When some of us went to the class for lesson i went to the math class. When the teacher ask them to get into groups they will move into the groups very quickly. My buddy told me that the ones who get the highest score will sit at the front and the lower score will be behind so whenever there is a group work, there will always be  people who is strong and not so strong at  the subject in the group . I think this is a good way to help the students when they have a group discussion. As when discussing, those who understand can guide the others that do not really get it. But i wonder if the strongest are sat in front, will they be an be able to handle the stress of maintaining at that level. I also wonder if him/her grades suddenly drop and have to sit at the back. Will they be able to handle the stress. Therefore, this shows the pros and cons of using grades for sitting arrangement. 

we also learnt how to make dumplings today right before lunch. our china buddies taught us the basics of folding the dumpling. we start with sticking the middle together, followed by folding in the sides then sealing up the dumpling while keeping it arched inwards. this was a unique experience as it is my first time learning to make dumplings and i dont often get to make them often in singapore either, as there isnt many festivals where by dumplings are eaten as celebration. one of the festivals dumplings are eaten in  is 冬至, which isnt really celebrated by my friends or family as the chinese culture do not 重視 cultural activities. im am glad to have been able to experience this dumpling making activity along with my china buddy, since it also gave me a chance to further bond with them.

Q1. today in the school, I learnt that the activities they planned for us is chinese culture related like Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting & wrapping of the dumplings. For chinese calligraphy, we had a famous chinese calligraphy to teach us about it like 横,竖,撇,捺,折,勾 and how we should draw it. For paper cutting, we had a 奶奶 to teach us how to cut the paper, she showed me on how to cut one of the petals and let me cut the rest. For wrapping the dumpling, we learned the steps on folding the dumpling. 

Q2. In Beijing school , they practice doing the traditional stuff ( like chinese calligraphy) in school but in Singapore, we don’t really practice the traditional stuff. 

Q3. I enjoy going to the supermarket today as we get to experience how it is like to be like in Beijing’s supermarket, there is like food “street” and chairs and table for people to eat at. when a worker from supermarket told us we could eat the ice cream before paying, i was shocked as I was thinking “wouldn’t anyone eat and throw it away?” then she said that there are CCTVs everywhere and it had face recognition so it would be hard for people to eat and not pay. 

2. One difference that i see today was the toilet of the school that we went to. In singapore, all of the toilets have doors to not let people invade our privacy. But in china not having doors are really normal to them. We singaporean find it really weird. Another difference that i see is the front boards that they are using. In singapore we use white boards to teach while in china, they still uses black board to teach which i found that it  was really interesting. 

3. One thing that i really appreciate today is the school that we went to. I really appreciate the effort that they put in to conduct activities for us and make it really fun and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the time spend with my buddy and getting to know more about their school. I found the technology at the supermarket really interesting like how they actually thought of the idea to have a automatic machine where u can buy things online and the people in the shop will help u take the things and put it in a bag then place it on the machine and it will then be on top of our head and moving towards the place where then people will help to transport then to your place. 

Also the Hema supermarket allowed me to look at another level of technology. They trusted their customers and they knew exactly how to handle those who break it. It would be more interesting of we were able to pay without cash. I think that Singapore is able to follow this supermarket since i feel that Singaporeans can be trusted too. Because of the strict laws we have, i dont think any Singaporeans would want to go against it. 

1. I learnt about the traditional Chinese culture for example Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting. During chinese calligraphy, I learnt from  赵善正 master that in calligraphy there is different strokes to it. During paper cutting, i learnt that they treated the culture so seriously until they have a cca for that.  

2. We visited a neighbourhood school. I attended their science lesson. They held experiment in classes which is different from Singapore. In Singapore, we have laboratory to do experiment. I find it dangerous to do experiments in class.

3. I was inspired by how the students staying in the hostel and not meeting their families for 4 days. They have to stay in the hostel as they could not go home due to far distance from school to house.