Children's Day

When I was a kid I asked my friends that if there was a Mother's Day and a Father's day then why wasn't there a Children's Day? Then we kids fantasized as to what Children's Day would be like. Imagine my surprise as an adult when I found out there was a Children's Day! Man, did I get cheated as a kid. 

Children's Day is celebrated on June 1st in China and usually the kids will be given gifts or go on trips. Schools will hold events for kids or even give them a half day off. Here is what we did this year at JNAS. 

Half of the day the classes went as normal however I decided to give all my students an English book as a gift to take home. My TAs, Jeanne and Lydia, were able to order the books and get them reimbursed by the school. (Thank you guys!) The books I chose and were available for bulk purchase in China were Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, Stuck by Oliver Jeffers, and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. 

When the classes were finished for the day, the student leaders headed to the downstairs auditorium to present on The Leader in Me to parents and a visiting school journalism students. The students were from a public middle school and got to ask our JNAS students questions like a press conference. Even the local newspaper showed up to ask questions much to the delight of the parents. 

Photo courtesy of JNAS. Students in red are from the public school journalism team.

After lunch was served the kids set up booths to sell their old toys or popsicles. Parents showed up so fellow students, teachers, and parents could buy these items. The money raised when to an impoverished school in China. At the same time as these sales booths were going on, each room was set up like a different Asian country. The rooms had decorations and music from that country and also sold those countries snacks and drinks as part of the fundraiser. The kids also dressed in traditional outfits from those countries. 

Photo courtesy of JNAS

Photo courtesy of JNAS

Downstairs was an art exhibit of the students' work that we could tour through. 

Photo courtesy of JNAS

The kids took down their booths and cleaned up the classrooms while the PE teachers set up the basketball tournament. This entire semester the students have been playing in a basketball bracket competition (like March Madness) and this was the finale. The kids earned medals and certificates at the end. 

Photo courtesy of JNAS

Photo courtesy of JNAS

Next, the cafeteria and the classrooms set up for a potluck supper. 102 invited me to their class and the homeroom teacher even bought them a big cake! What a lovely way to treat everyone. 

After we ate supper, it was time for the talent show. The students signed up to show off their different skills like singing, dancing, magic, and one student dressed up like Pete the Cat and did a skit entirely in English about the book. 

Photo courtesy of JNAS

Photo courtesy of JNAS

Finally, the kids got to camp out at school with their parents and teachers. I went home at this time but the kids always love doing this activity. 

Photo courtesy of JNAS

I loved seeing all the kids' hard work and was so impressed with how well the teachers handled the event and were willing to spend the night with the kids too. That is hard work! This is a day the kids will really treasure as they look back and I will too. 

Jeanne, Lydia, and myself

Susan, Jessica, and myself

Happy Children's Day!