April 6, 2011

Today we developed a formal partnership with Luqiao Experimental School! It was a wonderful day!

The children begin each by exercising to music. They all meet on the playground and three children are selected to lead the exercises. When they finish exercising they run around the track and then proceed to their classes. I had an opportunity to address all of the children during morning exercise. They were eager to introduce themselves and shake my hand.

After morning exercises, I visited a 4th grade Chinese classroom. The teacher was discussing the news with the children and explaining how reporters communicate with their audience. It was interesting to see the children respond chorally to the teacher and turn and talk with their neighbors periodically to review the lesson, in the same manner that we ask our students to discuss what they are learning. At the end of the class I was asked to talk with the children. Each child took turns introducing their self to me. It was great fun to see them so eager to try out their English.

We then proceeded to art class. The teacher enthusiastically presented an art lesson to second grade students focusing on two cows. She began the lesson with a story. She displayed a variety of cows for the children to view. She also demonstrated a variety of techniques used to draw a cow's face. The children were asked to draw a picture of two cows and imagine what they were doing. They were then asked to color the cows. The students were very engaged in their work.

We then proceeded to the formal ceremony establishing Luqiao experimental school as our partner school. Vice Principal Ding begin the ceremony with a brief speech expressing their interest in formalizing the partnership. Mrs. Laura Wang read the memorandum of understanding in English and Ms. Yu read the MOU in Chinese. Principal Xia and I signed the agreements and exchanged them. The media captured the entire ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony we exchanged pictures of our schools, letters our students had written to each other and other gifts. We received beautifully decorated t-shirts the students had painted, calligraphy posters, and other creative artwork.

We then went to celebrate our partnership over lunch. When we arrived there was a car decorated with beautiful flowers. I was told that weddings are held on lucky days in China and this was a lucky day. I too felt it was a very special day for Scott students and staff. We then proceeded to a lunch made for royalty. Media and school personnel joined us for this special Chinese feast.

We then proceeded to the train station where we took a train to return to Hangzhou. This evening Global Indiana held a commencement ceremony for everyone involved in the trip and the administrators of their partner schools.

I would like to thank Principal Xia for the hospitality he extended to me. I am grateful to Xia Xiao zhang for arranging for Helen to serve as my interpreter. She did a wonderful job! Her English is very good and she is so very kind.  

Duncan Xiao zhang