Zoom Teaching for Grandsons, Day 43 Report - June 11 2020 - The Last Zoom Teaching

Forest Report:

  1. Distant teaching from "Skype" instead to solve the problem of  "poor audio from Zoom".

  2. Forest was not interested in making art project (necktie) from construction/foam paper!  He indicated that he was tired!
  3. I asked all the books (800) that he had read in the past! Amazingly, he was able to discuss with me about every single book from Merlin's Mission, 27 of them - The plot, characters, location, time sequence in details! I printed the wiki from "Magic Tree House Merlin Mission." He indeed is a avid reader. I am very proud of him!
  4. He said, "Mrs. E will give him Hawk & Peregrine falcon books to read!"  His teacher is very nice for Forest to encourage his reading to another level!

  Let me know the plan tomorrow! He told me he is attending Montessori school all day!

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Yes he is a very good reader.  Mrs. E is suggesting some new series he can read. 
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Great! He wasn't feeling tired when we were discussing every single book!  That's a lot of books!
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No distant learning any more, since two kids are going to summer Montessori!
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Wesley was watching his videos when we were having Skype lesson! Forest told me you let him- hard to make the young 3 years old engaged! I am sorry l can not help you!
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Zoom Teaching for Grandsons, Day 42 Report - June 10, 2020

Sorry to miss Forest's class today! We plan to make "neckties from origami & foam paper!"

Let me know about tomorrow & future plans- audio issues with Forest is minimal! Wesley's issues? I don't know!

June 21, 2020 - Washington D.C. Taiwanese School, Advanced Mandarin Conversation Summer Class

June 21, 2020 - Washington D.C. Taiwanese School, Advanced Mandarin Conversation Summer Class

·         June 21, 2020 - DC Taiwanese School, Advanced Mandarin Conversation Summer Class

·         We discussed the following issues:

• Today is Father's Day. Is everyone having a good Father's Day? (今天是父親節。 大家父親節快樂嗎？ - Jīntiān shì fùqīn jié. Dà jiā fùqīn jié kuàilè ma?)
• Steve said "my wife and daughter made chocolate pan-cake and syrup and bacon  for breakfast." (Steven (葛艾倫)說：“我的太太和女兒做了巧克力煎餅，糖漿和培根，讓我吃早餐。” - Shǐ dì fū shuō:“Wǒ de Tàitài hé nǚ'ér zuòle qiǎokèlì jiānbing, tángjiāng hé péigēn, ràng wǒ chī zǎocān.”)
•  Chocolate and syrup are sweet and bacon is salty, but I like it very much (巧克力和糖漿很甜，培根很鹹，但我非常喜歡 Qiǎokèlì hé tángjiāng hěn tián, péigēn hěn xián, dàn wǒ fēicháng xǐhuān)
• My wife and daughters gave me a "favorite Father's book" (Raymond (書宗)說: 我的太太和女兒給了我一本“最喜歡的父親的書”- Raymond (書宗) shuō:Wǒ de Tàitài hé nǚ'ér gěile wǒ yī běn “zuì xǐhuān de fùqīn de shū”)

Raymond (書宗)

1.      We plan to drive to Cape Charles Shore in Virginia for summer break.  It is less people over there.

我們將開車到弗吉尼亞州查爾斯海岸過暑假。那邊的人少。

Wǒmen jiāng Kāichē Dào fújíníyǎ zhōu chá'ěrsī  hǎi'àn dùguò shǔjià。It's less people over there。

Steven (葛艾倫)

2.      We plan to rent a house up on the mountain for hiking.  My wife does not like camping.

我們計劃在山上租一間房子在山上走走。 我太太不喜歡露營。

Wǒmen jìhuà zài shānshàng zū yī jiàn fángzi zài shānshàng zǒuzǒu. Wǒ Tàitài bù xǐhuān lùyíng.

Raymond (書宗) and Steven (葛艾倫)

 3.      We are still working from home, it will probably be about the end of this year to go back to the office.

我們仍然在家裡工作。 到今年年底可能才能回到辦公室!

Wǒmen réngrán zài jiālǐ gōngzuò. Dào jīnnián niándǐ kěnéng cáinéng huí dào bàngōngshì!

C.  Class Discussion

Lesson 45 (下雨天Xià yǔtiān – A Raining Day)

We discussed simplified and traditional Chinese characters issues.  Raymond's mother does not like simplified Chinese characters.  I said, "I do not like it, either."

我們討論了簡體和繁體中文問題。 雷蒙德的母親不喜歡簡體中文。 我說，我也不喜歡.

Wǒmen tǎolùnle jiǎntǐ hé fántǐ zhōngwén wèntí. Léi méng dé de mǔqīn bù xǐhuān jiǎntǐ zhōngwén. Wǒ shuō, wǒ yě bù xǐhuān.

Assignment for the first summer class - Written words practice as follows: 

 氣象 (Weather Qìxiàng) (Traditional Chinese) - The air and the people offering the rice to the nature - Rice is the main staple of human being.  It is as important as air to the living things.

气 (Weather Qìxiàng)(Simplified Chinese)

 毛毛雨(Máomaoyǔ-) – drizzle.  The rain drops is as tiny as animal hair.

 晃 (Huǎng) – sun with brightness - dazzle - sway - shake

 Next Summer class is on Sunday, July 5, 2020 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  It is the day after Independence Day!

Let me know if you want to keep it as we planned or skip it to the following Sunday July 12, 2020.  I am flexible.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Zoom Teaching for Grandsons, Day 41 Report - June 9, 2020

Wesley Report:

He was in good mood playing his Zoom session button to control the picture on & off- not focusing with the toys I displayed! The audio went choppy again! We had to stop the session! 25 minutes chatting away was not the best session!
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Forest Report:
1. We practiced math subtraction-- 10 subtracts ---- to make flower with the petals - then color his birth date when the answer 9 and 4.  He colored them blues. He wrote "I was dorn on 9-4".  I reminded him the "b" "d" reversals.  He then corrected himself.

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2. I planned to have art session with "foam paper" but, l decided to stop the session early, because Forest showed the fatigue sign!
3. He started to show me his room with his 福森 Chinese name on the wall.  He agreed to end early today!

4. We reviewed all the alphabets pictures l drew yesterday for Wesley, who was not focused with me today. Forest likes his "flag, sun, elephant swan& tent!" Pictures

Zoom Teaching for Grandsons, Day 40 Report - June 8, 2020

Wesley Report:

It's the first half-day Montessori school for him. Zoom class starts around 1:20 p.m. instead of 1:30 p.m. as planned.

1. I used 26 alphabets drawings to show his interest- he was able to read his names out! At least, he was able to recognize what they are until "R" for rabbit- he started showing fatigue signs!

2. We showed "Ride on Otto" 4 minutes animated read-along story- he was not all into the content - the sound effect was not too effective from the YouTube today!

3. The "Fire Trucks" YouTube started with "poor choppy sound." He didn't like it! Then as usual, the old "crying" trick forced me to try my patience.

Oh well! That's all today for Him! 30 minutes session is enough to keep him focused.
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Forest Report:

I had trouble with "failed to start video" on my end from the start 2:30 p.m. until 3:30p.m.  I was not sure if it's Forest's watching his "Road Trip" video before the session start had anything to do with it.  Or may be it's broad-band issues.

Oh, well, "I tried many times to re start and update the Zoom settings according to trouble shooting message"

No success!

At least, Forest was very nice to encourage me to keep talking to him without my video to see my face.

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I sent both parents the messages when encountering the problems.  No response!  The last message: "We should run test to solve the problems if we want to continue Zoom session! Thanks!"

Zoom Teaching for Grandsons, Day 39 Report - June 5, 2020

Wesley Report:

He was reading "Giant Children" book! I suggested That we could read together on the computer after he's done!
1. He insisted that he wants "3 little pigs & big bad wolf" video first, the read along!
2. My YouTube is slow during the 3 little pigs video + the choppy audio made today's Zoom another "my failure to come with a good approach" with Wesley! I am still searching! A little advice will be greatly appreciated!
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Forest Report:

1. He is a "show master" always! Not only did he show me the steam-roller paving the street scene, but also the grand tour of the outside fresh painting + new landscapes (nice)
2. After he finished his home-made grape-popsicle, the Zoom changed to his room!
3. He decided to make "father's day card design" first before we practice math addition (a riddle -what has 88 keys but can't open a single door?)

The math is easy- l try not to frustrate him( it's Friday! And he told me he finished all his homework)!

Please check his composition book to make sure why l did not challenge him with 10 regroup questions!

Zoom Teaching for Grandsons, Day 38 Report - June 4, 2020

Wesley Report:

Zoom class starts late 11:14 a.m.
1. He was very eager to show me his LEGO project
2. Shows off origami letter holder given by Forest
3. He originally had a "shark" stuffed animal loaned from Forest, then it was taken away by Daddy-then he was upset lowering his head on the desk! When it was returned, he was calm & happy!
4. Alphabet songs with "Bob the train & shapes & wonderful world of sea"

The audio system was in poor quality with choppy sound- we decided to end Zoom meeting

Forest Report:

1. He's happy to do his Math work sheet homework-mixed with addition & subtraction problems- he still needs to do more drills to get the concept of more than 10 to get easier for him to tackle the problems. He told me he used his 2magic ways to solve the problems- please find out from him to make sure!
2. Bonus project to make "flower from construction paper" - he is smart & creative to do by himself without looking at YouTube (it is slow anyway today-not loaded)

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Good session today!

Zoom Teaching for Grandsons, Day 37 Report - June 3, 2020

Wesley Report:

1. He was very eager to show me his LEGO project- biggest one- bigger than dinosaur
2. We chatted about "visiting grandmother's house" so he could have the "36 markers" l promised him!
3. I made the flowers from tissue paper which he chose his favorite colors (blue,green,black) for me to paint on the flowers!
4. We went upstairs to visit Eric's room. They all wanted to inherit his spacecrafts!
5. We reviewed "family album" l made    With "children nursery songs music backdrops- he enjoyed a lot!
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Forest Report:

1. He read 30 minutes for his Zoom session- Epic story about pirates. I kept asking for his assignment from Mrs. E! He was very reluctant and claimed the difficulties of his homework!
2. Mother finally came in to help! At that time, it was clearly that he did not want to do it! He was angry that l did not get "fly guy, the insect" correct! I showed him "sly guy, the insect!" When he complained that the computer took a long time to load the information for him! Finally, Hans came to rescue due to the loud voice from Forest! We decided to end the Zoom session! He said he will help him later!
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Definitely, Forest is not happy today!

Zoom Teaching for Grandsons, Day 36 Report - June 2, 2020

Wesley Report:

1. It was a waste time for me to wait for 11:00 a.m. Wesley Zoom- no show! Reminds for parents with texts/phone calls- they both are in meetings at work from home!
2. He shows his heart project & Forest's pictures for him!

3. Plan B- starts Wesley at 1:00 p.m.
4. YouTube with "police car & fire trucks" to finish the session with him.
Forest Report:2:30 p.m. after both of watching iPad for 30 minutes from 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.-need supervision for video watching control!
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1. Forest seemed to be tired from watching videos too long. Slow going for "assigned homework in steps -first, next, then, last, and...Leopard Gecko project!"
2. Frustrating about the instructions-
3. I recorded his writing when he shared with me after he finished!
4. The mistakes of "b" & "d" reversal problems in "habitat & did" - a sign of fatigue
5. Father's Day recording & writing project -he did 3 times - problems solving himself when he discovered the mistakes which l ha had no way to find out- good sign of working out solutions himself! However l do not know which was bothering him!
6. Work until almost 4:00 p.m when l saw Hans was in the room talking in his meeting and Forest was also in the room! I asked for ending the Zoom session!
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It's a long day! I do not know if l am of any help!
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I will mail you more medical face mask for both kids and you both!  Please let them practice wear the masks for protection in case you are thinking about daycare! They need the serious danger of playing with people too closely!
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Kids in Taiwan all wear the face masks in the classroom!
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Please let me know the schedules for tomorrow!

Thanks!

June 7, 2020 - Washington D.C. Taiwanese School, Advanced Mandarin Conversation Summer Class

·         June 7, 2020 Washington DC Taiwanese School, Advanced Mandarin Conversation Summer Class

·         We discussed the following issues:

• The whole world is near the brink of chaos (整個世界都處於混亂的邊緣 - Zhěnggè shìjiè dōu chǔyú hǔnluàn de biānyuán)
• When you are silent, you are part of the problems (當你沉默時，你就是問題的一部分 - Dāng nǐ chénmò shí, nǐ jiùshì wèntí de yībùfèn)
•  When you are silent, you are complicit (當你沉默時，你就是同謀 - Dāng nǐ chénmò shí, nǐ jiùshì tóngmóu)
• will you take your children along to participate the demonstration for police brutality? (您會帶孩子一起參加警察暴行示威嗎？- Nín huì dài háizi yīqǐ cānjiā jǐngchá bàoxíng shìwēi ma?)

Raymond (書宗)

1.      Everyone,  not only the President but also the policy makers need to think about this serious problem and come up with how to face the change

每個人，不僅是總統，而且決策者都需要考慮這個嚴重的問題，並提出如何應對變化。

Měi gèrén, bùjǐn shì zǒngtǒng, érqiě juécè zhě dōu xūyào kǎolǜ zhège yánzhòng de wèntí, bìng tíchū rúhé yìngduì biànhuà

Steven (葛艾倫)

2.      African Americans not only the students but also the professors in Johns Hopkins University would like everyone to hear their voices about how they are suffered before.  They do not think they are safe anymore.

非洲裔美國人不僅約翰霍普金斯大學的學生，而且是教授們，都希望每個人都能聽到他們以前遭受苦難的聲音。 他們不認為自己已經安全了。

Fēizhōu yì měiguó rén bùjǐn yuēhàn huò pǔ jīn sī dàxué de xuéshēng, érqiě shì jiàoshòumen, dōu xīwàng měi gèrén dōu néng tīngdào tāmen yǐqián zāoshòu kǔnàn de shēngyīn. Tāmen bù rènwéi zìjǐ yǐjīng ānquánle.

Raymond (書宗) and Steven (葛艾倫)

 3.       I will not take my children to participate the demonstration amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.  It is dangerous

在COVID-19大流行期間，我不會帶孩子參加示威活動。 有危險!

Zài COVID-19 dà liúxíng qíjiān, wǒ bù huì dài háizi cānjiā shìwēi huódòng. Yǒu wéixiǎn!

C.  Class Discussion

Lesson 44 (參觀展覽Cān guān zhǎnlǎn– Seeing an Exhibit)

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is the founding father of Republic of China

孫中山博士是中華民國國父

Sūnzhōngshān bóshì shì zhōnghuá mínguó guófù

Sun Yat-sen Museum Penang - Wikipedia

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Taipei) -Wikipedia

Assignment for the first summer class - Written words practice as follows: 

 自由 (Freedom Zìyóu)

 Zì自(self) – a shape of an elephant trunk

 yóu由 (from) – a square field from outside to inside

 Next Summer class is on Sunday, June 21, 2020 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  It is Father’s Day!

Let me know if you want to keep it as we planned or skip it to the following Sunday June 28, 2020.  I am flexible.

Let me know if you have any questions.