My name is Sedonah. I'm an eighth grader at Sierra Madre Middle School. I like to dance and play the piano. I joined Mandarin Moments to be more involved in the Mandarin program at my school.
Hi, my name is Matthew Tang. I am a 7th grader at Sierra Madre Middle School. I enjoy playing video games and hockey. I joined Mandarin Moments because wanted to improve my Mandarin writing and extra credit.
邓平正
Matthew Tang
如果你希望加入我们的团队，请发邮件到liu.jingshuang@pusd.us. If you wish to join our team, please email liu.jingshuang@pusd.us.
In New Jersey’s West Windsor-Plainsboro School District, middle school students in the Mandarin immersion program learn science in Mandarin. We interviewed their 6th-grade Mandarin science teacher, Ms. Luo (Lijing Luo), who gave us an in-depth overview of the program.
To inspire students' interest in learning Chinese and improve their speaking skills, we will host the 2025 PUSD Chinese Speech Contest on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the MPR of Sierra Madre Middle School! This event is not only an opportunity to showcase language proficiency but also a valuable platform to build confidence and enhance public speaking skills We sincerely invite all 3rd-8th grade students in the Chinese Immersion Program to participate and showcase their talents!
Competition Groups & Speech Topics
3rd-5th Grade Group (Speech duration: up to 2 minutes)
My Family – Share your family story and express gratitude and appreciation. My Favorite Book – Introduce a book that has had a significant impact on you and explain why you like it.
6th-8th Grade Group (Speech duration: up to 3 minutes)
What Is My Dream? – Talk about your career aspirations or life goals and how you plan to achieve them.
If I Could Have a Superpower, What Would It Be and Why? – Use your imagination to explore why you would choose this superpower and its possible impact.
Competition Process
Registration Deadline: March 31, 2025 ➡ Registration Link
Speech Manuscript & Video Submission Deadline: April 14, 2025
Submission Requirements
6th-8th Grade: Submit your speech manuscript to your Chinese teacher. Each teacher will recommend students for the final round
3rd-5th Grade: Submit both your speech manuscript and a video recording (face must be visible; audio-only submissions will not be accepted) to liu.jingshuang@pusd.us.
Email subject format: Speech Contest + Name + Grade (e.g., Speech Contest + Wang Ming + 3rd Grade)
Finalist Notification: Students selected for the final round will be notified by April 18, 2025.
Final Competition Date: Monday, May 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM
Competition Requirement: Contestants will deliver their speeches live, and judges will ask follow-up questions after the speech
Location: Sierra Madre Middle School MPR Awards
The following awards will be given for each group:
First Prize (1 winner): $100
Second Prize (2 winners): $50 each
Third Prize (4 winners): $25 each
Outstanding Performance Award (5 winners): $10 gift card from 99 Ranch Market
Category Judging Criteria Points
Content & Relevance
The speech is focused, positive, clear, and demonstrates depth in thought 10pts
The speech contains engaging and relatable examples or stories 10pts
The structure is logical, well-organized, and easy to follow. 5pts
Language Skills
Pronunciation is clear, and words are enunciated accurately. 10pts
Speech is smooth and fluent, with natural rhythm and emotional variation. 5pts
Appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures are used for the student’s level. 5pts
No major grammatical errors or excessive code-switching between Chinese and English. 10pts
Timing
Presentatio nal Skills
Speech stays within the required time frame (1 5-2 minutes for grades 3-5, 2.5-3 minutes for grades 6-8). 5pts
Effective use of tone, gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions to enhance engagement. 5pts
Speaker projects their voice confidently and engages the audience. 5pts
Speech is delivered naturally, without over-reliance on notes 10pts
Q&A Session
The speaker understands and responds appropriately to judges' questions 20pts
From November 21 to 24, 2024, the Chinese teachers at Sierra Madre Middle School attended the ACTFL conference in Philadelphia. The ACTFL conference is one of the biggest and most influential conferences for foreign language teaching in the USA. Language education experts and teachers from all around the world attend this conference.
At the conference, our Mandarin Immersion teachers presented “Mandarin Moment”.Our magazine received high praise from Mandarin Immersion teachers and other language teachers. This not only showcases our school’s innovative methods of teaching Mandarin but also provides new teaching ideas and inspiration for other language immersion teachers
In the 21st National Chinese Essay Contest, organized by the Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS), Ketsai Sorale, a sixthgrade student from Sierra Madre Middle School, won the gold award! While Skylar Wong won the bronze medal in the same category!
This year's competition, themed "Sports and Me," attracted participants of various Chinese proficiency levels from across the United States. The contest was divided into three categories: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Ketsai competed in the intermediate category and stood out among numerous contestants with outstanding writing skills and a unique expression style, ultimately winning the gold award!
Students from SMMS Won Gold in the National Chinese Composition Competition
This year’s contest was themed “Benefits of Sports.” Ketsai and Skylar both competed in the intermediate category, both winning awards with their amazing literature skills.
2024年AAICE全国中文教育展获奖者
2024 AAICE National Chinese Education Exhibition Winners
皮影戏《西游记之龙宫借宝》
Shadow Puppetry: "Journey to the West - Borrowing Treasure from the Dragon Palace"
Nathaniel Hsieh, Shawn Liu, James Orense, Rhys Lee
6th to 8th grade students participated in the 2024 National Chinese Education Achievement Exhibition, with a total of seven programs selected, five of which were chosen for online video presentations. Students showcased their passion for learning Chinese in various forms.
The recent Eaton Fires have had a devastating impact on our community. These fires have left countless people without homes, schools, and businesses. Communities are still grappling with the severe impact of the damage done. Students were interviewed on ways we can help the community, including ways we can restore properties, and how the community has come together to help families impacted by the fires.
While our community's road to recovery may be long and challenging, showing our support can make a meaningful difference to individuals and communities in need. Rebuilding will take time and support, but we are confident that communities will emerge stronger and better than before.
DongZhi festival is usually celebrated on December 20th, 21st, or 23rd when the night is the longest. Chinese people celebrate the Dongzhi Festival in many ways. The most popular ways are worshipping heaven and ancestors, saying the Nines of Winter, making rice wine, and eating dumplings and ginger rice Dongzhi festival (冬⾄) means “Winter Arrival” It is one of the 24 solar terms of China’s solar calendar. It has long been celebrated when the night is the longest and the day is the shortest in the Northern Hemisphere. In northern China where it can get very cold, the people didn’t have sufficient warm clothing and adequate heating, so they ate hot food and drank hot liquids to stay warm People believed that there was insufficient Yang energy when the days were short, and they tried to eat high-Yang foods according to Chinese medicinal cuisine principles. Dumplings have been the most traditional food in the north of China for a long time. People make dumplings on Dongzhi Day with their family and friends. Besides dumplings, people of South China have a tradition of eating glutinous rice balls called tangyuan The history of eating tangyuan can be dated back to the Song Dynasty (960–1279) tangyuan symbolizes family unity and prosperity. These are specially cooked balls of rice that might have a filling of bean paste or meat with sweet highyang herbs. These are usually pink or white colored. Tangyuan is often served in a bowl with a sweet soup or broth
The Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional holidays in China, starting on the first day of the lunar calendar. However, preparations often begin as early as the twelfth lunar month. Here are the main customs leading up to the festival:
Lunar December 23: Kitchen God Worship
This day, known as "Little New Year," is when people honor the Kitchen God by offering sweets, dried fruits, tea, and other items In some regions, they also burn a picture of the Kitchen God, symbolizing his return to heaven to report on the household's behavior.
Lunar December 24: House Cleaning
On this day, families thoroughly clean their homes in a tradition called "sweeping the dust" This symbolizes bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, clearing out bad luck from the past year. Since cleaning is considered inauspicious during the Spring Festival, most households complete it before the new year.
Lunar December 25: Making Tofu
According to folklore, the Jade Emperor inspects the mortal world on this day to see if people are preparing for the new year. The tradition of making tofu stems from its homophonic connection to "dou fu" (blessing and fortune), symbolizing good luck.
Lunar December 26: Preparing Meat
Traditionally called "slaughtering pigs for the new year," this day was when families prepared meat for the Spring Festival feast. In the past, meat was a precious commodity, so this was an essential part of the celebrations.
Lunar December 27: Shopping at the Market
Four days before the festival, people flock to markets to purchase supplies for the new year, including food, spring couplets, and festive decorations
Lunar December 28: Fermenting Dough and Decorating
"On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, ferment the dough." This marks the beginning of preparations for steaming buns Families also decorate their homes with spring couplets, New Year paintings, and paper cuttings to create a festive atmosphere
Lunar December 29: Steaming Buns
On this day, many households steam buns and cakes, symbolizing "rising" fortunes in the new year In some regions, people also perform ancestor worship to show gratitude and remembrance
Lunar December 30: New Year's Eve - Staying Up and Celebrating the New Year
New Year's Eve is the climax of the Spring Festival. Families gather for a reunion dinner, stay up late to welcome the new year, and set off firecrackers According to legend, this tradition originated from driving away the "Nian" beast Firecrackers and staying up late are considered to bring safety and good fortune. Additionally, before the Spring Festival, people often cut their hair and buy new clothes, symbolizing a fresh start and wishing for a prosperous year ahead.
Customs of the Chinese New Year from Day One to Fifteen
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China Each day has its unique customs Below is an overview of the traditions from the first day to the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, combining nationwide practices with local characteristics:
Day 1: Spring Festival
Customs: Paying New Year visits, setting off firecrackers
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, people visit elders and neighbors to extend New Year greetings, wishing each other "Happy New Year" and "Peace and Prosperity." It is considered bad luck to sweep or take out the trash, as it may "sweep away" fortune. Firecrackers are often set off to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
Day 2: Returning to the Bride's Family, Worshipping the God of Wealth
Customs: Visiting the bride's family, worshipping the God of Wealth
Married daughters return to their parents’ homes with their husbands and children to pay respects. Gifts are typically in pairs, symbolizing good fortune. In some regions, people also worship the God of Wealth to pray for prosperity in the new year
Day 3: Burning Door God Paper, Avoiding Rice
Customs: Burning Door God paper, staying at home
The third day, known as "Chi Gou Day" (Red Dog Day), is considered unlucky for visiting others, so people prefer to stay home In some places, they burn the paper images of Door Gods to send off the old year’s guardians. It is also common to avoid eating rice, instead opting for dumplings or noodles
Day 4: Welcoming the Kitchen God, Sending Away Poverty
Customs: Welcoming the Kitchen God, driving away poverty
On the fourth day, people prepare offerings to welcome the Kitchen God back to their homes, hoping for blessings and protection Some regions practice "sending away poverty" by symbolically discarding old or unnecessary items.
Day 5: Breaking the Fifth Day, Welcoming the God of Wealth
Customs: Welcoming the God of Wealth, reopening businesses
The fifth day, known as "Po Wu" (Breaking the Fifth), is when restrictions of the previous days are lifted. People can now sweep and dispose of trash. Businesses reopen, and many hold ceremonies to welcome the God of Wealth, praying for success and prosperity.
Day 6: Driving Away Poverty
Customs: Cleaning, sending away poverty
On the sixth day, households thoroughly clean their homes, symbolically driving away bad luck and welcoming good fortune.
Day 7: People’s Day
Customs: Celebrating People’s Day, eating "Seven Trea Soup". The seventh day, known as "People’s Day," is sai be the birthday of humanity. In some regions, people e soup made with seven types of vegetables, symbolizing health and vitality
Day 8: Festival of the Stars
Customs: Worshipping the stars, praying for blessings. On the eighth day, people conduct rituals to honor the stars and pray for their protection and blessings for a smooth year ahead
Day 9: The Jade Emperor’s Birthday
Customs: Worshipping heaven, honoring the Jade Emperor The ninth day marks the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven People prepare offerings to worship him, praying for peace, harmony, and favorable weather
Day 10: Stone Festival
Customs: Worshipping the Stone God
The tenth day is the "Stone Festival," during which people worship the Stone God to pray for agricultural prosperity It is a day to avoid moving stones as a sign of respect for nature
Day 11: Son-in-Law Day
Customs: Hosting banquets for sons-in-law
On this day, parents invite their daughters and sons-in-law over for a meal to express care and foster family relationships
Day 12: Preparing Lanterns, Hiding Scissors
Customs: Building lantern sheds, preparing decorations
On the twelfth day, people start preparing lanterns for the Lantern Festival Some regions also observe the custom of hiding scissors to avoid "cutting off" good fortune
Day 13: Lighting Stove Lanterns
Customs: Lighting lanterns, worshipping the Kitchen God
On the thirteenth day, people light stove lanterns to symbolize prosperity and prepare for the upcoming Lantern Festival
On this day, people light and test lanterns to ensure they are ready for the Lantern Festival. In some regions, they also worship Linshui Niangniang (the Goddess of Safe Childbirth) for blessings
The fifteenth day marks the Lantern Festival, the grand finale of the Spring Festival People celebrate by admiring lantern displays, solving riddles, and enjoying glutinous rice balls (Tangyuan), symbolizing family unity and happiness
Spring Festival Words
中文 英文 拼音
春联 Spring Festival Couplets chūn lián
红包 Red Packets hóng bāo
团圆饭 Reunion Dinner tuán yuán fàn
年夜饭 New Year’s Eve Dinner nián yè fàn
贴福字 Sticking Fu (福) upside down tiē fú zì
拜年 Paying New Year’s Visits bài nián
放鞭炮 Setting off Firecrackers fàng biān pào
舞龙舞狮 Dragon and Lion Dance wu lóng wu shī
祭祖 Ancestral Worship jì zu
祈福 Praying for Good Fortune qí fú
守岁 Staying up Late on New Year’s Eve shou suì
烧香 Burning Incense shāo xiāng
扫尘 Spring Cleaning sao chén
走亲访友 Visiting Relatives and Friends zou qīn fang you
祭灶 Kitchen God Worship jì zào
贴春联 Hanging Spring Festival Couplets tiē chūn lián
Like many festivals, the Laba Festival has a legend. Sakyamuni, a prince in the north of ancient India, could no longer bear the people’s suffering from illness and the theocracy ruled by Brahman. And so, he left his lofty position and ventured out to find to enlighten himself according to religious doctrine. When he was sitting under the bodhi tree on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, he then realized the truth of Buddhism after six years of handling a very hard life and self-torture. It is said that Sakyamuni only ate rice every day, so by eating porridge on the eighth day of the twelfth month is a way every year people honor him.
Today people celebrate Laba festival by eating porridge to commemorate Sakyamuni. This has been a tradition since the Song dynasty in 960. People will add many varieties of toppings to their porridge, for example oats, corn, beans, chestnuts, almonds and peanuts etc Because We have been making this porridge for a long time there are about over 100 different cooking methods. After you are done cooking you will offer the porridge to your friends, but make sure you leave some to symbolize a good harvest.
A Traditional Festival to Welcome the Spring Festival
The Kitchen God Festival or Little New Year is a Chinese festival to honor the Kitchen God. It’s usually celebrated around a week before the Spring Festival. In Northern China, the Kitchen God Festival is celebrated on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, but in Southern China, the Kitchen God Festival is celebrated on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.
During Little New Year, families also clean their homes as they sweep away the old and welcome the new. A Chinese myth is that on the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, ghosts will choose to return to heaven or stay on Earth. So people believe that if they clean thoroughly, the ghosts will leave and return to heaven Some kinds of New Year cleaning is scrubbing doors, windows, and the interior of the house People also make couplets and paper cuttings during the last night of cleaning and hang them up as decoration.
According to some Chinese mythology, the Kitchen God will go back to heaven and report to the Jade Emperor(the God of Heaven), on how every household has done during the past lunar year. The Jade Emperor will then decide whether to bestow luck on or punish the household. During Little New Year, families will burn a picture of the Kitchen God, because they want to send his spirit to heaven. Then they will put a new picture of the Kitchen God to welcome him back to supervise and protect their family. Finally, the family will leave out offerings like coins, fish, fruits, melons, Guangdong sugar, and many different foods for the kitchen god. This sacrifice is to make sure that the Kitchen God will only say good things about the family when he ascends to heaven to report.
Sixth-grade students recently studied the Mesopotamian history unit, exploring the origins and development of this ancient civilization. To reinforce their learning, they completed a Mesopotamian timeline project at the end of the unit, creating a timeline to showcase significant historical figures and their major achievements in the region. For this project, students were required to design a timeline on a poster, marking five key historical periods and illustrating the notable accomplishments of each period. Through this hands-on activity, students not only reviewed Mesopotamian history but also gained a deeper understanding of its different historical eras and their significant contributions to civilization.
The 6th graders recently completed a unit focused on Chinese idioms, learning many interesting phrases such as "mend the pen after the sheep is lost," "give an inch and take a mile," "add fuel to the fire," and "quit halfway." At the end of the unit, students participated in a special creative project idiom comics. They designed and created vivid and engaging comic stories based on the meanings of the idioms they learned, demonstrating their deep understanding and rich imagination.
Seventh-grade students studied the Islamic Civilization unit in their history class and explored this civilization in depth through the Islamic Museum Curation Project. Students not only provided a detailed introduction to various aspects of Islamic civilization but also created 3D models to vividly showcase the unique cultural and historical impact of Islam.
Seventh-grade students studied the argumentative essay unit in their Chinese class, discussing topics related to school and learning. In this unit, they learned to distinguish between thesis statements, supporting evidence, and reasoning, while also practicing how to use these elements to construct persuasive essays.
八年级学生作业
8th Grade Student Work
林泰旸 《“严师”未必出“高徒”》
Terry Lim "A strict teacher may not produce a good student"
Sasha Yeh “Language (Trust), Building a Bridge of Communication”
卡希拉 《生命 “诚 ” 可贵》
Graciela Lopez "Honesty in life is precious"
Eighth graders are learning to write argumentative essays in their Chinese class. An argumentative essay is a type of essay that convinces the reader of a specific point of view The author uses facts, reasoning, distinguishing right from wrong, and giving examples to convince the reader Many of the argumentative essays written by students are more related to Chinese culture, such as the topic "A "strict teacher" may not produce a "good student"" Below are some essays written by eighth graders
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