​Chapter 9: "Master Panda of China"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT TAICHI
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熊猫    (xióng māo) panda
  • 我是熊猫师傅。
  • 你说得对，我是得注意了，要不然我的两只眼睛都快变成熊猫眼了。 You’re right. I do have to pay attention, otherwise my two eyes will soon turn into panda eyes.

必须    (bì xū) must
  • “必须” = to need [to do smth])，“不必” = do not need to
    那你必须尽可能找时间补充营养。= Then you must find time to make up for your sleep deficit as much as possible

(打)太极拳     (tài jí quán) [play] Tai Chi
  • 他们有的跳广场舞，有的打太极拳。
  • 我以为你喜欢做瑜伽，怎么对太极拳也有兴趣？
  • 有的高高兴兴地跳舞，有的排成队，慢慢地打太极拳。

动作    (dòng zuò) movement; action
  • 太极拳和瑜伽一样，不但对身体有好处，而且动作很美。
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CLASS INTERVIEW: interview your classmates. Do they think tai chi is for all ages? Have they ever tried tai chi? What's their opinion of it?

WRITE: write a story about Kung Fu Panda's journey to learn from the greatest tai chi master in the world.

WATCH: watch the video below, where a famous tai chi master performs some tai chi movements. Then, write a short description of the video.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 熊猫，必须，打太极拳，动作
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 熊猫好可爱啊！
  • 那你必须尽可能找时间补充营养。
  • 我以为你喜欢做瑜伽，怎么对太极拳也有兴趣？
  • 有的高高兴兴地跳舞，有的排成队，慢慢地打太极拳。
  • 太极拳和瑜伽一样，不但对身体有好处，而且动作很美。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about pandas.
  • Talk about Tai Chi.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 10: "The Occult Mysteries of Taichi"

HOW TO PAY ATTENTION
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注意    (zhù yì) attention
  • 我觉得如果想要身体健康，身材好，除了多运动以外，还应该注意饮食。
  • 注意饮食不等于减肥。
  • 要想身体好，在其他方面也要注意。

否则    (fǒu zé) otherwise
  • 否则 is used in a similar way to 要不然, but it's a little more formal, and comes across as more strongly worded. The consequence of 否则 is more serious/negative.
  • 你说得对，我必须得注意我的动作，否则我就不能活下去了。

成为    (chéng wéi) to become; to turn into
  • 这些早晨锻炼的人们，成为北京特别的“风景”，使这个城市显得非常有活力。
  • 要是注意打太极拳，你就能成为一个一万年都不死的人。
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structures:
  • 否则 
  • 成为

​SPEAK: discuss your eating habits and exercise routine. Do you need to pay more attention to what you eat and how you exercise? What will happen if you don't?

WRITE: imagine you experienced a health scare. From the perspective of your parents, write a letter to yourself expressing concern for your health, as well as giving advice on how to be healthier in the future. 

WRITE: write an advice column on the importance of living in a healthy way.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 注意，否则，成为
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: You're right. I do have to pay attention, otherwise my two eyes will soon turn into panda eyes.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 我觉得如果想要身体健康，除了多运动以外，还应该注意饮食。
  • 注意饮食不等于减肥。
  • 你说得对，我必须得注意我的动作，否则我就不能活下去了。​
  • 这些早晨锻炼的人们，成为北京特别的“风景“。
  • 要是注意打太极拳，你就能成为一个一万年都不死的人。
  • TARGET: no more than 2 mistakes, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about paying attention.
  • Discuss the importance of long-term health vs. instant gratification.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 11: "Secret Ritual in the Forbidden Palace"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT MUSEUMS
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博物馆    (bó wù guǎn) museum
  • 房东夫妻二人都已退休，女儿李文在博物馆工作，与父母住在一起。

出门    (chū mén) to go out [of the door]
  • 这一天早上丽莎正要出门，李文从房间走出来。

表演    (biǎo yǎn) to perform; to act; performance
  • 他们打得真棒，好像在表演一样。​​
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RESEARCH: research a famous museum of your choice. Write a detailed description of it, including photos.

SPEAK: discuss museums. What is the purpose of a museum? Why are museums important for human society? Do you have a favorite museum? Why or why not?

WRITE: think of a museum you would like to create. Explain your plans for the new museum in a letter to a potential investor.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 博物馆，出门，表演
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 房东夫妻二人都已退休，女儿李文在博物馆工作，与父母住在一起。
  • 这一天早上丽莎正要出门，李文从房间走出来。
  • 他们打得真棒，好像在表演一样。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about museums.
  • Talk about performances.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 12: "Death! Meeting God..."

HOW TO TALK ABOUT SLEEP HABITS
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熬夜    (áo yè) to stay up late or all night; to burn the midnight oil
  • 不吸烟，不喝酒，早睡早起，最好不要熬夜。
  • 别的都没问题，就是不熬夜我可做不到。

睡眠    (shuì mián) sleep
  • 那你必须尽可能找时间补充睡眠。= Then you must find time to make up for your sleep deficit as much as possible.

开夜车    (kāi yè chē) to burn the midnight oil; to work late into the night
  • 别的都没问题，就是不熬夜我可做不到。我晚上常常得开夜车准备考研究生。

熊猫眼    (xióng máo yān) Panda Eyes [i.e. dark circles under the eyes from exhaustion]
  • 你说得对，我是得注意了，否则我的两只眼睛都快变成熊猫眼了。= You’re right. I do have to pay attention, otherwise my two eyes will soon turn into panda eyes.
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CLASS INTERVIEW: interview your classmates about their sleep habits. Do they go to bed early? Or do they stay up very late? Do they feel tired during the day? How do they avoid getting 熊猫眼？Does their schoolwork impact their
sleep habits (and if so, how)? ​

SPEAK: discuss your sleep habits. Are they good? Why or why not? How can you cultivate better sleep habits?

SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • You and your partner are part of a support group for insomniacs.
  • You're the first ones to arrive for today's session. Tell each other about how you haven't been able to sleep lately. Explain why.
  • Can you rescue yourselves from your insomnia before it's too late?

WRITE: write a paragraph in response to this statement: "不吸烟，不喝酒，早睡早起，最好不要熬夜." 这些好的生活习惯，你都做得到吗？为什么是／否？

WRITE: write a short story about someone who stayed up night after night after night, until finally she... died from lack of sleep!
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 熬夜，睡眠，开夜车，熊猫眼​​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 不吸烟，不喝酒，早睡早起，最好不要熬夜。
  • 那你必须尽可能找时间补充睡眠。
  • 别的都没问题，就是不熬夜我可做不到。我晚上常常得开夜车准备考研究生。
  • 你说得对，我是得注意了，否则我的两只眼睛都快变成熊猫眼了。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about sleep habits.
  • Discuss healthy and unhealthy sleep practices.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #3: ACT 3 REVIEW

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Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​​Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Compare Tai Chi with other kinds of exercise (yoga, working out, etc).
    • Discuss healthy and unhealthy sleep habits.
    • Talk about paying attention.
    • Debate the importance of long-term health vs. instant gratification.​
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!