English Teacher Cheryl Huang
Let’s talk turkey!…What is included here is not simply Christmas turkey but more about the whole midterm project, “Seasons Greetings!” for grade two students. By the time we got started with our midterm project, Christmas was right around the corner. It occurred to us that grade two students could do something meaningful for this school just like what they have brought to people here with their Christmas Carol Show these years. Besides, Christmas is always popular with kids! In terms of cognitive development, this is a suitable and doable project for grade two students since they have some background knowledge on Christmas. Therefore, this project was designed to afford students the opportunity to gain a little more profound knowledge about this festival. Also, a concept of caring was incorporated into this “Christmas project.”
This project is based on a main reading in grade two students’ textbook. We hope students to learn from the key concept, caring, and to be able to reflect on themselves. Their previous experience in grade one is recalled to remind themselves of their power to contribute to this school. With this project, we hope to offer students reassurance and praise they need to keep building their confidence. This time, they will help decorate the campus with their handmade artworks.
The artworks are made not merely for fun. Students design. Everything in the artwork is selected for a reason—no random item. Students go through four stages from learning about Christmas spirit (kindness, joy, love, thankfulness, and sharing), doing research on Christmas elements (history, activities, food, and decoration), creating their artworks, and improving their design. Finally, their artworks are designed in the shape of colorful baubles and displayed on campus just like Christmas window display on the street! If you happen to see an artwork, you can find a theme, or a story, inside it.
From this project, students learned about what Christmas is, and why and how Christmas is celebrated in a systematic way. They learned to express themselves by showing kindness, joy, love, thankfulness, or sharing to their family, friends, or even people in need. They have their way to make their efforts as grade two students—this year they bring more festive atmosphere for our campus. Their Christmas artworks have been hung up on the lobby windows beside the airplane. Look up and you will feel their love–which is one of the Christmas spirit!