​Chapter 5: "Love Is the Answer"

HOW TO OFFER ADVICE USING THE "地" STRUCTURE
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的 vs. 得 vs. 地        The structural particle "de" has THREE FORMS in modern Chinese.

的 = de = 【description + 的 + NOUN】
  • 妈妈给我们做的蛋糕
  • 我的卧室

得 = de = 【VERB/ADJ + 得 + description】
  • 做菜做得很好
  • 高兴得跳起來

地 = de = 【description + 地 + VERB】    
  • 地 (de) links an adverb or adverbial to a following verb.
  • An adjective, an adverb, or a set phrase can serve as an adverbial if followed by 地 (de).
  • 他高兴地唱着歌走回宿舍。= He sang happily on his way back to the dorm.
    • 高兴 (gāoxìng) is used to describe the manner of his singing.
  • 他高兴得唱起歌来了。= He was so happy that he started to sing.
    • 高兴 (gāoxìng) is the cause of his singing.

Sentences:
  • 小红，别哭，我们几个星期就回来，你好好儿地学中文，别乱跑。
  • 走吧，我们上车以后，再慢慢儿地聊吧。
  • 李友，你的中文说得真好。
  • 谢谢。是因为王朋教得好。
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structure: 
  • description + 的 + NOUN
  • VERB/ADJ + 得 + description
  • description + 地 + VERB

SPEAK: Offer each other advice about your studies using the "地" structure.

WRITE: write an advice column on the topic of living well. Use the "地" structure.
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 的 vs. 得 vs. 地​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule (in English): Explain the difference in usage between the "Three De's": 的, 得, 地. Give examples of each.
  • Translate: Dad, Mom, let me introduce you... This is my classmate Li You. (de)
  • Translate: Drive carefully. Have fun happily! (de)
  • Translate: Work well on studying your English, don't go running around. (de)
  • Detective (find and fix the mistakes): 李友，你得中文说地真好。
  • Detective (find and fix the mistakes): 我们上车以后，再慢慢儿的聊吧。
  • TARGET: no more than 2 grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 小红，别哭，我们几个星期就回来，你好好儿地学中文，别乱跑。
  • 我们上车以后，再慢慢儿地聊吧。
  • 李友，你的中文说得真好。
  • 谢谢。是因为王朋教得好。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Use the “地 (de)” structure to offer advice.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 6: "The Path to the Dark Side"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT GRANDPARENTS
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爷爷    (yé ye) paternal grandfather [father's dad]    

奶奶    (năi nai) paternal grandmother [father's mom]    

外公    (wài gōng) maternal grandfather [mother's dad]

外婆    (wài pó) maternal grandmother [mother's mom]

Sentences:
  • 爷爷，奶奶在烤鸭店等我们呢！
  • 妈妈的妈妈我叫外婆。妈妈的爸爸我叫外公。
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FAMILY RESEARCH: check out this cool tool for Chinese family terms. Enter your relationship with a relative and find out what the Chinese word for that person is! 

SPEAK: tell your partner about your grandparents. Make sure to specify which side of the family they're on.

DRAW: Create a family tree. Label all the members of your extended family, including your grandparents.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):​
  • 爷爷，奶奶，外婆，外公
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • ​爷爷，奶奶在烤鸭店等我们呢！
  • 妈妈的妈妈我叫外婆。妈妈的爸爸我叫外公。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Introduce the people in your family, including your paternal AND maternal grandparents.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 7: "Mao Mao, I Am Your..."

HOW TO GREET GUESTS, FRIENDS, OR FAMILY
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叔叔    (shū shu) "uncle" [respectful address]

阿姨    (ā yí) "aunt" [respectful address]

瘦    (shòu) thin [adj]    

好像    (hǎo xiàng) "it seems like..."    

你好像瘦了点儿    It seems like you're a little thinner. [i.e. you lost some weight]

Sentences:
  • 叔叔，阿姨，你们好。
  • 小朋，你好像瘦了点儿。
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​​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue between two family members who are meeting again after a long time apart. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!

​WRITE: ​family reunion time! Write a scene where your wife and kids meet the rest of your family (pictured below) for the first time.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 叔叔，阿姨，瘦，好像
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Culture: List the names for a Chinese extended family, including grandparents, uncles, and aunts. Define them in Chinese.
  • Translate: It seems like you're a little thinner.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 叔叔，阿姨，你们好。
  • 小朋，你好像瘦了点儿。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following role-play:
  • Introduce your family, including your uncles and aunts.
  • Ask about someone’s health (in the Chinese way!).
  • Respectfully strangers that are about the age of your own parents.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 8: "May the Force Be With You"

HOW TO SAY GOODBYE TO DEPARTING FRIENDS OR FAMILY
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一路平安    (yí lù píng ān) have a pleasant journey; bon voyage
  • NOTE: this is a 成语, a Chinese four-character idiomatic expression. See this link for a detailed origin of this phrase.
    • 一 ＝ entire, throughout（一直）
    • 路 ＝ road
    • 平 ＝ peace（和平）
    • 安 ＝ safe（安全）​
  • Example: "祝你们一路平安。"

成语 (chéng yǔ) a traditional Chinese idiom (usually composed of four characters)
  • Chengyu are a special kind of Chinese idiom that are rooted in known historical references--that is, they come from classical Chinese sources like poems, myths, literature, and history.
  • Chengyu are prevalent at higher levels of Chinese, especially Chinese writing. Chengyu are considered the collected wisdom of the Chinese culture. Through the insights learned from Chengyu, you'll discover the experiences, moral concepts, and admonishments of older generations of Chinese.
  • Each of the four characters in the Chengyu has a specific meaning, which when added together make up the meaning of the whole idiom. The meaning of a Chengyu usually surpasses the sum of the meanings carried by the four characters, as Chengyu are often intimately linked with the myth, story or historical fact from which they were derived.
  • See 1) this link and 2) this link for more info.
  • Chengyu you may have encountered before include "一路平安"，“名胜古迹”，“马马虎虎”，“独一无二”，“塞翁失马”，“乱七八糟”，and "自相矛盾."

"action 1 + 的时候，action 2” = WHEN action 1, action 2"
  • In a sentence of the pattern “V1 的时候 (de shíhou),V2...,” the second action and the first action take place simultaneously.
  • 走的时候别忘了带些钱。
  • 妹妹看短信的时候，一边看一边笑。

"action 1 + 以后, action 2" = AFTER action 1, action 2
  • In a sentence of the pattern “V1 以后 (yǐhòu), V2...,” the second action takes place after the first one.
  • 他走了以后，才想起来忘了带钱。
  • 我到中国以后要吃北京烤鸭。
  • 到了北京以后，别忘了给我们发个电子邮件。

走吧    (zǒu ba) "let's go"
  • 走吧，我们上车以后，再慢慢儿地聊吧。
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CHENGYU RESEARCH: read 1) this link and 2) this link for more info on Chinese Chengyu. Write a paragraph summarizing a few things you learned.

CHENGYU EXAMPLES: learn one new Chengyu. Write a paragraph in English explaining the origin and meaning of this Chengyu, and then write 3 example sentences in Chinese.

WRITE: ​write a romantic farewell letter to the one you love, who is going to Beijing for a semester.

TRAIN: write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structures:​
  • action 1 + 的时候，action 2
  • action 1 + 以后, action 2

​​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue between two friends at the airport. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • Partner A is leaving on a (long) trip.
  • Partner B just came to say goodbye.​
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 一路平安，...的时候，以后，走吧，成语
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule (in English): explain the difference between "...的时候" vs "...以后." Give examples of each structure.
  • Rule (in English): explain what a "成语" is and describe the significance of “成语” in Chinese. Give an example.
  • Translate: Don't forget to take some money with you when you leave.
  • Translate: Don't forget to email us after you arrive in Beijing.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 祝你们一路平安。
  • 走吧，我们上车以后，再慢慢儿地聊吧。
  • 到了北京以后，别忘了给我们发个电子邮件。
  • 走的时候，别忘了带些钱。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following role-play:
  • Say goodbye to departing friends or family.
  • ​Wish your friend a safe journey.
  • Remind your friend to keep in touch.
  • Remind someone to get going.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 9: "The Flight of the Falcon"

BOOK 2: LEVELS 11-20 REVIEW
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 MINIBOSS #2: ACT 2 REVIEW

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Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​Perform the following role-play:
    • Introduce your extended relatives (i.e. grandparents, uncles, aunts).
    • Ask after your friend's health (she looks a little thin!).
    • ​Wish your friend a safe journey.
    • Use the “地 (de)” structure to offer advice for her trip.
    • Remind your friend to keep in touch.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!