It’s May 2019! WOW! The months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds are just flying by. If you set any goals for the year how are they coming along? We have finished Q1 so I hope you are making some progress towards your goals. I set a goal to read 8 books for pleasure by EOY and I am now on my 9th book so that’s exciting that I met that goal. Let’s look at April and my life as a teacher abroad! 4
April 22-26 was Book Week at our school! It was quite eventful in our kindergarten classrooms, but specifically, in Ms. Karla’s Prep A Kindergarten Classroom!
We had a full of week of fun and adventure with different activities for the kids each day.
Monday– Our students brought in their favorite book in English or Chinese and they shared why its their favorite book.
Tuesday– We had a guest author our visit class!
Wednesday– Wacky Dress Day – because sometimes book characters are wacky and silly & we had a 4th grade student volunteer to read to our class
Thursday– Crazy Hair Day – because we should keep kindergarten fun and our imaginations wild & Parent volunteer for story time
Friday– Dress like your favorite character from a book & have a teddy bear book picnic with your teacher outside
Along with everything our kindergarten department planned I planned virtual story time with some great people I know in America! Through the power of technology/ Skype/ Cell Phones/ Laptops/ and wonderful friends I had multiple people of all ages read stories to my students. I let them choose the book and I was able to show them reading on the big screen in my classroom. Along with virtual story time two of my friends came to read to my students in person! I am so thankful for every person who helped to make book week a success! I am so honored and humbled with all of the support given for this idea. We had a blast!
….a little bummed all the pictures are not as clear as i would like but hey ….
And to my two volunteers who were not able to participate because of scheduling issues on my end I hope to have you read to my students soon!
I appreciate you so much Brea for reading to my students! I have had the honor of watching you grow up. I’m so glad you have kept in touch with Ms. Karla. I love that my students had a student from USA read to them, especially one as amazing as you!
Shandra you have been a mentor to me for many years. You have watched me grow since I was very young in pig tails at youth group- though I still wear pig tails from time to time. Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me while abroad, and always encouraging me! I promise to continue to make door knobs smile.
Laura was a great guest author. She read one of her books to our students and did a cool art activity with them! We had a lot of fun!
T’keyah is a recently published author! I will share a link to her book soon. Thanks for supporting me and reading to my students. I did a spotlight on her last year and shared how we met. I am so proud of you for finishing and publishing your book.
You are wonderful.
WOW! College friends. AUC and beyond. I am thankful for Facebook for keeping me in touch with great friends. Crystal I appreciate you reading to my class. Your energy (even as late at night as it was) was great. These kids kept running to the screen like they could really touch you! Thanks so much! I would love to have you read to my students again – and we can plan an earlier hour of course!
Carla – namesake! Thanks for using your day off and traveling to Songjiang to read to my kiddos! They couldn’t barely process two Ms. Carla’s (Karla and Carla) in one room. You are a true JOY!
Raven– thanks for using part of your prep period to read to my students. I loved the book and they were super engaged. You are fantastic. Maybe I can travel upstairs and read to your kids one day.
Jeffrey – you worked so hard all week practicing your book. Thanks for reading to your brother’s class!
To my awesome parent volunteer – you kept these kids engaged reading to them in English and Chinese. Thanks so very much!
Dr. Nicole Thank You for showing me that 2:9 for Life really means for life. I don’t know how you did what you did – maybe it’s your #blackgirlmagic – I don’t know… but through a screen these kids were engaged, up and moving, answering tons of questions and running to the screen! Thank You So Much for supporting me and your words mean the world to me. I love you friend. XoXo Your Princess!!!
When the AQI is nice you head outside quickly. I read a story then said “Everyone Go Play” – that was a winning statement.
We had a teddy bear picnic!!! Everyone could bring their teddy bear/stuffed animal to school – we read our story outside and then enjoyed playing!
Making Memories in Songjiang @Shanghai HD Bilingual School
Honestly Yall – I never thought I would enjoy teaching kindergarten students … but … I love it! We are rocking it in my class.
One goal at our school is to have your students on level 4 reading by the end of kindergarten to have them ready for first grade. I was told that no one teacher has ever had 100% of their students on level 4 … usually you get most of your students on level 4 but not all. So here I am going for it. I currently have 92% of my students reading level 4 or higher books. I am extremely proud of them and I am super proud of the two students who are still making their way to level four… they are currently straddling between 2/3 … we are working very hard in my classroom and I am in awe of their growth as students since I began as their teacher in December 2018.
There is more to share… especially about month 16 here in Shanghai … but I will save that for a post soon to come!
May your May be wonderful! Full of bright days and joyous memories.
#eslteacher #blackeslteacher #shanghaihdbilingualschool #kindergartenteacher #bilingualschool #smiles #joy #english #books #reading #writing #bookweek #laughs #kinderjoy #makelearningfun #changetheworld #livingmyancestorswildestdreams #livingmydreams #onekidatatime #inclusionmatters #mypositionherematters #blackeducatorabroad #educator #songjiang #shanghai #china #karlaabroad
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!
I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #BlackInChina #BlackAmericanInChina #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod
“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Hellen Keller
*I choose ADVENTURE
…as always thanks for following my adventures abroad ….
FEARLESS in SHANGHAI 
Thank you for sharing book week with ur students. You are an Awesome & Amazing Teacher! I am so impressed on how fast they are learning, which tells they love their teacher! Great job! I’m praying for you! 💕🙏🏾
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike