• McIlvaine hosts Camp Ni Hao to further Chinese immersion

• The hallways at J. Ralph McIlvaine Early Childhood Center were filled with the sounds of children chattering and singing while teachers instructed on Wednesday. What makes these otherwise average occurrences unique is that all of the chattering, singing and instruction are being conducted entirely in Mandarin.

• SARAH BARBANIncoming first graders at McIlvaine Early Childhood Center’s immersion camp, Camp Ni Hao, make a paper dragon dance in their physical activity class

• By Sarah Barban
  sarah.barban@doverpost.com
  @SarahDoverPost
  Posted Jul. 26, 2013 @ 11:07 amMagnolia, Del.  —

  The hallways at J. Ralph McIlvaine Early Childhood Center were filled with the sounds of children chattering and singing while teachers instructed on Wednesday. What makes these otherwise average occurrences unique is that all of the chattering, singing and instruction are being conducted entirely in Mandarin.

  This week McIlvaine hosted Camp Ni Hao, a camp designed to help rising first graders who participated in McIlvaine’s Chinese immersion program last year hone their skills before they begin their second year of Mandarin at either W.B. Simpson or Allen Frear elementary schools. The camp also offered incoming kindergartens an introduction to Mandarin, prior to the start of the school year.

  McIlvaine started its mandarin program last school year and so far has had great success, said Principal Sherry Kijowski.

Read more: http://www.doverpost.com/article/20130726/NEWS/130729837/1004/NEWS#ixzz2aYOzCrki