China Tree School

China Tree is a school run by an adoptive couple with a little girl from China. It's purpose is to teach Chinese culture and language to kids. Olivia attended in the fall of 2008, but the school wasn't running the way the couple wanted, so they shut it down for a time. They have started up again with a new location and new cirriculum. We've attended 2 classes so far. Olivia loves it. I think she'll do really well. Brooke is young enough that she just likes to go places and socialize with other kids. I don't know that she'll pick up much language, she doesn't pay much attention to the teacher, but the exposure will be good for her. First the kids start with writing, then they move to circle time, where they work on language basics - the 4 tones, the Chinese alphabet, etc. Then they split up and move into smaller classes and work more closely with the teachers doing arts and crafts, etc.

Here is Olivia during circle time. She loves to volunteer and move around. The little boy at the front is Sheridan. His folks have been SO valuable to us during the wait (for Brooke's paperwork to be completed), during travel and getting all the post-adoptive paperwork done. Plus, they are just really nice folks.

This is just a shot of Olivia jumping during circle time. I caught her just as her feet left the ground and it looks like she's on her tippy toes.
Here are the little ones in their separate class. Sheridan is in blue. Little Ella is in green. She lives just down the street from us and is 3 years old. Brooke is in red and Olivia is behind her. Their teacher is Autumn. She is VERY patient. She has to be.

The Chinese language uses 4 tones. You can say the same word 4 different ways and each tone gives the word a different meaning. Very tricky!! (It's even worse than trying to memorize the "la" and "le" in French!) Here are the kids being drilled about the 4 tones. Olivia, Sheridan and Maddy are at the front. Like I said, Olivia likes to move...