While I breathe, I explore, I hope

4月20日是中国农历二十四节气的“谷雨”，也是联合国设立的一年一度的“中文日”。2010年联合国举办首届中文日，旨在进一步扩大中文作为联合国官方语言的影响力，让越来越多的不同文化的人接触和了解中国悠久的文明和灿烂的文化。

April 20 is the date of Guyu ("Rain of Millet") of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar. It is also the annual Chinese Language Day established by the United Nations. The first Chinese Language Day held by the United Nations in 2010 aims to further expand the influence of Chinese as the official language of the United Nations, and to let more and more people of different cultures get to know and understand the ancient culture.

庆祝中文日的方式有很多种，其中之一是了解和传承书法文化。在中文日这一天，东华文泽学校中文部老师组织了一场全校性的书法比赛，学生们工整地书写了《清明》、《诗经·蒹葭》等古诗词。

书法是中华文化的重要组成部分，作为一种书写的艺术，学生们根据汉字的字形和结构，进行字体的临摹，或根据自身的理解进行字形的再创造。与此同时，通过书法的窗口，了解诗词背后的含义和所蕴藏的文化，传承这门古老的艺术。

Calligraphy is an important part of Chinese culture. Following the words, students learn the structure and recreate the characters according to their own understanding. Through the window of calligraphy, we can understand the meaning and culture behind poetry.

作为探究性单元的一部分，三年级学生一直在探索商品和服务之间的差异。为了研究，他们查阅了图书馆的书籍和数字资源，提高了学生调查和研究的过程，也加深了学生对商品和服务的理解。

As part of our current unit of inquiry, Grade 3 has been exploring the differences between goods and services. For research, they used both digital and physical resources found in our library. This research enhanced the inquiry process and deepened students understanding of goods and services.  

本单元课程将以学生为主导的筹款活动作为总结性评估，目的是为了让学生充分利用此次机会，参与销售商品和服务。在此过程中，他们到访实地参观一家玩具工厂，体验产品是如何计划、设计、生产和销售的。

The unit will conclude with a student-led fundraiser through the sale of both goods and services for students to make the most of this opportunity. They agreed it would be in their interest to visit a company to experience how a product was planned, designed, produced and sold. 

我们很幸运地找到不同的公司，并表示愿意接待我们，而最终我们的学生选择了东莞市和誉玩具厂。能够真实地感受和参与玩具制造供应链，对于TWIS的学生来说是一次珍贵的体验。学生们协助工作人员进行产品的清洁和包装，并咨询了制造玩具的过程——从画在纸上的草图，到它们被包装在盒子里的过程。

We were very lucky to find different companies willing to host us, but ultimately our students chose Dongguan Heyu Toy Factory. The factory visit was a great hit among TWIS students who had the privilege to engage in the toy-making supply chain. They assisted the staff in cleaning and packing. Students asked questions regarding the process, discovering that toys begin as drawings on paper until they are packed in the box. 

同时，在与工厂员工相处的过程中，学生们还展示了良好的IB学习者属性——善于沟通的人（Communicators）。他们思考制作一个产品需要花费多少时间和精力，并进一步咨询制作一个玩具是否有利润。总的来说，这次实地考察为学生提供了不同的视角，加强了他们的探究能力和理解能力。同时，三年级的学生也很感谢和誉玩具厂提供宝贵的机会，为他们打开了教育的大门。

Students demonstrated the IB learner profile of being good communicators with the factory staff. Grade 3 also reflected on how much time and effort goes into preparing a single product. Some students went further to ask if there is profit to be made from making one doll. Overall, this field trip provided a different perspective for our students, enhancing our inquiry and understanding. A very big THANK YOU on behalf of grade 3 to Heyu Toy Factory for opening their doors to education. 

在TWIS，每个月最让人期待的活动之一是什么？没错，就是每个月给听众传递愉悦、温暖和力量的“下午茶音乐会”。

在这次音乐会中，学生们准备了钢琴独奏、小提琴独奏和音乐合奏等乐器演奏节目，乐曲包括《City of Stars》 、《The Wind is Blowing》和《Theme and Variation by Haydn》等等。

下午茶音乐会已经举办了近一个学年，听众们已经学会遵从良好的音乐会礼仪，而表演者对于音乐的热爱、热情和专注也令人十分动容。

What's one of the most expected events at TWIS every month? That's right. It's the Music Teatime Showcase that brings us happiness and energy.

In this concert, our young musicians prepared piano solo, violin solo, music ensemble and other musical instrument performance programs. The pieces include City of Stars, The Wind is Blowing and Theme and Variation by Haydn, and so on.

The Teatime Showcase has been held for nearly an academic year. Our audience has learned to follow the concert etiquette, and our performers' love, passion and concentration for music are so impressive.

PYP小学项目的学生看着他们的老师在舞台上模仿和表演学生之间的冲突，随之而来的是一阵笑声。误解和分歧总是会不可避免的，但重要的是我们如何处理它们。在TWIS，我们相信直接、真实和明确的情感技巧教学，因为学生可以学习如何在不同情境下采取适当的行动和言语。与此同时，也在练习使用一些策略来防止冲突情况的恶化，比如深呼吸、离开或向成年人寻求帮助。

Lots of laughter followed by A-HA moments when the PYP watched their teachers re-enact on stage common causes of conflict observed among students. Misunderstanding and disagreements will always occur but it is how we approach them that makes a difference. At TWIS, we believe in the direct, explicit teaching of affective skills so that our students learn how to act and what to say appropriately in different situations. We practice using strategies to prevent situations from escalating like breathing deeply, walking away or seeking the help of adults. 

当学生们作出错误的选择时，他们有机会反思自己的言行，并探索纠正错误的方法。感谢老师帮助我们的学生成为善于思考和有原则的人。

When students make poor choices, they are given opportunities to reflect on their words and actions, and explore ways to make things right. Thank you teachers for helping us develop into reflective, principled students!