Fun, New Learning Exercise!

I have started reading the Bible in Chinese.
Every morning, when I read one chapter in English, I copy and paste one verse from the Chinese Bible into a google doc, transcribe it into pinyin, and translate any words I don't know, also taking note of any grammar structures.

Here are three apps that work really well to do this:

1)  iPieta app
iPieta.com, https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id311106959
This app has several bibles in different languages, even Chinese!  You can download the bible, and copy and paste from here.

2)  Written Chinese Dictionary app
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/written-chinese-dictionary/id868483589?mt=8
When you open this app, the Chinese verse copied will appear in the search window.  This will give you the word for word translation and the pinyin.  You can also create flashcards for unfamiliar words if you like!

3)  Catholic Chinese English Holy Bible Audio Book app
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/catholic-chinese-english-holy-bible-audio-book/id882413842?mt=8
This app will allow you to hear the scripture read.

I will most likely try to develop a Chinese curriculum using Scripture.  (I taught my kids Latin using Scripture, with the curriculum provided by the Classical Liberal Arts Academy.  This method seems to work really well!)

The Dynasties Song

Before we begin, here is a helpful outline of Chinese history. There is some "mythological" history-some of the most important stuff-before the Shang dynasty that we will cover later!

"The Dynasties Song"

This "dynasties song," sung to the tune of "Frère Jacques,"
can help students remember the major Chinese dynasties in chronological order.

Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han

Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han

Sui, Tang, Song
Sui, Tang, Song

Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic
Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic

Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong

— Courtesy of the teachers on the College Board AP-World History Listserve

Yeah! A new blog!

Hi there!  I will be adopting a new identity this fall.  I am going to be a Chinese teacher!  
Meiguo mama simply means American mother. :)
I have been studying for about 4 years:  Not only the Chinese language, but also pre-Communist culture and history by watching an excessive amount of Chinese historical dramas!!!  (Hats off to Lilly for introducing me to this genre of entertainment.)  Anyway, I have decided to document all the wonderful things I have learned during my hours of "study" in this blog, so as to not let my findings slip away into the ether...

OH!  Lest you think I watch TV all day long, let me assure you that these are the only TV shows that I watch; about 1-2 hours a day, after the kids go to bed.