Seasons are one of my go-to-topics because they offer such a rich content and kids can learn the concept through first-hand experiences! This winter, my students delved into the theme “Winter” through reading, writing and science. We read books about various aspects of winter, including weather, activities, animals, holidays and traditions, etc. Our final project? Creating an informational writing piece in Chinese where students become experts and teach the readers all about winter!

Take a Look at Our Students’ Finished Work:

What are the Scaffolds and Differentiations?

Most of us have classes with Chinese learners at mixed levels, and it can be quite a challenge to meet their various needs. Here are some tools that have been proven helpful to us:

1. Planning with a Graphic Organizer:

My students follow the 5 Writing Process for all their writing pieces. For example, this graphic organizer offers them a structured framework to organize their ideas when planning.

2. Using Work Bank with Pictures:

Visuals provide context and reinforce understanding, making vocabulary acquisition much more accessible and encouraging students to become independent writers.

3. Assigning Sub-topics:

Giving students headings and sub-topics helps them feel less overwhelmed and better focus on each aspect. This is a great way to differentiate and give your students the support they need in order for them to achieve the same end product.

4. Allowing Students to Write in English:

Don’t let the lack of vocabulary in Chinese stop your students’ thinking! Let them write the words they aren’t quite sure of in English in their drafts, then teach those words in Chinese afterward. In other words, let their thinking and writing flow.

If you would like to try this idea in your Chinese immersion or dual language class, feel free to purchase the resources below in our TpT store.