sound off! grade 1!

On Thursday we had Sports Day. Well, the administration at SSBS went between calling it Sports Day, Sports Meet, or Sports Meeting. Anywho, it is kind of like a Track and Field Day that you probably had when you were a kid, except this was more intense because it is China and everything is serious competition. 

The first and second graders had their time in the afternoon. There were speeches and introductions first (because again, this is China and everything is a ceremony) and then the kids did a "fitness dance". It is a loosely choreographed dance that the kids have been practicing for months and thank goodness it is over! Bless their hearts, some kids are just born without rhythm. After the dance performance (complete with blue poms-poms for everyone), there were a few dance presentations put on by professional dancers. I think many young boys and girls were inspired to become dancers and cheerleaders that day, especially the boys because the professional guys were total awesomesauce. Once that was wrapped up, it was event time. We went around to several events for the kids to compete it. And when I say compete, I mean compete. They timed and measured absolutely everything. Good things the first graders don't seem to care as much as the older kids and wanted to have fun. After the four events, there was a massive relay race for all the first and second grade classes. That was entertaining, considering I had one kids run back to me rather than run to the other side of the field like she was supposed to. The day ended with the kids participating in a three-legged races with their parents and that was hilarious because try watching a first grader with tiny legs trying to keep up with an adult (though not a tall adult) was just funny. They were so sweet to watch. 

Overall, it was a successful day and nice to not only have a day out in the sun with lower pollution, but it was lovely to have the kids have significant time outside because that never happens here. Enjoy the pictures!

Dance rehearsal. It was quite endearing to watch how hard the PE teachers worked to keep those kids in straight lines.

Yes, they all got matching shirts. A color for each grade. Second grade was white, third was sky blue, fourth was yellow.

My co-teacher, Ms. Cai, giving the kids a rousing speech about safety. She is wearing a pink polo shirt that all the teachers had. I did not wear mine, I wore a pink shirt because I absolutely DESPISE polo shirts with a passion. (Plus, it was a bit small.)

Ben, the boy on the right, was actually excited to have his little sister there and it was so cute to watch. Alas, when I asked them to smile for a picture, this is what I got.

This is one of the interns this semester, Sharon. She's a complete star and got her master's in education at the University of Edinburgh. Respect. 

These little ladies decided to adopt Ben's sister for awhile and it was the only time that I saw that sweet little baby get even moderately frustrated. 

My team for the relay race. I still have no idea what team won....no one told me.