Our semester has started with the topic ‘I Love China;’. Within this topic, students have explored Chinese Food, Festivals, Inventions and Provinces. The main aim for this topic is for students to think about some of their favourite things about China and apply it in their work. These things will then be collated onto individual posters and displayed.

   ‘I love China’ is divided into four sub-categories. The fist of these sub-categories is all about Chinese Food. Students will be introduced to some new Chinese food, including the relevant cooking techniques and will be encouraged to also talk and write about their own that they know. In Grade four they will look at Peking Duck, Hotpot, Dumplings, Mooncakes, Barbeque Spare Ribs, Stinky Tofu and Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls. In Grade five they will look at Shandong, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian and Hunan Cuisine.

   The second of these sub-categories is all about Chinese Festivals. Students will be introduced to some new Chinese festivals, including the relevant traditions and celebrations and again, will be encouraged to also talk and write about their own that they know. In Grade four they will look at the Tomb Sweeping, Winter Solstice, Congee Eating and Hungry Ghost Festivals. In Grade five they will look at the New Year, Double Seven, Double Nine and Mid-Autumn Festivals.

   The third of these sub-categories is all about Chinese Inventions. Students will be introduced to some new Chinese inventions, including the ‘4 great inventions’ and scientific innovations, and again, will be encouraged to also talk and write about their own that they know. In Grade four they will look at paper, gunpowder, compass and printing. In Grade five they will look at Dockless Shared Bicycles, High Speed Railways, E-Commerce and Mobile Payments.

   The fourth of these sub-categories is all about Chinese provinces. Students will be introduced to some new Chinese provinces, including the main ones in the north/south/east/west and geographical landmarks, and again, will be encouraged to also talk and write about their own that they know. In Grade four they will look at Sichuan, Heilongjiang, Hainan and Anhui provinces. In Grade five they will look at population size, demographics, population density and population by age.