Day 9, July 12, Xi'an

July 12 Xi’an Day 9

1) ‘Power, prestige, profit’
Visit to elite kindergarten, affiliated with Jiaotong University (communications, engineering and science). Getting in is considered key to success.
Goal is to cultivate well-rounded individuals with a remarkable level of proficient talents. Many students are the children of the teachers at the university.
Greeting by two neat lines of smiling students, lead by our ‘guides’ into the
beautiful, clean courtyard. Enthusiastic english rendition of “Snow White and the (six) Dwarfs, followed by singling and dancing to familiar american childrens’ songs—skidamarink, hokey pokey, etc.--truly a participatory experience! Stephanie was serenaded with ‘happy birthday’ in both English and mandarin. Impressive performance by several students on ancient stringed instruments called “Gujung”. Sunflower garden, peacocks further the environment of privilege and nurturing. Exchange of gifts with children very moving, while “The yellow rose of Texas” plays overhead on loud speakers. Observation of Chinese language oral exam in progress by master teacher—similar technique to foreign language acquisition in U.S.

2) 'Source of history book content'
Visit to Archeological Institute – a truly privileged event!
Associated with German museum in Mainz, collaboration to enhance conservation techniques. Main function is excavation in Shaanxi province and laboratory analysis of textiles, metals, and ceramics. It all begins with surveying.
Lab- workers are involved with tomb excavations. Tang dynasty (1200 years ago). Qin era (2,200 years ago), Confucian. Examinations reveal traditions of dress and decoration. Multiple techniques to study artifacts with hi precision instruments (German and Italian)
Tomb frescoes and mural conservation from early 7th century, between Tang and Song dynasties.. Expressions on faces are distinct. Shows social and cultural history. Han era murals have naturally occurring reds, while purple was fabricated by artists.
Exhibition room- our own private museum showing, and Terracotta figures to stand next to…a thrilling experience.

3) “You are the first foreigners I have met”
Xi’an Bodi School visit.
Emphasis on international exchange programs with summer camps and brother/sister schools in Canada, New Zealand and US (El Monte). 85% of students are boarding during the week. Visiting students from S. Korea, US, Russia. Slide/skit presentation by two very English-proficient students in impressive reception room.
Features: art program to promote students going on to art colleges, huge swimming pool with scuba gear, ping-pong training facility where international teams come to practice (ie. Japan). A try at Ping pong with students (Manny, Clay, Mike, Pria, Minh) - all were humbled by the students’ skill.
Small-group discussions with students and staff. This was a very enjoyable and effective part of our visit. Our student was the girl who lead the presentation and told us that we were the first ‘foreigners’ she had ever met. Of course, many photos together ensued. Discussion with history teachers about the difficulty of keeping students interested and finding ways to bring history alive was quite lively.
Teaching goal: to initiate a pen-pal program between our respective high school level one French classes. Students can share their school life with each other, but they will have to write in French.

4) 'Dumplings and Dancing'
Delicious dumpling dinner and “fortune soup” followed by Tang dynasty music/dance performance. Birthday cake for Stephanie and Jen during which “happy birthday was played and sung (over and over) by nearly the whole house to our teachers. Beautiful costumes and graceful performers—no one fell asleep.
–A very full day!

[Edit by="cbessolo on Jul 30, 5:06:42 PM"][/Edit]