Waterpuppet show

Back in April I was able to chaperone the field trip with the drama and choir classes to a water puppet show! This is a traditional form of art in Vietnam, originating from Hanoi in the north.

We went to the water puppet theater that is right next door to the Saigon Zoo and Botanic Gardens...

Dragons!

Most of the pieces are stories of cultural legends/folktales or depicting national history...

My favorite piece was the dance of the water fairies!...

The artists came out at the end of for a bow!

And two of them even stayed for a bit to answer our questions and tell us more about this art form in Vietnam.

AIS Teachers' Next Stop...

The Student Council members came up with a great idea! ...They've created a world map poster (located on the bulletin board between the 2nd and 3rd floors...) showing where the departing teachers are off to next!

I think it turned out really well and is a lovely gesture to these teachers...

just beautiful

Thi Nghe donation #2

Last Wednesday some students went with Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Patrice to volunteer their time and loving care at the Thi Nghe Orphanage.

At that time, they also delivered the second round of donation items that have been collected!

I must say, I am incredibly impressed by the generosity of the AIS middle school students! Thank you for all that you've given. The orphanage really appreciates the items!!

you read everywhere!

I've taken to bringing my current book into the lobby, just outside the library doors, during the morning and afternoon breaks. I like being among the bustle of the students during this time... and it's fun to have many students stop as they walk by to check out what I'm reading!

Keiny, in 6th grade, just made my day... he came up to me during the afternoon break and said, "Ms. Stacia, I wish I had a camera because you read everywhere and it's so funny." Hahaha. Thanks Keiny! I take that as a huge compliment.  :)  ...He went into the library to get my camera to take the picture above.  :P

[I've just started Sarah Dessen's book, That Summer.]

Reading Buddies -- April Visit

I have really enjoyed being a part of Reading Buddies with Ms. Sarah and her 6th grade ESL class this year! We have kept up regularly with our monthly visits... and I believe that our visit to Saigon Pearl at the end of April was the best one yet!

This experience has been wonderful... to see the growth of our 6th graders in their English language skills, their reading skills, and their ability to keep a 3-year-old entertained with books! Not only that... but the 3-year-olds have blossomed throughout the school year as well... they are not as shy, they enjoy the books with our students, AND they are much taller now!

I talked with one of the preschool teachers from Saigon Pearl and she said that she definitely wants to keep Reading Buddies going next year -- what a compliment to us and our students!

Well done to Ms. Sarah's class :) ...and hopefully we can fit one more visit in this month before the school year ends.

Ms. Stacia - new 6th grader

Tina, in 8th grade, put together a wonderful video to show to next year's incoming 6th graders... all about middle school... and how much it ROCKS!

Enjoy  :)

Thanks to everyone who helped in the making of this video! The 5th graders come to the middle school this morning for an orientation of our campus and this video will be a part of that.