Fabulous flags

For my second lesson, I chose to teach about flags. I told the students that flags represent many different things including countries, events, businesses, and people. I had each student make a flag that represented them. I was amazed at their creativity. Each student presented their flag in groups and then, I randomly chose a few to share their flags with the entire class. I had some memorable presentations:

- One girl drew a picture of a boat on the sea in some rough water. She said her life was like a boat at sea- always changing and not for sure where she is going. Wow!

- Another flag was decorated with a sun, moon, and tree. The student said the sun represented her father, because he is the brightest person in her life. The moon was her mom because her mom is calming and takes care of her. The tree was her because she is still growing and learning.

- A young girl drew some mountains, trees, and a river. In the middle of her flag was a table and four chairs. She told how this was a beautiful place that she wanted to come to with her family (mom, dad, and brother) to eat. She was telling a beautiful story and then she said, "I wish for this because my parents fight a lot, and it makes me very depressed." That statement came out of nowhere, and I must admit I was briefly taken back. I sure appreciated her honesty and told her that I hoped her dream would come true someday.

Following a short history lesson on the American and Chinese flags, I taught the students the song 'This Land is your Land.' This had to be the best part of the class- seeing college boys sing this song was priceless, especially since I chose the corniest version of the song you can possibly imagine. They loved it, and sang their hearts out. One thing about these students is they (the girls especially) seem younger than college age, so you can still do silly things. I told a friend that if I did this in an American University, people would think I was out of my mind!

An email from a student:
Do you know? The last class, you asked us to make our own flags,Then you make one of our dreams come true. From very early in our students' life, we have few opportunities to show something about our dreams, our hobbies or just about ourselves in the education system of China now. One of our teachers joked the examination becamed an industry now.

Here is the flag that I made and shared with my classes.


Here are additional photos of my classes and of individual flags that were given to me as gifts.