad and keeps mixing up with phonics. So I tot of using some learning activities that will leave a deeper impression on her. 

Initally I did a b, p, m, f wheel with a, o, e, i, u wheel. After spinning twice, I tot it would be good to focus on 1 PY at a time. So we use "b" + a, i, u, ao, ai, ing, ang. She slowly add 2 sounds but still unable to sound out. Its ok for the 1st trial and i will repeat this activity til she is good at it. Baby step at a time.

My boy is still doing Maths. Practising addition and subtraction. Day 2 and he seems to be getting better. Taught him to use drawing lines to add and subtract. Good job. Next we can move on to 20 and beyond.

This morning we even practise with Maths set while we did a Mummy & Son breakfast bonding time!

Journey to Chinese Reading & HYPY - Lesson 1

For my English learning, I numbered them by weeks. So for my Chinese learning journey, I will number them by Lessons. Today marks my 1st Lesson!

I used a chart that shows the different sounds of the HYPY. With a transparency, so I could keep reminding on the 4 different tones of the HYPY. Coupled with the basic Chinese storybooks that I have gotten long ago, we start our 1st lesson. 

Today we will read and get used to the HYPY while waiting for the HYPY book & the 识字本 to come in so that I can start on writing the "Sight/Frequent-used" Chinese characters. We read 4 pages, for 3 times. Emphasizing on the 4 different tones, the blends of the different sounds. Wow, no easy task but we will overcome it by learning together! Jia you!