Yinghua Academy receives STARTALK grant for summer camps

Academy received US$99,979 from the National Foreign Language Center STARTALK Program to develop two Chinese immersion summer camp classes.  The two-week camps will feature a total immersion setting providing students with opportunities to learn key vocabulary and skills through activities in a fun, "hands-on," camp environment. Activities focus on the children's Chinese language practice process: interact with other students, express needs, and understand instructions. Students are divided by age group and prior language ability.  No prior foreign language experience is necessary. Contact the school for registration and need-based scholarship information.  Academy received US$99,979 from the National Foreign Language Center STARTALK Program to develop two Chinese immersion summer camp classes.  The two-week camps will feature a total immersion setting providing students with opportunities to learn key vocabulary and skills through activities in a fun, "hands-on," camp environment. Activities focus on the children's Chinese language practice process: interact with other students, express needs, and understand instructions. Students are divided by age group and prior language ability.  No prior foreign language experience is necessary. Contact the school for registration and need-based scholarship information. 
 
The two camps offered are:
Abacus for Kids: Learning Chinese Language and Culture through Math Activities (for students entering Kindergarten through entering 3rd Grade in 2010-2011)
Students will explore math with the abacus (the world's oldest calculator!) and math games and activities. This fun and interactive camp uses real life experiences such banking, shopping and going to a carnival to help students learn Chinese. JUNE 21 through JULY 2, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (afternoon care available)

Earth, Wind and Fire: Learning Chinese Language through Science Discovery (for students entering Kindergarten through entering 7th Grade in 2010-2011)
Students will be introduced to meteorology and weather, biology and ecology, and geography. Students will also interact with technology to compare Minnesota's ecology, habitat and climate with that of Yinghua Academy's sister school in Inner Mongolia, China. The science camp culminates with a field trip to the Science Museum of Minnesota. JULY 12 through JULY 23, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (afternoon care available)
 
About Yinghua Academy
Yinghua Academy is the first Chinese immersion charter public school in the U.S. and the first Chinese immersion school in the Midwest.  As the first school of its kind in the Midwest, Yinghua Academy is a national leader in Mandarin Chinese immersion education.  Yinghua Academy is a bilingual, tuition-free, public charter school with an international perspective.

The mission of Yinghua Academy is to provide a challenging and comprehensive learning environment that will nurture students' natural inquisitiveness and will prepare them to be engaged and productive global citizens.  Students develop intellectual curiosity and critical-thinking skills as well as a broad and deep knowledge in language arts, mathematics, world and American history and culture, science and fine arts.

For more information, call 612-788-9095 or visit: http://www.yinghuaacademy.org.