Hmong kids in Kirkland play to learn

This is my article http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2004183841_hmong15e.html

and my summary

Hmong kids in Kirkland play to learn

The news was reported by Rachel Tuinstra. There is a elementary school in Kirkland Heights named John Muir Elementary in Kirkland. The principle here, Jeff DeGallier, had some difficulties with their Hmong students. First of all, this is the school that has a lot of students from many different cultures such as: Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and other Asian countries. Especially, nineteen percent of the students are Hmong. They had quite different education unit from America, so when they started the school, they had problems about lacking basic literacy skill. It was essential that DeGallier needed to have some solutions to solve this problem.

DeGallier chose the play-to-learn way to help the students can catch up their learning program. They helped them sing with catching on to the musical tempo, showed a picture and explained what was in it. Then, they made the community recreation room at Kirkland Heights Apartments more attractive to students with many things such as: books, colorful Legos and worksheets with traceable letters and numbers...

This “play-to-learn” program was mainly for the students in low-income family. It could help develop the cognitive through play. There were many parents supported this program and gave toys to help it more develop. Sometimes the teacher went to their students’ house to teach them instead in the school…Then, the students could have many skills necessary for kindergarten. The teachers also gathered their students’ parents to explain them how essential it was that parents could teach their children at home through many ways

Historical bond

Now, there are 1000 Hmong live in King County after immigrating to many countries. The adults just know a little bit English but they hope their children can catch up the American school. Besides, they also want their children still remember their root, native language, culture… It means although they try hard to adjust into American culture to be successful, they need to hold onto their traditions. That’s all things the parents want their children to be. Because they have the low quality life so they hope their children can have a better life than they do.

My opinion

The “play-to-learn” way is good to help Hmong students or some other culture students more improve their literacy skill before getting into kindergarten. To me, that program is quite interesting because it’s active that make the children not boring like sitting at the same seat and learn. Children can entertain through the game. Whether it’s successful or not, the most important things are the enthusiasm, creation of teachers and the cooperation of parents in leading the children at home. That can help the program easier and more effect. Moreover, besides teaching the children learn as Americans, adults should keep them hold onto their culture. Whatever they are, they should always remember their root, their main traditions. Living as Americans just helps their life more comfortable, it doesn’t mean they need to change their culture also

Lucy ????? That's me =))

Hi everybody, welcome to my blog. This is Phuong, my English name is Lucy (whatever u wanna call, I always answer). Look at my name, can u guess where I come from??? Yup, Vietnam, that's my hometown. Try going there, I'm sure you'll have a great time with many scenic spots and friendly people =)).

I've never traveled to other countries so the first time I went to the US, I felt nervous and strange. I had to accustomed to everything, from the smallest things such as : food, streets (I got lost everyday >.< )......to the bigger problems such as : the way of life, American behaviors, communication.......It was hard to me to adjust into American life. But now I'm familiar with the life here and I feel interested in it. The people here are more friendly than I thought, they help me a lots when I confuse about something or ask them any questions. Now, I don't feel any problems in my living except communication. My speaking and listening are too bad. I'm not shy to communicate but sometimes I feel too hard to understand or make people know what I'm talking about. That's my defect and I'm trying everyday to improve my communication skill better. Are there anybody help me??????? =))

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About our class?? There are many friends that are very nice to me such as Ken, Thao, Sam, Mi,Vi,Jenny,Utku, Masa............Gail is a good and friendly teacher. I'm glad to be taught by Gail. Hope my reading skill will be improved a lots =))

Blah....Blah......Blah.............That's all about me I wanna introduce. Nice to meet you all. Maybe I have some mistakes in my introduction. Please leave me a comment if you have time =)). It will encourage me a lots =)). Thanks for reading whole things I wrote. If you read it in morning or at noon, I hope you have a nice day. In contrast, if it's at night now, goodnight and have a sweet dream =))