Language Loop
Language Loop: May Edition-2012
On the day of the 6th annual Multilingual Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 10th, we all had a great time! All of us spelled in our program languages and in English. The spelling bee was to test how well we learned to spell this past year. Everyone was nervous, but also excited, and in the end, everybody did a great job! We were happy to welcome our amazing judges, who were all native speakers of the languages being tested. We can’t wait for next year’s spelling bee. Hope to see you there!
Language Loop: April Edition-2012
On Thursday, April 5th, we held our annual Poetry Social! Each year, kids either read or memorize poems from their program languages. There are also opportunities to read poems in English as well. We all enjoyed hearing poems in all the different languages and everyone did an amazing job, whether it was reading or reciting. It was great to hear original poems written by students at CoIS and poems written by other authors as well.
After listening to poems in English, French, German, Mandarin and Spanish, we all enjoyed some delicious goodies. We want to thank everyone who read poems and who attended.
We can’t wait to read and listen to even more poems next year!
To see some of the poems, check back soon! We hope to add some of the great poetry to this page.
If you read a poem at the Poetry Social or heard one that you'd like to see here, please contact us.
After listening to poems in English, French, German, Mandarin and Spanish, we all enjoyed some delicious goodies. We want to thank everyone who read poems and who attended.
We can’t wait to read and listen to even more poems next year!
To see some of the poems, check back soon! We hope to add some of the great poetry to this page.
If you read a poem at the Poetry Social or heard one that you'd like to see here, please contact us.
Language Loop: March Edition-2012
For Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) we did dances, ate food and had a great time. 4th through 8th grades did a dance called the red horse dance, a dance about a horse. We ate crepes made by the French program.
The reason there is Mardi Gras because on Wednesday it is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, when people fast or give something up for forty days until Easter. Since Mardi Gras is on the day before Ash Wednesday, you try to have as much to eat and have as much fun as possible!
The colors of Mardi Gras are gold, green and purple. Each of these colors represents something. Gold represents power, and is the color of richness and wealth. Purple represents justice, and is normally associated with royalty. Green represents faith, and is also the color of spirit and soul.
In France they have a huge parade that leads to a big ball and they vote for a king and queen of Mardi Gras, but most importantly you must wear a mask. Here are some other traditions: In Germany we learned that masks are used to scare away demons. Generally the masks are to become a different person and to have lots of fun. In Argentina when a band comes by people throw water and flour at them, and sometime spray them with shaving cream! Of course, we all did that to our very own French teacher Mr. Eric.
The conclusion was that Mardi Gras is a very fun day!!
The reason there is Mardi Gras because on Wednesday it is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, when people fast or give something up for forty days until Easter. Since Mardi Gras is on the day before Ash Wednesday, you try to have as much to eat and have as much fun as possible!
The colors of Mardi Gras are gold, green and purple. Each of these colors represents something. Gold represents power, and is the color of richness and wealth. Purple represents justice, and is normally associated with royalty. Green represents faith, and is also the color of spirit and soul.
In France they have a huge parade that leads to a big ball and they vote for a king and queen of Mardi Gras, but most importantly you must wear a mask. Here are some other traditions: In Germany we learned that masks are used to scare away demons. Generally the masks are to become a different person and to have lots of fun. In Argentina when a band comes by people throw water and flour at them, and sometime spray them with shaving cream! Of course, we all did that to our very own French teacher Mr. Eric.
The conclusion was that Mardi Gras is a very fun day!!
Special Dumpling Recipe!You will need:
2 lbs ground pork (or ground chicken or ground beef instead of pork. It is up to you) 1 ½ tsp salt recipes 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tsp sesame oil 1 cup chopped green onion 1 tsp chopped ginger 1 egg 1 whole chopped Chinese cabbage (also known as Napa cabbage) 3 packages of round dumpling wrappers (You can find them at an Asian grocery store) To make dumplings:
Add about 30 dumplings (or fewer, depending on the size of pot) to rapid boiling water in a large pot over medium high heat. Once the water returns to a boil, add a cup of cold water. When the water returns to a boil, repeat this. Total boiling is about 15 minutes. Make sure your dumplings are well done by cutting one in half – the pork should be white with no traces of pink. If the dumplings are not done, repeat adding cold water once more. Over boiling will soften your dumplings and cause breakage. Serve on a flat plate with soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, etc.! They freeze beautifully raw – just take them out of the freezer and boil them as above. Experiment by adding your favorite vegetables to this basic recipe! The goal is to get as much dumpling mix into the wrapper as possible – while still being able to pinch it tightly closed! Makes about 100 dumplings. |
饺子的食谱
你将需要:2磅猪肉(或鸡肉,牛肉,你可以根据你的口味选择) 1个半茶匙盐 2汤匙酱油 2小匙麻油 1杯葱花 姜末1茶匙 1个鸡蛋 1整个切碎的大白菜(亦称大白菜) 3圆形饺子皮的包(你可以在亚洲的副食店买到) 如何包饺子: 1.在一个大碗里用木勺混合所有的成分,做成饺子馅。 2.将1汤匙饺子馅放在一个圆形的饺子皮的中心。 3.用手指在一盛有水的小碗中沾水,并沿着饺子皮的边缘湿润的。 4.捏饺子中心折叠成一个半圆的形状,再沿边缘捏成褶皱,然后捏住和捏紧。 煮饺子: 把大约30饺子(根据锅的大小而定)迅速放入大锅里的沸水中,温度设置在高热量。当开锅时,中途重复加一到三次少量冷水,直到饺子膨胀变大。当你有手指压饺子皮,饺子皮立即弹回,表示饺子熟了。大约需要15分钟。 以这个基本配方,加入你喜欢的蔬菜。注意在包饺子时,一定要捏紧,不要有缝隙。 以上大约可以包100 个饺子。 |
Language Loop: February Edition-2012
February is here and soon Valentine’s Day will be too! To start off the new month, we’re bringing back an old tradition: Candy Grams. Each year, for only $1, the middle school take orders for a unique treat bag which will be distributed on February 14th. Each bag is hand-made with love by the middle school. This year, the proceeds will be going towards much-needed recreational equipment for the elementary and middle school students.
The process is simple. Pick up an order form from the front office or some extras ones in the hallway, and fill out the messages to people you care about. Finally, count the number of messages, or candy grams you will be buying, and include that many dollars in an envelope. Attach the envelope to the filled out forms and slip it into the pink Candy Gram box located in the hallway. On February 14th, your Candy Grams will be delivered! So, order some for teachers, classmates, children, parents, grandparents, piano teachers, babysitters, and anyone else you can think of!
And remember, the last day that we will be accepting orders is Thursday, February 9th!
The process is simple. Pick up an order form from the front office or some extras ones in the hallway, and fill out the messages to people you care about. Finally, count the number of messages, or candy grams you will be buying, and include that many dollars in an envelope. Attach the envelope to the filled out forms and slip it into the pink Candy Gram box located in the hallway. On February 14th, your Candy Grams will be delivered! So, order some for teachers, classmates, children, parents, grandparents, piano teachers, babysitters, and anyone else you can think of!
And remember, the last day that we will be accepting orders is Thursday, February 9th!
Language Loop: December Edition-2011
Language Loop: November Edition-2011
German program elementary students in Ms. Laura's class read and discussed the popular story Frederick, by Leo Leonni. In the story, Frederick teaches the other mice about caring and friendship. To show what they learned, students in Ms. Laura's class worked together to build a sculpture in honor of Frederick and his friends.
Language Loop: October Edition-2011
After an amazing trip to China, the Chinese upper elementary students are back and have lots to tell! Here is what they did while in China. A slideshow of pictures will be on the School Scoop website for you to enjoy!
“Sunday, September 25th, we all had to get up super early so we could get to the airport on time. We left Denver for San Franciso and got there two hours later. Then we got on a plane headed towards Beijing! The plane ride was 13 hours long, so must of us slept on the plane. We got to Beijing at 3:00 p.m. Monday afternoon Beijing time, which is 1:00 in the morning in Denver and met our tour guide. The next three days we spent at Yew Chung International School of Beijing, where we got to go to classes with a student (and new friend) of our same grade. It was super fun and we made new friends and learned lots of stuff. The next three days we were typical tourists and we went to the Great Wall of China, the Ming Tombs, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace, and even more amazing places!
Sunday night we got on an overnight train to Luoyang. When we arrived in Luoyang Monday morning, we met our new tour guide and managed to go to the Shaolin Temple and see a martial arts demonstration, all in one day! The next day we went to see the Longmen Grottoes, which were super cool.
Then we got on a high-speed bullet train and sped across China towards Xi’An. We got there two hours later and met our new tour guide. The same day we went to the Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous pagoda in Xi’An. The next morning we went to see the Terracota Army, where we spent all day.
That night we took another overnight train to Shanghai. We got there the next morning and met our final tour guide. We went to an amazing building, a beautiful garden and a market place, where we all purchased some souvenirs. The next day was our last day in China. We spent the morning at a market that was on the water! After we shopped for a while, we went to the airport. Then we took a plan to Los Angeles, which was 10 hours long. We then went and got on our last plane to Denver! The flight was two and a half hours long. Finally we arrived back home, exhausted but very happy!”
我们乘坐飞机去中国。
从丹佛到中国十五个小时,
从中国到丹佛十三个小时。
北京飞机很大很大。
我们来到了当地的国际学校,
同他们一起上课。
继三天我们很高兴。
“Sunday, September 25th, we all had to get up super early so we could get to the airport on time. We left Denver for San Franciso and got there two hours later. Then we got on a plane headed towards Beijing! The plane ride was 13 hours long, so must of us slept on the plane. We got to Beijing at 3:00 p.m. Monday afternoon Beijing time, which is 1:00 in the morning in Denver and met our tour guide. The next three days we spent at Yew Chung International School of Beijing, where we got to go to classes with a student (and new friend) of our same grade. It was super fun and we made new friends and learned lots of stuff. The next three days we were typical tourists and we went to the Great Wall of China, the Ming Tombs, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace, and even more amazing places!
Sunday night we got on an overnight train to Luoyang. When we arrived in Luoyang Monday morning, we met our new tour guide and managed to go to the Shaolin Temple and see a martial arts demonstration, all in one day! The next day we went to see the Longmen Grottoes, which were super cool.
Then we got on a high-speed bullet train and sped across China towards Xi’An. We got there two hours later and met our new tour guide. The same day we went to the Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous pagoda in Xi’An. The next morning we went to see the Terracota Army, where we spent all day.
That night we took another overnight train to Shanghai. We got there the next morning and met our final tour guide. We went to an amazing building, a beautiful garden and a market place, where we all purchased some souvenirs. The next day was our last day in China. We spent the morning at a market that was on the water! After we shopped for a while, we went to the airport. Then we took a plan to Los Angeles, which was 10 hours long. We then went and got on our last plane to Denver! The flight was two and a half hours long. Finally we arrived back home, exhausted but very happy!”
我们乘坐飞机去中国。
从丹佛到中国十五个小时,
从中国到丹佛十三个小时。
北京飞机很大很大。
我们来到了当地的国际学校,
同他们一起上课。
继三天我们很高兴。
Language Loop from September Edition-2011
Monday, September 12th 2011, was the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar Festival or Chinese Moon Festival (Zhong qiu jie)! This annual celebration takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the full moon is at its most beautiful.
There are many legends associated with the Moon Festival, including Chang E Ben Yue, Wu Gan Kan Shu and many more. This year, the Chinese program provided a wonderful celebration. There was a reading of an ancient Chinese poem, there were songs sung by the entire Mandarin Program, there was a dance created and performed by the 4th grader, there was another dance choreographed and performed by the 6th and 8th graders and there was even a play! After the performances, everyone got to enjoy delicious moon cakes. Zhong qiu jie kuai le!
Friday, September 16th 2011 was the unofficial celebration of Semana de las Independencias! Semana de las Independencias celebrates the following Spanish speaking countries’ independences: Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Chile. There was a wonderful presentation at 9:30 a.m. that included: “El Grito” by Trey, the presentation of the countries by the Spanish Pre-K, a wonderful Mexican dance by the middle school students, a superb poem by the Spanish Pre-K and middle school students and the song “Cielito Lindo” by the Spanish Program. Afterwards, there were drinks, refreshments and even a piñata later on! Also, we all made sure to wish Trey a very happy 9th birthday!
There are many legends associated with the Moon Festival, including Chang E Ben Yue, Wu Gan Kan Shu and many more. This year, the Chinese program provided a wonderful celebration. There was a reading of an ancient Chinese poem, there were songs sung by the entire Mandarin Program, there was a dance created and performed by the 4th grader, there was another dance choreographed and performed by the 6th and 8th graders and there was even a play! After the performances, everyone got to enjoy delicious moon cakes. Zhong qiu jie kuai le!
Friday, September 16th 2011 was the unofficial celebration of Semana de las Independencias! Semana de las Independencias celebrates the following Spanish speaking countries’ independences: Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Chile. There was a wonderful presentation at 9:30 a.m. that included: “El Grito” by Trey, the presentation of the countries by the Spanish Pre-K, a wonderful Mexican dance by the middle school students, a superb poem by the Spanish Pre-K and middle school students and the song “Cielito Lindo” by the Spanish Program. Afterwards, there were drinks, refreshments and even a piñata later on! Also, we all made sure to wish Trey a very happy 9th birthday!
Tea party update March-2011:
Recently, we've had quite a few events, including tea parties from Iceland (December) and Turkey (February) and also a special tea party from Slovenia (March) which was presented by our English teacher Ms. Lindsay, with the help of CoIS' 5th grader and 7th grader. In January, instead of a tea party there was a special presentation on la Fête Des Rois, or Three Kings Day.
La vérité sur l’affaire du Petit Chaperon Rouge
In French Literature class, our 7th grader, Caroline, wrote this parody on the little red riding hood from the wolf's point of view. Now, we invite you to read her parody, in French!
La vérité sur l’affaire du Petit Chaperon Rouge
Je suis sûre que vous connaissez l’histoire du petit chaperon rouge. Mais, ce que vous savez, c’est un grand mensonge. Ça, c’est la vérité :
Tout a commencé quand la fille, le petit chaperon rouge, est sortie de sa maison et a pris le chemin qui va dans la forêt. Moi, je m’occupais de mes affaires, quand elle m’aperçut dans les arbres. Comme elle n’était qu’une petite fille, elle a crié. Je suis un loup sympa, donc je suis allé la détendre. Après qu’elle a cessé de pleurer, on a parlé, et elle m’a dit qu’elle apportait des galettes à sa grand-mère. Nous nous sommes dit au revoir, et elle est partie vers la maison de sa grand-mère.
Je la regardais pendant quelques secondes, et je l’ai vu trébuché. J’ai couru à l’endroit ou elle est tombée, mais elle était déjà partie. J’ai regardé par terre pour voir s’il y avait du sang (pour savoir si elle s’était fait mal) et j’ai trouvé des clés, celles de la maison de sa grand-mère ! Que devais- je faire ? Oh ! Redonner les clés au petit chaperon rouge.
Je l’ai suivie pendant quelques minutes quand j’ai compris qu’elle ne me faisait pas confiance. (Les grands loups ont la réputation d’être méchants.) Donc, j’ai décidé de partir à la maison de sa grand-mère pour ouvrir la porte pour le petit chaperon rouge. Car je connais les meilleures routes à travers la forêt, je suis arrivé à la maison de grand-mère avant le petit chaperon rouge.
J’ai ouvert la porte et je suis entré pour donner les clés à la grand-mère quand la veille femme m’a attaqué ! (Je pense elle m’a attaqué car elle a vu les clés du petit chaperon dans ma patte.) La grand-mère m’a assommé avec son balai. Moi, je suis un loup. Après qu’elle m’ait attaqué, je me suis auto-défendu. J’étais juste un animal qui essayait de se défendre à ce moment. J’ai pris la grand-mère et, j’avoue que je l’ai mise dans une armoire. Ma tête tournait. (La grand-mère m’a frappé fort !) J’avais froid, car j’étais choqué, j’ai donc mis les vêtements de la grand-mère. Je me reposais sur le lit de la grand-mère et, par accident, je me suis endormi.
Je me suis réveillé, car le petit chaperon rouge est entré ! J’ai paniqué et j’ai essayé de la piéger pour que je puisse partir. (C’est de là que viennent tous les « grands yeux » et « grandes oreilles ». Mais je n’ai jamais dit que j’allais la manger.) Le petit chaperon rouge approchait du lit, et elle a marché sur ma queue ! J’ai sauté du lit et l’ai poussé pour qu’elle ne puisse pas remarcher sur ma queue. Puis, j’ai poussé un dernier cri de douleur.
Un pêcheur qui était proche de la maison a entendu mon cri aigu et évidemment il a pensé que c’était le cri du petit chaperon rouge. Le pêcheur est arrivé et m’a ligoté ! Ma tête me faisait mal, ma queue me faisait mal et j’étais ligoté avec du fil de pêche.
Mais, ma malchance ne faisait commencée ! La grand-mère est sortie de l’armoire et a appelé les policiers. Et moi, le loup qui voulait juste aider une petite fille, je suis allé en prison.
Maintenant, vous savez la vérité.
-Caroline K.-A., 2011-02-08
La vérité sur l’affaire du Petit Chaperon Rouge
Je suis sûre que vous connaissez l’histoire du petit chaperon rouge. Mais, ce que vous savez, c’est un grand mensonge. Ça, c’est la vérité :
Tout a commencé quand la fille, le petit chaperon rouge, est sortie de sa maison et a pris le chemin qui va dans la forêt. Moi, je m’occupais de mes affaires, quand elle m’aperçut dans les arbres. Comme elle n’était qu’une petite fille, elle a crié. Je suis un loup sympa, donc je suis allé la détendre. Après qu’elle a cessé de pleurer, on a parlé, et elle m’a dit qu’elle apportait des galettes à sa grand-mère. Nous nous sommes dit au revoir, et elle est partie vers la maison de sa grand-mère.
Je la regardais pendant quelques secondes, et je l’ai vu trébuché. J’ai couru à l’endroit ou elle est tombée, mais elle était déjà partie. J’ai regardé par terre pour voir s’il y avait du sang (pour savoir si elle s’était fait mal) et j’ai trouvé des clés, celles de la maison de sa grand-mère ! Que devais- je faire ? Oh ! Redonner les clés au petit chaperon rouge.
Je l’ai suivie pendant quelques minutes quand j’ai compris qu’elle ne me faisait pas confiance. (Les grands loups ont la réputation d’être méchants.) Donc, j’ai décidé de partir à la maison de sa grand-mère pour ouvrir la porte pour le petit chaperon rouge. Car je connais les meilleures routes à travers la forêt, je suis arrivé à la maison de grand-mère avant le petit chaperon rouge.
J’ai ouvert la porte et je suis entré pour donner les clés à la grand-mère quand la veille femme m’a attaqué ! (Je pense elle m’a attaqué car elle a vu les clés du petit chaperon dans ma patte.) La grand-mère m’a assommé avec son balai. Moi, je suis un loup. Après qu’elle m’ait attaqué, je me suis auto-défendu. J’étais juste un animal qui essayait de se défendre à ce moment. J’ai pris la grand-mère et, j’avoue que je l’ai mise dans une armoire. Ma tête tournait. (La grand-mère m’a frappé fort !) J’avais froid, car j’étais choqué, j’ai donc mis les vêtements de la grand-mère. Je me reposais sur le lit de la grand-mère et, par accident, je me suis endormi.
Je me suis réveillé, car le petit chaperon rouge est entré ! J’ai paniqué et j’ai essayé de la piéger pour que je puisse partir. (C’est de là que viennent tous les « grands yeux » et « grandes oreilles ». Mais je n’ai jamais dit que j’allais la manger.) Le petit chaperon rouge approchait du lit, et elle a marché sur ma queue ! J’ai sauté du lit et l’ai poussé pour qu’elle ne puisse pas remarcher sur ma queue. Puis, j’ai poussé un dernier cri de douleur.
Un pêcheur qui était proche de la maison a entendu mon cri aigu et évidemment il a pensé que c’était le cri du petit chaperon rouge. Le pêcheur est arrivé et m’a ligoté ! Ma tête me faisait mal, ma queue me faisait mal et j’étais ligoté avec du fil de pêche.
Mais, ma malchance ne faisait commencée ! La grand-mère est sortie de l’armoire et a appelé les policiers. Et moi, le loup qui voulait juste aider une petite fille, je suis allé en prison.
Maintenant, vous savez la vérité.
-Caroline K.-A., 2011-02-08