April at Tiger Cub Immersion School was brimming with the joys of learning, discovery, and creativity as students explored a variety of engaging themes and activities. From delving into the wonders of trees to celebrating Earth Day and Qingming Festival, the month was a vibrant celebration of nature, culture, and curiosity.
Our exploration of trees took students on an exciting journey through science, art, and storytelling. Students began by learning about the lifecycle of trees, starting from seeds and growing into magnificent structures of branches and leaves. Stories such as “A Tree Is A Plant,” “The Giving Tree,” and “Be A Tree” sparked meaningful discussions about the anatomy of trees and their importance in our lives. Students also learned to label the various parts of trees in both Chinese and English. Additionally, students learned about the animals that live in trees, with stories like “Whose Home Is This?” and “Bird Builds A Home” inspiring imaginative artworks of tree-dwelling creatures while teaching students about the diverse inhabitants of nature. Creativity flourished as our students crafted paper mosaic trees, painted landscapes, and constructed “flipbooks” that portrayed trees through the changing seasons.
April was a month of growth and development in academic pursuits. Students practiced writing Chinese characters in the correct stroke order while also expanding their vocabulary. They read intriguing Chinese stories such as “The Mirror” and poems like “Ode to the Willow.” In addition to learning Chinese, students also engaged with English-language books that complemented their thematic explorations, such as “The Secret of Tree Rings” and “What Does the Monkey Do?” Furthermore, students practiced their math skills through interactive sorting games and activities that encouraged problem-solving, while science experiments, such as observing the germination of seeds, nurtured curiosity and critical thinking. Outdoor yoga sessions and soccer games provided opportunities for physical development and teamwork.
In honor of Earth Day, students explored the importance of caring for our planet through the “4 R’s” – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Thought-provoking stories, including “If the Earth Got Sick,” “What It Means to be Green,” and “My Friend Earth,” sparked discussions about sustainability and inspired students to take actionable steps toward environmental stewardship. Hands-on activities included creating flower seed balls with recycled paper and sorting actions into categories of “sustainable” and “harmful.” Students also practiced eco-friendly habits such as recycling paper, conserving water, and planting seeds to contribute to a greener future.
The month also included opportunities for learning about traditional Chinese culture, such as the Qingming Festival that took place this month. Students explored this important holiday through stories that taught them about honoring ancestors through tending gravestones and enjoying traditional foods like qingtuan, a rice dumpling colored with mugwort and filled with red bean paste.
As April draws to a close, we are thrilled to announce that May will bring new adventures as we delve into the captivating theme of “Buildings.” Stay tuned for more stories and discoveries as we continue to nurture curiosity and creativity at Tiger Cub Immersion School!
Students scooped soil and planted mung bean seeds in their own pots.
Students painted a tree design with broccoli.
Students illustrated a tree in each season, cut it out, and attached the four trees together into a flipbook that depicts all four seasons.
Students colored and painted different animals that live in trees.
Students played a game where they tried to find matching pairs of colorful butterflies.
Students read stories and poems such as “The Mirror” and “Ode to the Willow” and practiced writing Chinese vocabulary characters that they learned.
Students sorted environmentally friendly and unfriendly actions.
Students took turns painting a whale and attaching examples of plastic waste found in the ocean that may end up in the stomachs of many sea animals, such as whales.
Students recycled cutoffs of construction paper to piece together colorful trees of their design.
Students played outside and enjoyed the spring weather. On the Thursday before Easter, they searched the playground to find and collect Easter eggs filled with surprises!
