Extracurricular Courses for Kids

Contest: The AMC 8 is a contest for students in grades 8 and below, hosted annually by the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) to students all over the United States. The AMC 8 provides an opportunity for students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. AMC 8 practices are available at https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/AMC_8_Problems_and_Solutions.

Instructor: Jefferson is a Westwood High School student. A few examples of his achievements in math competition are:

• USAJMO Qualifier, USAJMO Awardee
• AMC 8 Perfect Score and AIME Qualifier
• MATHCOUNTS – 1st Place Individual, Chapter Invitational Round
• Math Kangaroo National 1st Place

Jefferson has taught the AMC 8 Class at Westwood Chinese School since 2022 and has been actively involved in math mentoring and tutoring activities through RSM Foundation. In the meantime, he assists the Coach at the Westwood Thurston Middle School in preparing the school team for the MATHCOUNTS Competition.

Class Description: Jefferson would like to share his first-hand experience and help Westwood Chinese School students who are interested in pursuing higher achievements in math competitions with his proven strategies.

Prerequisite: The students need to score at least 12 in order to get the most benefit from the class. Please try the 2022 AMC 8 Problems.

 

Instructor: Ms. Ren Li holds M.A.T. degree from Tufts University Education Department. She has years of Chinese calligraphy teaching experiences either on site or online. In recent years, she has been invited to teach Chinese calligraphy lessons at MIT and Sharon Library as a guest speaker. She presented Chinese calligraphy related topics on workshops at NECLTA (New England Chinese Language Teacher Association) and CLTA (Chinese Language Teacher Association). She is a current board member of a nationwide Chinese calligraphy education organization (ASSCE). Her calligraphy work ( majorly in Yan style 颜体) has been exhibited on Asian Art Work Exhibition at Seoul, South Korea and the Crane Library at Quincy, MA. During Lunar New Year of 2023, she demonstrated Chinese calligraphy work at Newton Art Center, MA.

 

Ren Li’s work at the exhibition at Seoul

 

Class Description: Students (7+ years old students with well discipline) will explore different forms (篆书，隶书, 楷书, 行书 )of Chinese calligraphy, but majorly learn and practice the Yan Style （颜体楷书) 。The class will integrate the Chinese culture, history, and the language knowledge to the calligraphy instruction. Students not only explore the culture and the language, but also nurture and improve their own aesthetics appreciation skills as well.

 

Class Material: Please prepare brush (兼毫)； ink（墨）; box paper (有格毛边纸或宣纸)，project paper （写作品用宣纸），pad (毡垫)。 Other project related material will be informed in class.

The Chinese dance class allows students to work on their technique and posture while learning new styles of dancing. Students will get the opportunity to represent WCS and perform at several large events in and around the Boston area.

Computer Science and Coding for Beginners helps students in Grade 5-9 to get started with Java programming and computer science fundamentals to solve real ACSL contest problems. Students have the option to participate 4 competitions in ACSL Junior Division in the second semester.

Prerequisite:

• Pre-algebra;
• Experience with block-based coding, such as Scratch.

 

The Chinese drawing class will teach cartooning and sketch.

葫芦丝是一种云南傣族乐器，它是由葫芦制成的管身和吹嘴、以及若干根调音洞所组成。葫芦丝有着独特的音色和演奏技巧，能够表达丰富的情感和意境。在葫芦丝课程中，学生将学习葫芦丝的基本知识、演奏技巧和一级和二级曲目各一个。授课教师武思杰。

The hulusi is a traditional musical instrument of the Dai people in Yunnan, made from a gourd body and mouthpiece, with several tuning holes. The hulusi has a unique timbre and playing technique, capable of expressing rich emotions and imagery.

Course Content:

• Basic Knowledge: Learn the origin, structure, and characteristics of the hulusi.
• Playing Techniques: Master the basic blowing methods and fingerings.
• Repertoire Learning: Learn one piece each from the first and second levels.

Instructor: Wu Sijie

Join our martial arts team to learn a variety of valuable skills, from performance forms to self-defense training. You may get the opportunity to represent WCS and perform at several large events in and around the Boston area, including the Westwood Chinese Cultural Night.

Please click here to see more details of the class and the instructor.

 

This weekly, one-hour program helps the student gain the essential skills necessary to play table tennis. It advances the student’s speed, power, spin, stamina, and prowess in the games. It also improves the students’ awareness of health and mental qualities, while enriching his/her academic life.

Please click here to see more details of the class.

 

朗诵表演艺术班，可以系统化学习朗诵的地方，没有门槛，能听懂中文就可以。学习分为三个阶段，初级班：初步了解朗诵技巧，学会大声音，有语气的当众表演，逐步学会用中文表达自己的意思，主要目标是培养自信心和表演能力，学习时间三期，大约一年半，学习内容，口齿训练，气息训练，四声训练，儿童诗训练：中级班，时长大约两年，教学目标，从容表演，具有一定的理解能力，表现能力，背诵能力，分析作品能力，提高口语交流能力，学习内容，难度较大的儿童诗，古诗，古词，古代寓言，故事，寓言；高级班，时长不限，学习目标：具有比较专业的表现力，能够胜任比较正式的演出任务，从容自信，有良好台风，有较强的中文口语表达能力，阅读能力，理解能力，与人交往能力等综合素质。 授课老师郭俐媛，师从著名儿童教育家、故事爷爷孙敬修老师的唯一嫡传弟子肖君老师，得到曹灿、周正，连德之，瞿弦和，方菊芬等多位朗诵表演艺术大师的倾情指导。承袭孙派讲故事艺术风格，是国内资深语言艺术培训教师，并长期担任全国性语言类大赛评委。定居波士顿后，主持过各类大型活动；并参与了多部话剧的演出；成立了郭俐媛语言艺术学校，培养了一批优秀的朗诵小演员，对传承中国文化，提高中文学习兴趣有着深远的影响

Beginner Class:

• Goals: To gain a preliminary understanding of recitation techniques, learn how to project your voice and perform with expression in public, and gradually learn to express your ideas in Chinese. The main goals are to build confidence and performance skills.
• Duration: Three terms, approximately one and a half years.
• Content: Diction training, breath control, tonal training, and children’s poetry.

Intermediate Class:

• Goals: To perform with composure, develop a certain level of comprehension, expression, memorization, and work analysis skills, and improve oral communication abilities.
• Duration: Approximately two years.
• Content: More challenging children’s poetry, ancient poems, classical Chinese lyrics, ancient fables, and stories.

Advanced Class:

• Goals: To achieve a relatively professional level of performance, be capable of handling formal performance tasks, be confident and poised on stage, and have strong Chinese oral expression, reading, comprehension, and interpersonal skills.
• Duration: No set time limit.
• Instructor: Guo Liyuan

 

Guo Liyuan studied under Xiao Jun, the only direct disciple of the renowned children’s educator and storyteller Sun Jingxiu. She has received guidance from many recitation performance arts masters such as Cao Can, Zhou Zheng, Lian Dezhi, Qu Xianhe, and Fang Jiufen. Guo Liyuan has inherited the storytelling art style of Sun’s school and is a senior language arts training teacher in China. She has long served as a judge for national language competitions. After settling in Boston, she has hosted various large-scale events, participated in multiple stage play performances, and established the Guo Liyuan Language Arts School, cultivating a group of outstanding young reciters. Her work has had a profound impact on promoting Chinese culture and enhancing interest in learning Chinese.

魔方课旨在教授学生如何快速和高效地解决魔方，同时培养他们的逻辑思维、空间感知和解决问题的能力。无论您是初学者还是有一定基础的爱好者，我们的课程将带您从基础技巧到高级方法，全面掌握魔方的解法。 老师采用互动式教学，通过演示、指导和答疑，提高学生的学习兴趣和理解能力。授课教师 Maxim Lin。

The Rubik’s Cube Course is designed to teach students how to solve the Rubik’s Cube quickly and efficiently while developing their logical thinking, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, our course will guide you from basic techniques to advanced methods, ensuring you master the art of solving the Rubik’s Cube.

Our instructor uses interactive teaching methods, including demonstrations, guidance, and Q&A sessions, to enhance students’ interest and understanding.

Instructor: Maxim Lin

水彩绘画是建立在基础绘画之上的一门艺术课程。课程会在继续阐述各种基础绘画技巧的同时，又增加讲述色彩在绘画作品中的功能，课程展示色彩的运用、搭配、和调制，水彩画是依赖色彩、水、和纸溶混一起所产生的效应来表现作者意图的。本课程要求有基础绘画的学历，适合6-8岁的儿童及有兴趣的成人。注册后，会收到通知，自己准备水彩绘画的所有学习用品。

• 铅笔和橡皮
• 水彩纸
• 粗线Sharpe or Marker
• 水彩
• 水彩刷
• Paper Tissue
• 报纸

 

The Chinese yo-yo is a widely popular performance art and toy that has been featured on the Westwood Chinese Cultural Night several times. It will be a fun and very interactive course that students of all agest will enjoy.

Minimal Age: 8 or with approval from the instructor.

 

Please see the registration form for the detailed list of courses. Some courses offered by the Westwood Chinese school are not listed here.