Expedition Earth: China

Ni Hao!  We have had a wonderful time over the last two weeks studying China!  I am so thankful to have found this curriculum packed full of hands on learning activities so that BOTH of my kids can learn at the same time. 

We started off our week “flying” to China.  They each have their own passports which we stamped with the Chinese flag and dated our entry (sorry, no pictures).

Here are a few of the things that we did while we were “in” China:

-read LOTS of books about China, looked at pictures, discussed similarities and differences

-learned how to say “hello” in Mandarin Chinese.  They also practiced painting the symbol for hello.



-We used Google Translate to listen to our names and many common words in Mandarin Chinese. 

- They learned to count to 10 in Chinese using this fun YouTube video.

-They made some fun paper lanterns.



- We watched several YouTube videos and read about The Great Wall of China.  Then, they built their own little version out of sugar cubes!  It may not look like much, but it sure was a lot of work!  It also gave us a lot of time to talk about what it must have been like to build the real wall without all of the modern machines we have today.



- We studied animals of China.  Alexis did some copywork about the different animals and them classified them according to their kind.  Then, we took a few days to study Pandas.  After we studied them, they made Panda masks and watched “Kung Fu Panda.”




- We read “Look What Came from China” and talked about the many things that we use today that were invented in China.  One of the many things we read about was paper.  So, we made our own paper!  We used paper from our shredder, which happened to have some green construction paper in it.  Therefore, we ended up with green paper!




- They used their paper to practice writing their numbers in Chinese.



(notice Schuyler in the background, trying to get his hands on the Expedition Earth binder!)

- We played with Tangrams, an ancient Chinese puzzle.  Alexis really enjoyed doing these and was very good at them!



-They made their own dragon puppets and watched Mulan.

- Read “The Story about Ping” by Marjorie Flack.  Then we watched a YouTube video about Comorant fishing.

- Learned to identify China on the map.  Alexis also completed a mapping activity and learned major landmarks.

- We learned about children in China with the book “Children Just like Me.”

-We are compiling all of their work in their Expedition Earth binder.





- We culminated our study of China by celebrating with the family.  We made a Chinese meal (fried rice, oriental salad, and egg drop soup). We added fortune cookies, even though we know they did not originate in China.  During our meal, we made sure not to eat until the eldest person took the first bite.  The eldest person was also to face the door.  Also, no knives or forks were allowed at the table (those are considered weapons).





                     (eating with chopsticks was not so easy!)

My little cuties dressed the part….



The kids also helped me to come up with things to pray about for China. We wrote these on a prayer card (we will add a card for each country we study)  Will you join us in praying for China? You can pray…

1. Although Bibles are being printed in China, not everyone who wants a Bible has access to one.  Pray that everyone can have a Bible.
2.  Pandas are facing extinction.  Pray that these beautiful animals that God created will be protected so that future generations can enjoy them.
3.  To limit population growth, China has a one-child policy which is leading to forced abortions and many children in orphanages.  Pray that these children will be happy, healthy and find good homes where they will learn about the love Jesus has for them.
4.  Pray for the government of China.  Pray that the leaders humble themselves and recognize Jesus as Lord.

Next stop….South Korea!