Monday, February 18, 2008

Chinese Language


Pinyin is a phonetic form of the Chinese language, otherwise known as Simplified Chinese. Children in school in China learn traditional Chinese right along with Pinyin.

Here are a few of the sounds:

a= ah
e= uh
i=ee
o=aw
u=oo
ai=aye
ei=ay
ou=oh
uo=(oo-aw)
uei=way

In Case You've Just Joined Us...

If you have just joined this blog, you might want to read the older posts first to learn more about Katie. If you want to start here, let me give you a quick description of this blog and why it's here.

I am Katie's mom, and I've created this blog especially for kids and their teachers. Katie is 13 years old and lives in China. Our family lives in New York state, and we are in the process of adopting her. Katie is going to have to get used to a lot of new things here in the United States--a new language, different foods, a new culture, and learning how to live in a family. Katie also was born with a hand difference--she has missing fingers on one hand.

My posts are written with kids in mind, so if you have questions, feel free to ask. Very soon, Katie's dad will be traveling to China to bring her home. You can look here for updates!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Good Websites for Teachers

Lots of good information and resources here for English Language Learners and internationally adopted older students:

http://www.colorincolorado.org/

http://www.adoptionarticlesdirectory.com/Article/Dealing-with-cultural-differences-of-an-internationally-adopted-child/1377

Monday, February 11, 2008


This post was written by Anna, my 9 year old daughter.

"Kids sometimes ask me questions about being from another country.

Most kids think that I am Chinese or Japanese. I tell them that I am Korean. I was born in South Korea on December 8, 1998. When I was 4 months old, I flew on an airplane from Seoul to Philadelphia. A lady took care of me while I traveled here. On April 22, 1999, Dad and Mom met me at the airport for the first time!

Every April 22nd, we celebrate Airplane Day at our house. We eat Korean food and have a cake. I get a couple of small presents, sometimes they are from Korea.

For the past two years, we have gone to Korean Culture camp in Albany (at Russell Sage College) for a week in the summer. When we are there, we eat Korean food, learn to write some words in Korean, Taekwondo, Korean drumming, and singing. Most of the kids there have been adopted from Korea, but their brothers and sisters go to camp too! It is a lot of fun!"

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Photos from China

Would you like to see our photos of China from our adoption of Leah?

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/stevepatg/Photos%20from%20China/

These were taken in Beijing, Wuhan (Hubei Province), and Guangzhou in January 2005.
Enjoy!

Katie the Student...


Here's what the nannies and teachers have reported about Katie's school habits and life:

Katie has lived in the orphanage since she was pretty young. As a preschooler, she liked to listen to music and was a bit timid. She was always polite and a good listener.

Katie (Chao Yan) studies very hard. She is a good student who respects the teachers and is ready to help other children. She is very protective of the younger children and used to assist them getting to and from the bus stop in previous school years. She is very independent and washes her own clothes and shoes. She makes her bed and cleans her room very well. (Oh, I LOVE THAT!) She often helps caregivers with taking care of other children. And she has been asking for a family for years.

In another report, she is described as polite and humble. She is outgoing, active, hardworking, sensible, and enjoys music, books and basketball. She has never been late to classes, and she likes to attend school even when she feels sick. She gets along well with other students and follows school discipline. Katie pays full attention in class, takes notes, and studies hard.

In addition to her required assignments, Katie also reads additional materials on literature and history. She does not enjoy science that much. Sometimes she does not ask questions when she has difficulties with her studies.Katie is mostly independent on everything except for cooking.

(Now get out the Kleenex...) The last bit of her report states: "This child is content with very little. She has this saying: 'I have food to keep me from hunger. I have clothes to keep me warm. That's all I need.'"

Sound like a kid you'd like to teach? (Me Too!)