International Studies Program
International Studies
Introduction
In 1997 and 1998, two teachers from Putney Central School (Gerry Gatz and Kathleen Bartlett) visited China and Japan through UVM’s Asian Studies Outreach Program. That experienced changed their perspective on the world — and on teaching.
Working alongside and through the school’s PTO, an International Studies program that, since 1999,has conducted all-school investigations of the arts, religions, culture, language, and customs of areas of the world far away from rural Vermont. The following represents a brief record of international studies at PCS.
China (2007–2008)
We had the pleasure of having two Chinese teachers help us learn about their country. During the first half of the year we had Zhou Ziyan who came to us from Shandong Province. In the last half we had Xia Ying who also came from the same province. Although he had lived in a major city, Ziyan could relate to the rural aspect of Putney life because he had grown up in a rural section of China. Ying did an amazing job teaching some of the seventh and eighth graders the Dragon Dance for Chinese New Year. She also helped our Chinese teacher, Ping Gao, teach Chinese in the Middle School.
Korea (2006–2007)
We had Kim Sohee come to us from Seoul, South Korea. She taught Korean culture and traditions to the K-6 students. She also taught Korean drumming and dancing to some of the Middle School students. There was a wonderful performance at the end of the year showcasing what she had taught them.
Japan (2005–2006)
Sakura Ayoko joined the Putney Central staff for the whole school year. She was a music teacher in Japan, so brought those skills with her and helped to enhance our music program. She also taught about the culture, music, and literature of her country.
Thailand (2004–2005)
This school year we enjoyed having Tik (we cannot remember her full Thai name) We celebrated the festival of light known as Loy Krathong by floating pumpkins filled with flowers down Sacketts Brook. She also taught Thai folk dancing and music, as well as literature and culture.
China (2003–2004)
We studied China (with help from Lu Yan jie, a teacher from Beijing, China) and Chinese language(as taught by teachers Gao Ping from Beijing and Yuan Hsiu from Taiwan, whose presence at PCS
was underwritten by a grant from the Freeman Foundation). Lu Yan jie was with us for 5 months. In Beijing, Yan Jie teaches English. At PCS, she taught Chinese culture and history and some Chinese language to students in all grades from kindergarten through 8th. Even the youngest children learned about games Chinese kids play, foods they eat, and what they do during their school and after-school time.
Yan jie worked with our new Chinese language teachers to teach fifth- through eighth-graders a language very difficult for westerners to grasp. By the time our fifth- through eighth-graders had finished the academic year, some were able to do math activities given to them in Chinese.
Towards the end of the year, Yan jie helped 7th and 8th graders construct a 30 foot dragon puppet and over 140 kites.
Thailand (2002-2003)
A visiting Thai teacher named Nattanan Lengluan led PCS in a 6-month residency. She singlehandedly gave our K-8 students a good grasp of the culture, language, and traditions of Thailand. Nattanan culminated her stay with us by producing a “Thai Culture Night” in which more than 500 parents and community members saw us perform traditional Thai songs, dances, and games.
As part of PCS’s study of Thailand, we again celebrated Loy Krathong, a harvest festival in which the people thank the rivers for the life that water gives all plants and animals. Students built boats made of pumpkin shells and decorated with foods and flowers.
We began Loy Krathong day by convening in the gymnasium. Some children wore traditional Thai costume. We walked in procession to the brook that runs through the school property. A representative from each class put that class’s boat into the water and said words of thanks to the brook and to all of the water of the world. On one of the most beautiful November days in memory, we watched our gifts to the brook — and to all water — float away.
Click here to download a pdf presentation about Putney Central School’s Acclaimed new International Studies Program
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