The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
is approaching, welcomed by all residents of sweltering Beijing except
perhaps for kids of schoolgoing age and their parents who have to enroll
them in school, buy them stationery, computers, text books and lunch
boxes. The listings below of websites, schools, cultural activities
and sports will help make going back to school a whole lot more fun
and free of mafan (hassles).
Expat School List:
Beijing Schools
Serving the Expatriate Community
INTERNET RESOURCES
Although the amount of junk on the Net may lead one to believe that
'www' stands for world wide wasteland, there are some sites that provide
good solid educational content for children. Here are a few good sites,
tried and tested by real teachers and real children. See www.beijingscene.com
for clickable links.
General
http://www.techlearning.com/content/reviews/articles/hotlist_curric.html
A tremendous list of various educational websites arranged by curriculum
subject: math, arts, English, science.
http://www.learnitontheweb.com
Information about home schooling for potential home educators can be
obtained free in a twice weekly newsletter called Learn it on the Web,
a review of the best online resources for parents, teachers, students
and home schoolers. Subscribe to Learn it on the Web at their website.
Math
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/dr.math/
Kids have a math question too difficult for the household abacus? Ask
Dr. Math is a searchable archive of mathematical terms, questions and
problems divided by grade level. As the the name implies, the tykes
can always ask Dr. Math mathematical questions by email.
http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~casey931/mega-math/mega
Math is a site belonging to The Los Alamos laboratory in the US. Beautifully
set up for those seeking mathematical wisdom, this sight will make you
understand why Los Alamos has gained a reputation as an open well of
knowledge from which all the world can drink.
The Natural Sciences
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Billed as "a learning center for young astronomers," Starchild provides
hours of middle school level, interactive lessons in astronomy. Starchild
has mirror sites in German and Italian.
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/homepage
Aimed at early high school aged kids, this site offers young astronomers
information and data from orbiting satellites and telescopes. The site
also features an email column called Ask a High Energy Astronomer, where
kids can have their questions about space answered.
http://www.yucky.com
Children of all ages will love and learn from "the yuckiest site on
the internet" which gives scientific and enjoyably presented answers
to those questions that kids like to ask but adults hate to answer,
like "Why does poop smell?" and "What are the comparative nutritional
value of different insects?"
Language and Arts
http://plaza.interport.net/kids_space/
Activities to improve writing and visual art skills and help for kids
who want to learn to make their own homepages. The site also features
an email pen pal service.
http://www.cyberjacques.com
Cyberjacques entertains children ages 7-10 with educational math and
word games.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Extramural activities are another option for extending education beyond
the classroom. Although the options in Beijing for expatriate kids are
limited, the capital offers some learning experiences difficult to find
outside of China, such as calligraphy and martial arts.
Arts and Crafts
Beijing Xicheng Culture and Art School
Xicheng Cultural Center, Xicheng District
Tel: 6617-1614 Contact Mrs. Yan
Singing, music and arts and crafts classes. Usually in Mandarin.
Five Colors Earth Craft Center
10 South Dongzhimen Lu , Dongcheng District
(First floor of the Youth Palace)
Tel: 6415-3839
A craft center where children and adults can learn the arts of making
paper, pottery and tie-dyeing.
Calligraphy classes
Beijing International Language Training Center
5 Zhonghuannanlu, Wangjing Chaoyang District
Tel: 6436-1897
Martial Arts
Martial Arts Community Club
Self-defense, taijiquan and other traditional fighting arts. Contact
Derrick Cope
Tel: 139-133-4907
Ruyi Martial Arts School
The only gong fu school officially approved by the Beijing city government.
Tel: 6257-1596, 6258-7485
Music Lessons
Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Center
40 Liangmaqiao Lu Chaoyang Qu
Tel: 6466-3311
Classes in playing Eastern and Western instruments, taught by instructors
from conservatories around the world.
ESPECIALLY FOR EXPAT KIDS
The following activities and clubs are associated with the Beijing Sports
and Recreation Council which organizes sporting and cultural activities
for expatriate children. For more information email expatsportrec@hotmail.com.
BADMINTON - GIRLS
Susan Hope 6532-4236 or hopefamily@public.east.cn.net
BALLET AND OTHER DANCE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AND
ADULTS
Kempinski Hotel Pulse Health Club
6465-3388 Ext. 5722
BALLET - JEAN WONG SCHOOL
Western Academy - Zhanna Clery
6431-7856 or zoclery@ns.wab.senet.gov.cn
BASEBALL - BEIJING LITTLE LEAGUE
Larry Fuel 6532-4953 or fuell@public.bta.net.cn
Brian Bedard 6438-0141 or bedard@public.bta.net.cn
BASKETBALL - WINTER LEAGUE
Dave Goetz dgoetz@isb.bj.edu.cn
ICE HOCKEY - YOUTH AND ADULT TEAMS
Denis Nicole 6435-9398 or mnicole@hotmail.com
Marcus Benz 6594-2270
SOCCER - BEIJING YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB
Paul Hope (Grades K-5) 6532-4236 or
hopefam@public.east.cn.net
Denis Nicole (Grades 6-12) 6435-9398
mnicole@hotmail.com
GYMNASTICS
Western Academy - Zhanna Clery
6431-7856 or zoclery@ns.wab.senet.gov.cn
LANGUAGE CLASSES - MALAYSIAN AND SPANISH
Western Academy - Zhanna Clery
6431-7856 or zoclery@ns.wab.senet.gov.cn
ROLLER HOCKEY
Brian Bedard 6438-0141 or bedard@public.bta.net.cn
SCOUTS BOYS
Arrietta Clauss 6940-2593
SCOUTS GIRLS
Irene Hendricks 8046-1993 or ithendri@public.east.cn.net
SOFTBALL - PONYTAIL GIRLS LEAGUE
Joe Chan 6592-7505 or elisa@public.east.cn.net
SWIMMING - 21ST CENTURY INTERNATIONAL SWIM
TEAM
Cindy McNeil 6595-4649
Steve Chapman 8046-2802
Tao Wen (Chinese Speaking) 6466-3311 Ext. 3186
SWIMMING - DRAGON FIRE SWIM TEAM
Kevin Hua kevinh@ihw.com.cn
See Doctor Doctor for
back-to-school health advice.
