Chinese Exchange Student Experience
Throughout the last week of January, a class of Chinese students visited Hanover. We were fortunate enough to host four such students at our school. For many students at this school, this was the first time they had been exposed to such a different culture. As we were learning about their culture, they were learning a lot about ours. A seventh grader from Norwich, Cleo Roback, comments “It was cool to be able to compare what life is like in China for them and life in America for us. They could answer all our questions and we could answer all of theirs. It was a much more fun way to learn about Chinese culture than right out of a textbook”.
Cleo wasn’t the only one who learned from the Chinese students. On the last day of the visit, the seventh grade attended an assembly in the auditorium where they were given 45 minutes to ask the exchange students questions. The seventh grade students learned a lot of things about Chinese schools. The Chinese students were surprised by the way students acted in class. Rita, a Chinese student, said, “In China, we just sit and be quiet and do our work. We don’t talk, or hang out.”
Something that shocked many Richmond seventh graders was that for some of the Chinese students, school started at 7:15am and ended at 8:00pm. Those students have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at school. They also have a designated time to do homework, sort of like a Richmond school study hall. Many Richmond students figured out that Chinese culture is very different from American culture. When asked what makes it so different Mr. Busky gave several reasons:
In conclusion, the visit from the Chinese exchange students was not only educational, but also very interesting to the Richmond school students. This visit has given us an opportunity to learn about other cultures and develop personal long lasting friendships.
By Margaret Werner and Annabelle Finlayson
Cleo wasn’t the only one who learned from the Chinese students. On the last day of the visit, the seventh grade attended an assembly in the auditorium where they were given 45 minutes to ask the exchange students questions. The seventh grade students learned a lot of things about Chinese schools. The Chinese students were surprised by the way students acted in class. Rita, a Chinese student, said, “In China, we just sit and be quiet and do our work. We don’t talk, or hang out.”
Something that shocked many Richmond seventh graders was that for some of the Chinese students, school started at 7:15am and ended at 8:00pm. Those students have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at school. They also have a designated time to do homework, sort of like a Richmond school study hall. Many Richmond students figured out that Chinese culture is very different from American culture. When asked what makes it so different Mr. Busky gave several reasons:
- Chinese culture/"civilization" has been around for about 4000 years, perhaps a bit more.
- Chinese language is NOT based on a phonetic alphabet, but "pictures." There is no verb conjugation, per se.
- Chinese culture (and indeed, many Asian cultures) does not promote individualism to the extent that Western culture, particularly American culture, does.
In conclusion, the visit from the Chinese exchange students was not only educational, but also very interesting to the Richmond school students. This visit has given us an opportunity to learn about other cultures and develop personal long lasting friendships.
By Margaret Werner and Annabelle Finlayson
The 8th Grade & High School
As we are soon entering the month of March, the 8th grade has been making preparations for 9th grade. We have already learned about High School scheduling in our English classes weeks ago. We have also had three placement tests in Foreign Language, Science, and Math. Now we have a planning sheet and a huge booklet of courses and electives. With all of this being thrown at us, has anyone begun thinking of the High School experience? By that, I mean learning in class and participating in High School activities, not the infrastructure of your schedule. If you’re a 7th grader or 6th grader, this article may be worth reading too.
We’re now less than 90 days from the final day of school. For some 8th graders, the last day of school is exciting for them, while others cringe at the thought. It’s hard to think that you have been here since 2009 (2010 for some). These nervous thoughts could range from “I didn’t ever get my favorite electives” to “I’ll be leaving for college in four years.” If you think about it, four years is a very long time. How long did you spend from Kindergarten to 3rd grade (four years)? If you think of how long that is, you will realize how long High School is. Leaving the Middle School behind is hard too. The learning environment is one that we have gotten so used to. It will feel awkward for many of us to enter the high school and attend classes. Let’s look into some more thoughts about 9th grade.
Lately, many students have been panicking about their placement tests. If I were to ask someone if the placement test was hard, they would say it wasn’t, but that’s not what they’re really feeling. One reason these placement tests have caused so much stress is because of one thing, competition. To have the label of “Honors” on your schedule is like a status symbol. The desire to have honors classes can either be the student’s desire or the parent’s influence. Some parents want their children to outperform everybody in the student’s class. The bad part is that some students don’t want to be told by their parents what to do with their academic life. Only the student knows what he/she wants. But if you think about it, there’s not a huge difference between honors and regular classes. For example, Honors Methods is the same as Methods except with deeper usage of mathematics. By the end of High School, everybody should have about the same general knowledge of every topic.
So overall, there are widespread thoughts about High School. Some people are relaxed, some are nervous, and some haven’t even thought about it. This article is not intended to put stress on anybody. It’s nice to know that other people have similar thoughts about High School. I think there’s only one thing that 8th graders should be doing right now. ENJOY 8TH GRADE!
If you have any thoughts or questions, contact the FRMS newspaper or Mr. Lacrosse for more details on Hanover High School.
By Marco van Gemeren
We’re now less than 90 days from the final day of school. For some 8th graders, the last day of school is exciting for them, while others cringe at the thought. It’s hard to think that you have been here since 2009 (2010 for some). These nervous thoughts could range from “I didn’t ever get my favorite electives” to “I’ll be leaving for college in four years.” If you think about it, four years is a very long time. How long did you spend from Kindergarten to 3rd grade (four years)? If you think of how long that is, you will realize how long High School is. Leaving the Middle School behind is hard too. The learning environment is one that we have gotten so used to. It will feel awkward for many of us to enter the high school and attend classes. Let’s look into some more thoughts about 9th grade.
Lately, many students have been panicking about their placement tests. If I were to ask someone if the placement test was hard, they would say it wasn’t, but that’s not what they’re really feeling. One reason these placement tests have caused so much stress is because of one thing, competition. To have the label of “Honors” on your schedule is like a status symbol. The desire to have honors classes can either be the student’s desire or the parent’s influence. Some parents want their children to outperform everybody in the student’s class. The bad part is that some students don’t want to be told by their parents what to do with their academic life. Only the student knows what he/she wants. But if you think about it, there’s not a huge difference between honors and regular classes. For example, Honors Methods is the same as Methods except with deeper usage of mathematics. By the end of High School, everybody should have about the same general knowledge of every topic.
So overall, there are widespread thoughts about High School. Some people are relaxed, some are nervous, and some haven’t even thought about it. This article is not intended to put stress on anybody. It’s nice to know that other people have similar thoughts about High School. I think there’s only one thing that 8th graders should be doing right now. ENJOY 8TH GRADE!
If you have any thoughts or questions, contact the FRMS newspaper or Mr. Lacrosse for more details on Hanover High School.
By Marco van Gemeren
Dartmouth Pond Party
Response from a typical teenager to the Dartmouth Pond Party:
“Party! Who said party? I am soooooooooooooo... going! Wait, Dartmouth is putting it on! Never Mind, Because is a community party it must be BORING!(sigh) What will I do this weekend? Homework? Oh, who am I kidding? Hum......... Well........ I, GUESS I could go. It will be silly though. Come on, even the name is strange, and why for the love of FASHION is it on a pond? My UGGs will get ruined! Fine! If I MUST, I will go.
Now that I’m here, it’s not totally bad. I can like, text from the pond and there is this COOL thing called sugar on ice! It is so yummy! It is maple sugar on snow, and it is really sweet and delicious!”
This, quite possibly could be a response form a typical teenager. As you can see they did not want to got to the pond party. In the end it was fun. There were marshmallows for roasting, sugar on ice and you could rent skates at a very low price for the party. There were also games for all ages. Plus, if you do not skate you could just walk around.
For those of you that have a little brother or sister that would like to sled, ice fish, or race in some sort of way this would be a great family outing for next year. And possibly if you take your brother sister your parents will think you are responsible enough to go on that trip with your best friend you have been begging to go on for three months.
So now that you know the pond party isn’t so bad you should consider going next year and convince your friends into going too. You never know. You just might have a blast!
By Emily Winslow
“Party! Who said party? I am soooooooooooooo... going! Wait, Dartmouth is putting it on! Never Mind, Because is a community party it must be BORING!(sigh) What will I do this weekend? Homework? Oh, who am I kidding? Hum......... Well........ I, GUESS I could go. It will be silly though. Come on, even the name is strange, and why for the love of FASHION is it on a pond? My UGGs will get ruined! Fine! If I MUST, I will go.
Now that I’m here, it’s not totally bad. I can like, text from the pond and there is this COOL thing called sugar on ice! It is so yummy! It is maple sugar on snow, and it is really sweet and delicious!”
This, quite possibly could be a response form a typical teenager. As you can see they did not want to got to the pond party. In the end it was fun. There were marshmallows for roasting, sugar on ice and you could rent skates at a very low price for the party. There were also games for all ages. Plus, if you do not skate you could just walk around.
For those of you that have a little brother or sister that would like to sled, ice fish, or race in some sort of way this would be a great family outing for next year. And possibly if you take your brother sister your parents will think you are responsible enough to go on that trip with your best friend you have been begging to go on for three months.
So now that you know the pond party isn’t so bad you should consider going next year and convince your friends into going too. You never know. You just might have a blast!
By Emily Winslow
Featured YWP post: I Wonder... by Emily Calandrella
I wonder about a lot of things. So here is a list of some things I wonder right now. I wonder how long my homework is going to take this weekend. I wonder what high school will be like. I wonder if I will get completely lost on the first day or if my teachers will be mean or if I will miss the bus and be late or if I will have any friends in my class, and I wonder how bad it is possible for a first day of school to be. I wonder what I will get for my birthday on Sunday. I wonder if it will ever ever ever snow this winter. I wonder if this even counts as winter. I wonder if I will win my basketball game tomorrow. I wonder how many minutes of this I have left. I wonder if you are getting bored by now. I wonder if anyone will actually read this. I wonder if there are other planets in the universe that have life on them. I wonder what would happen if all the spiders in the world died right now, because I don't like spiders. I wonder how wierd you think I am right now.
I Wonder
Submitted by MarionM on Sat, 02/11/2012 - 1:50pm.
I really like this piece. I liked because I wonder some of the same things, I also liked it because I have never read something like this and think that it is a cool idea. Towards the end of the piece you started to talk to the reader, and I thought that was good because it brought me in. Awesome JOB!
Hey Emily, It's really
Submitted by SarahK on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 12:57pm.
Hey Emily,
It's really interesting to see what things you wonder about. I think about a lot of the same things. And to answer your question, I was not bored reading your writing. You did a good job capturing my attention and keeping it there. You did a great job!
From,
Sarah Kohl
Different.
Submitted by NevaS on Mon, 02/13/2012 - 9:11pm.
Emmy, emmy, emmy.
You are not really wierd. I really liked your piece, it gave some ideas. Right now I wonder what the seventh grade girls B-Ball team is thinking. :(.
I was not bored, it's nice to see into someones mind sometimes.
I Wonder
Submitted by MarionM on Sat, 02/11/2012 - 1:50pm.
I really like this piece. I liked because I wonder some of the same things, I also liked it because I have never read something like this and think that it is a cool idea. Towards the end of the piece you started to talk to the reader, and I thought that was good because it brought me in. Awesome JOB!
Hey Emily, It's really
Submitted by SarahK on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 12:57pm.
Hey Emily,
It's really interesting to see what things you wonder about. I think about a lot of the same things. And to answer your question, I was not bored reading your writing. You did a good job capturing my attention and keeping it there. You did a great job!
From,
Sarah Kohl
Different.
Submitted by NevaS on Mon, 02/13/2012 - 9:11pm.
Emmy, emmy, emmy.
You are not really wierd. I really liked your piece, it gave some ideas. Right now I wonder what the seventh grade girls B-Ball team is thinking. :(.
I was not bored, it's nice to see into someones mind sometimes.