Mandarin

大家好！ (Dàjiā hǎo!)

What a wonderful and busy start we have had to Term Four! 李老师 (Lǐ lǎoshī) has been so impressed with the engagement and enthusiasm from all students as we dive into our new topics.

For the first three weeks of term, we focused on the rich culture and traditions of one of the most important Chinese celebrations: the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiūjié).

Week One: The Moon (月亮, yuèliàng)

Our learning began with the central symbol of the festival: the moon.

Foundation and Year One students learned the word 月亮 (yuèliàng) while drawing and colouring their own full and half moons.

Year Two to Four students extended this by exploring the different phases of the moon, connecting it to why the festival is always celebrated during a full moon.

Years Five and Six students delved into the famous legends and stories behind the festival, learning the cultural significance of 中秋节 (Zhōngqiūjié).

Week Two: The Mooncake (月饼, yuèbǐng)

In Week Two, we shift focus to the delicious festival food: the mooncake!

All students from Foundation to Year Six learned why mooncakes are eaten to symbolise family reunion and completeness. We also explored the amazing variety of mooncakes, from traditional fillings to modern interpretations, discussing their different shapes, sizes, and flavours.

Week Three: The Lantern (灯笼, dēnglong)

The third week was all about the 'lantern' (灯笼, dēnglong). Students learned why lanterns are lit and carried to represent light, good fortune, and celebration. This topic provided a fantastic hands-on experience for everyone.

Foundation and Year One students had a wonderful time drawing and colouring their own lanterns.

Year Two to Year Six students skilfully practised their folding and construction skills to create their own paper lanterns.

Here are some photos from our Mid-Autumn Festival learning!

Foundation