Judy makes another Clue “kill” today. She thinks the game is down to her and one other player. The name she got was the name of the person who tried to “hit” her early in the game in the nurse’s office. Since there are two left, whoever “gets” the other player wins. Judy has a decided advantage, knowing who has her name and the site, having avoided it once. His site is tough. It’s in an area of the school where Judy never goes, so it’s going to be tricky.
Judy starts a new grade level of instruction today. She’s had the 7th graders, but now has the 8th graders. The Middle School is starting a new trimester (Elementary and HS are on a regular semester schedule, MS has a trimester schedule, very confusing, especially if you cross over like Judy does). Her initial impression of the kids is a good one. We’ll see how they do as the semester progresses.
BHSFIC is sponsoring a program on Ancient Chinese Instruments and Music this afternoon. One of my students volunteers at “The Temple of Heaven”, a nearby historical site. Part of the temple site is the Divine Music Administration (the Ancient Chinese Imperial Musical Museum). They do research on ancient Chinese instruments, and analysis on the scrolls where music was written that was played when the temple was built in the 1400’s.
Since I’m making an extra trip over to the campus today, I’m going to go early and visit “Tea Street.” It’s near BHSFIC, so it seems like a logical time to visit. It’s supposedly 1 ½ kilometers full of over 1000 tea shops. I’m looking for Chinese stuff to bring home for Xmas, so it seemed like a good place to visit. I find it on the map, find the nearest train station, and head out. When I get off the train, I start walking and eventually arrive in the area. Like most of Beijing, there’s no clue what’s near you, and right around the next corner, I was in the middle of it.
They weren’t kidding. The area was one tea shop after another. I found some things that may work, took pictures, purchased a sample or two, and headed over to school for the program.
The music program was great. The performers had a huge professional sound set-up, television cameras everywhere, and were wearing traditional costumes. They demonstrated each of the instruments, and then performed several ensemble numbers. We also saw some of the scrolls they were analyzing. Before and after the show, students (and teachers) were allowed to try out the instruments. As usual, respect for a performer goes up, when you experience the techniques involved first-hand.
Students getting help playing the instruments.
Pan-pipe demonstration
