Cherokee is proud to offer a Mandarin Language Program for all students in District 67! Students typically join the program in kindergarten or first grade. For specific information on the Mandarin program, please see the District's Mandarin webpage.
To see pictures from field trips, celebrations, and other classroom activities, check out our Mandarin teacher on Twitter: Wan Laoshi.
Questions? Please contact our APT parent Mandarin Liaisons:
This video gives an inside peek into what our Mandarin classes look like! Students in the Mandarin program learn to read, write, speak, and comprehend the Mandarin language through integrated units that incorporate social studies concepts and Chinese language arts. In the K-4 program, students participate in 40-60 minutes of Mandarin instruction every day. Classes are taught in an immersion style by native Mandarin speakers. Being exposed to an immersion style environment helps students learn the language more naturally, like a child learns his or her native language. Teachers use modeling, manipulatives, gestures, and explanations to teach students academic content in Mandarin. This means learning the language through culture, art, and music with less emphasis on rote vocabulary memorization.
The APT (Association of Parents and Teachers) supports the Mandarin Language Program in many ways. We have two APT parent liaisons who work with the Mandarin teachers to help plan and support program events and activities throughout the year. These include
--Confucius Day celebrations
--Mandarin Fun Nights
--Chinese New Year festivities
--Field trips to Chinatown
--Lantern Festival parties
--After-school enrichment classes
--Outings to see movies about China
--Visits to special Chinese art and cultural exhibits
--Meals at Chinese restaurants
Chinese New Year Celebration 2020
Confucius Day 2019
Chinese New Year Celebration 2019
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At an all-school assembly to celebrate the Year of the Pig, Cherokee students participated in a Chinese New Year's quiz and then watched a fun, traditional Lion Dance performance. Mandarin students also enjoyed individual classroom parties, with typical Chinese New Year snacks and craft projects.
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Mandarin Fun Night 2018
All Cherokee families were invited to a fun-filled evening of games, arts, crafts, and other traditional Chinese activities. For each station completed, kids received a stamp on a map of China. When they filled up their map with stamps, they received a special prize!
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Chinese New Year Celebration 2018
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This year, Cherokee students enjoyed an all-school assembly to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Cherokee and Deer Path Middle School Mandarin students performed songs and dances to usher in the Year of the Dog while a professional team wowed students with a lively traditional Lion Dance. Mandarin students also enjoyed individual classroom parties, making traditional rice balls, arts, and crafts.
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Mandarin Fun Night 2018
All Cherokee families were invited to a fun-filled evening of games, arts, crafts, and other traditional Chinese activities. For each station completed, kids received a stamp on a map of China. When they filled up their map with stamps, they received a special prize! Click here to see the flyer for this special event.
Eating at a Chinese Restaurant 2017
Mandarin students and their families gathered at a Chinese restaurant to enjoy a delicious buffet as well as beautiful musical performances with traditional Chinese instruments.