Mandarin Immersion Archives - Page 2 of 4

Sharing Best Practices in Immersion Education

PKS was invited to Washington, DC as part of a symposium on immersion education. Seven of our faculty members visited four schools, deepening their knowledge of best practices while sharing some of their own unique insights. Our expertise on how to integrate Mandarin immersion within a progressive framework was noted as "the only model out there combining data-based immersion practices with rigorous PBL."

Community

Inaugural 5th Grade Class Trip to China

We began early, around 6:30am, as a group of students ventured out for some 油条 and 豆浆. Those who slept in a bit had oatmeal and fried eggs in the hotel restaurant. We then took a walk to the center of this 1,000-year-old town and did some general orientation.

Elementary

Inquiry, Discovery, and the Bilingual Brain

The benefits of a bilingual education (and of a bilingual brain!) are well-documented. They range from positive correlations with executive functioning in the brain to advantages in staving off the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Community

A Message from Our Incoming Head of School

I couldn’t be more thrilled by the prospect of becoming the next Head of School at PKS this July!

Curriculum

Teacher Profile (Effi Wang)

Our goals each year include problem solving, critical thinking, and improving social skills. We provide ample opportunities for children to do hands on projects, based on their own interests, we provide children with engaging materials, and ask them questions to provoke their thinking.

Elementary

First Graders are Community Planners!

Last week, our PKS first graders continued their discussion on "community." Students read the mini-book I Love My Community and used the Chinese names for libraries, parks, toy stores, restaurants, and soccer fields. The mini-book ended in an open-ended form that invited students to think about what other places could be added to a community to make it even better.

Community

Elementary Curriculum Night

Teachers provided an overview of what the students will experience over the course of the year, including the developmental milestones and expectations for each grade. They outlined the Units of Exploration, and how math, STEM, and field trips are woven into the curriculum.

Community

Message from Incoming Head Chris Livaccari

I am absolutely thrilled at the prospect of becoming your next Head of School in July 2018. I would like to thank all of the students, teachers, staff, parents and board members that took the time to meet with me during my visit to school and with whom I have interacted over the last few weeks. I especially appreciated the time I spent in Chinese answering the most challenging questions of all – from the PKS third graders!

Community

Introducing the Orsini Library

After only a year, the Orsini Library has doubled its previous collection and now holds almost 3000 Chinese and English titles! This was made possible by the powerhouse team of volunteers at Presidio Knolls, led by parents Vivian Looi and James Huff. Their efforts have made it possible for all children level P2 to Grade 4 to regularly borrow books and integrate library time into their weekly curricula.