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Yu Jiao Long Group Member: Wang Yan-Bo
When I was in 4th grade I joined the group preparing internet material for the Cyberfair competition. Since then I become even busier. The topic we work on is FongTian Jade. At the beginning I was very surprised at why Taiwan has this kind of rare jade. After a while I got used to it.
There are 8 people in our team, buddying up in 4 groups of 2. I'm with Lu XueRu and we were in charge of the general introduction to Fong Tian . From the web we got lots of information which we made into a powerpoint presentation. But then the school suddenly changed the computers and all the materials we had worked so hard to collect was gone. So we had to start all over again. Fortunately the teacher gave us some material. Otherwise who knows what would have happened! After that some classmates were messing around and they deleted everything. Again. We had no choice but to do this all a third time! What bad luck!
Of all the times we went to Fong Tian for interviews I'll always remember one trip. That time 1 of our classmates couldn't come and we left without them. We went to talk with 3 men and they had lots of experience. So we asked those men this question. "Were all the jade processing factories opened by local people and can you tell us the steps in mining?" One man answered us. "No. Some were opened by outsiders." He contined, "If you ask me how many factories were running in the heyday I'd say 70-80." Then he said, "Obtaining jade has really 2 steps. First you need an expert to locate where the jade is. If you find a large amount of jade, you need to apply. It's "A" class. At the time we'd sell it for 10 NT. Then, if it was lighter with black spots it's class "B". At that time it was sold for 4 NT." That afternoon, we also went to BaiBao Stream to look for jade. We found some jade and had lots of fun. Afterward that classmate said "Hey, let's go to ILan next." Then he said, "No, maybe let's just stay at home." Then he said, "Let's just forget about time." And everyone else just got furious with him.
learned a lot from this project. One thing was that a beautiful glowing piece of jade came from just a normal-looking piece of rock. So I realized that what we think of as jade is only made possible because of processing. Another thing was that on this tiny island of Taiwan we have really beautiful jade. I also learned what kind of interview method works well, and how to use a computer system. My typing is faster. Even though this was really hard work it's worthwhile from all I learned.
I want to thank Teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng, and School Director Chen Ci-Fang and my mother. I thank them for teaching me how to use a computer, taking us to do interviews, and teaching us how to do a report. So, I need to use these skills well and not let them down.
I feel I am very lucky to have a chance to join this exhibition. After a semester I understand much more about how to use computers. Not only do I type faster, but I know how to do powerpoint. I've learned more than others learned when they just took a computer class. Each time I go to do interviews I'm excited and I gain a lot.
I feel our teacher really did a good job teaching us. The teacher was always on time and let us have lots of practice. I hope our group can win. Maybe in the future we'll have another chance to join the exhibition and I'd love that.
Name: Wang Yan-Bo
English name: Alex
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Birthdate: 1997, Oct. 30
Hobbies: piano, bicycling, playing Go
Skill: Piano
Blood Type: O
Email: s930140@mleps.hlc.edu.tw
Personal Website:http://tw.blog.urlifelinks.com/blog/mleps930140
Yan-Bo's Parents say:
We are happy that Yan-Bo can be a member of this group. After only a single semester he really improved a lot in how he uses computer. He can type so much faster than before, he also can do formatting and layout as well as use Powerpoint. All those things that he learned in a semester put him ahead of what his other classmates learned in a full-year class. Those two times he went out on the interview trips he was really excited and happy. It's clear this is very interesting for him. And the three teachers' way of running the whole thing was really efficient, the way they ran the group. What we like is how this didn't take up much out-of-class time. This is a really good learning experience and we're hoping that he can join next time.
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Yu Jiao Long Group Member: Zen Wen-Qi
Zen Wen-Qi
Photograph: Yu Jiao Long, Teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng
When I was in grade 4 I suddenly got the news that the teacher wanted me to join this competition. At the time I didn't believe it was true, so I was startled. But I'm really happy to join this fresh and interesting activity.
Because now I'm one of the students in this exhibition preparation group each morning I must go to the computer room and reseach our Fong Tian jade. Sometimes I type. Sometimes I look up jade information. Sometimes I prepare illustrated talks or do work on the web. Those students in our class who are part of this exhibition preparation group are all very focused and good workers. It seems to me that surely the students from the other class aren't as good. They don't participate as much, sometimes they don't show up, so we have less chance to cooperate with that group.
There's one thing that impressed me the most. We went that day to Bai Bao Stream to look for jade rock. We were wearing funny rain boots and we walked slowly into the water to start looking for the jade pieces. Some were big. Some were small. Some were curved like the outline of Taiwan. Some were like a cute little heart. A big rock there was like a majestic mountain. At that time all of us had a great time and we didn't feel like leaving.
From our group I learned a lot about Fong Tian jade. I also learned how to use some computer systems and how to get along with others. Even more important, I learned how to do interviews with those senior and experienced people. So, joining this work group that to me is so interesting, made me learn lots of things.
uring the interviews, I'm most grateful to our teachers and the person we interviewed. The teachers Zhang Zun-Cheng and counselor Chen Ci-Fang really taught from their heart over the whole project period. Also thanks to Mr. Jiang Jing-Yuan. Why? Because the two teachers guided us in the group with their full involvement. But they are not just doing it, they really take it to heart. When I think of this part I feel my nose start to burn, and I want to cry. I really want to thank then for being serious and giving their full effort to guide us.
From this project, I see many difficulties, like: installing new software in the computer (freeware), we have to re-key in the data, freshly search the data, and arrange all the data. But, we overcame them, though we encountered some embarrasements but for me I'm still really happy.
ince I participated in this exhibition I have been very busy but it was very full and interesting. I want to thank the teachers again for all your effort. Because of you I can hang one and work all the way to the end. Even though I met some problems that were hard to deal with I will work hard to improve myself.
Name: Zeng Wen-Qi
English Name: Kiki
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Birthdate: Oct. 28, 1997
Hobbies: swimming, clay-work, painting
Skill: clay-work, painting
Blood Type: A
Email s930126@mleps.hlc.edu.tw
Personal Website:http://tw.blog.urlifelinks.com/blog/mleps30122
Wen-Qi's Parents say:
We are happy that Wen-Qi could join this team with everyone. Right from the beginning of the school year she became more interested in jade through collecting data, typing, interviewing, even oral reports. This helps her increase lots of knowledge and gain a lot of experience.
Under the guidance of the three excellent teachers in the YJL group the children conducted the project following the schedule. Each of them could focus on their own topic. They could also experience the importance of this kind of cooperation with their classmates. This experience is brand new for all of them.
After becoming aware of jade this way, Wen-Qi started to become very involved. When she sees any exhibition or reports about jade, she tells us. So we, also, learn new things besides just appreciating the beauty of the jade. This proves that this is successful, under the teachers' guidance this way. And the students really were able to uncover some things.
Next semester (Note: Spring, 2008) is a critical time. I hope that everyone's effort this semester will appear soon on the web. Kids, way to go! Keep it up!
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Yu Jiao Long Group Member: Peng Yu-Min
Name: Peng Yu-Min
English name: Wendy
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Birthdate: September 3, 1997
Hobbies: painting, watching movies
Skill: painting, abacus
Blood Type: A
Email: s930090@mleps.hlc.edu.tw
Personal Website: http://tw.blog.urlifelinks.com/blog/mleps930090
When I was in 4th grade, one morning teacher came to use to ask us to take part in this exhibition. I was really stunned. Since then I became so busy. Each day in the early study period I have to go to the computer room to search for information on jade. So, at that time I am not in the classroom. I remember, one day, our school changed new computers (all the operating systems were changed to freeware operating systems). All my data was lost. The only way to solve it is to re-do it. After that, I got new data back again so I was very thrilled and jumped for joy. Once when we got out of class the teacher handed us a notice paper. When I looked, I saw it told us we would be having an interview. Then, I took some time to come up with some questions. Next day, teacher drove the car and took us to the store "Ru Fong Jade Workshop." As soon as we arrived, we asked all our questions, then we went to the back to expereience the process of preparing jade. After that I picked a piece of jade that looked like a heart and started grinding it. After a bit it was all OK. There was a worker there who took my jade and did some adjustments on it then polished it. After that they drilled a hole and put a string through it. Quickly we finished the whole process. After that, we went to another interview. This time we went to the home of Mr. Cai Wan-Yi. After we asked a few questions, and before we left, he gave each of us a piece of jade. Once again we went to "Ru Fong Jade Workshop" and now it was open. Here we continued to interview Mr. Jiang Jing-Yuan. He introduced us to many different kinds and pieces of jade. Everyone was happy listening to him. Afterward we went to see the head of the village and his jade pieces. Those pieces were really beautiful. After that, teacher took us on to the Di Shen Shrine, then a doctor's house and other places. At the end of the trip, teacher took us on another visit to Bai Bao Stream. It was fun and I also picked one piece of jade. We also found rocks of asbestos. This brought us to a slow and gentle ending to a beautiful day!
The part that I will never forget is going to Bai Bao Stream to collect jade. Especially when we pick the jade and it's all different shapes, it brings all kinds of images to my mind. Some look like a heart, or a rabbit, or other images. It helps me think about the difference between jade and asbestos rock. This thing still runs in my mind.
In this work, from teacher I learned how to do a web page, short illustrated talk and use email. From teacher I learned how to add attachments to mails. And I didn't forget these things. I remember even today.
For the experience of this time I'm most thankful to a number of people: Mr. Jiang Jin-Yuan, Jiang Ma-Ma, Mr. Cai Wan-Yi, Mr. Su Ming-Liang, Teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng, Director Chen Ci-Fang, Teacher Cheng Li-Hui and other students I worked with on the exhibit, my classmates. Thank you for you guys help, and giving me so much information. Thanks again! Thanks everyone.
During this time of study I learned a lot about jade by bumping into and then fixing a whole bunch of problems that showed up. What I learned in the end was the composition of Fong Tien jade, the people who discovered jade, and lots, lots more. Finally I know these things. I'm really happy. ^_^ This helps me continue to learn more about jade. If in the next semester there is a competition like this, come ask me to join!
Name: Peng Yu-Min
English name: Wendy
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Birthdate: September 3, 1997
Hobbies: painting, watching movies
Skill: painting, abacus
Blood Type: A
Email: s930090@mleps.hlc.edu.tw
Personal Website: http://tw.blog.urlifelinks.com/blog/mleps930090
Yu-Min's Parents say:
During the time when we joined this activity, Yu-Min learned a lot of things she didn't know before. And she had lots of new experiences. As the work went on, she gradually learned how to interact with so many people in a group and really make use of her skills. This is the growth that we saw in her.
After each field trip she took, she would come back and share with us the experiences she'd had. And her work and homework for this project she approached with real enthusiasm. We saw her learn independence bit by bit. This is what we, as her parents, are most happy to see!
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Yu Jiao Long Group Member: Lu Xue-Ru
One day when I was in 4th grade, teacher brought an exhibition notice to me and to other people in this group. When we saw it we were happy and really wanted to be a part of this. And when I saw on the notice that it said "jade" I was realy curious because I've never seen jade, I've only heard about it. So jade was very strange to me.
After we joined the group and were looking for information about jade, we found that Taiwan has jade and one kind of jade that is very famous is Fong Tian jade. This jade is also called "Taiwan jade." So the next day we looked up information on Fong Tian. We got lots and lots and saved it in the computer. Then, the very next day we discovered that everyone's data" everything we did up till then" got written over or deleted. We thought about it, then realized because it's a public computer so everyone can use it so, unfortunately this cost us a bit more effort. Each day we have to search under a nervous situation. A short time later we discoered a solution to saving the data. That is, to put them on a web site. That's because noone knows where we put it on the web. Becaue they don't know, they can't change it.
One day, finally, we want to go to Fong Tian to do interviews. We want to pay a visit to Mr. Jiang Jin-Yuan at the "Ru Fong Jade Workshop". We got there early so first we went to Bi Lian Temple to see what a "Niao Ju" (bird house) is. I though this special word "niao ju" was from a real bird. Only after I saw the real thing did I realize the Japanese wrote "niao ju" to represent what, in Chinese we call "pai lo," a monument archway, like a bow-shaped bridge . We were all really surprised to find this out. Not long after that we went off to meet Mr. Jiang Jin-Yuan. All of us were quite nervous. We didn't know if maybe we'd ask the wrong question. But when we got there, and the time came to start asking questions to Mr. Jiang, none of us dared to. Finally one of us was brave enough to start. That was Jiang Guo-Hao, our classmate. When we saw him do that, without any special effort, all of us were able to join in the questioning. At the end of the question period we were almost fighting for the chance to ask more questions. What a turnaround! We asked a lot of questions. The topics we talked about got wider and wider. So we can say this experience was a huge success. After all the questions were asked we went to grind and polish jade. We did this for a very long time. Some classmates made blocks of jade to carve our names into, some made hearts, some made the shape of Taiwan. Though it was hard work, it was worthwhile.
From the interview I learned many things, like how to judge jade quality, the types of jade, and I learned other kinds of things including what a "niao ju bird nest" really means! And I even had a chance to grind and polish jade, so I have a sense of what hard work this really is. Even though it was hard, no one else was tired at the end, but me, I was really tired, so "hen nan dong xi" (means embarrased). I'm most thankful to the teachers because they worked really hard doing all kinds of things and provided information for us to use. It's only because of the help of the teachers that we could keep going with this work. Moreover, there was even a time I forgot to bring money along, and teacher loaned some to me.
This time in the process of preparing for the exhibit, we all learned a lot. And only because the teacher loaned money to me, I had a real hands-on chance to "do jade." So, again, thanks to our teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng.
Name: Lu Xue-Ru
English name: Shaun
Astrological Sign: Aquarius
Birthdate: January 22, 1998
Hobbies: the game of Go
Skill: the game of Go
Blood Type: B
Email: s930044.@mleps.hlc.edu.tw
Website: http://tw.blog.urlifelinks.com/blog/mleps930044
Xue-Ru's Parents say:
This semester (note: Fall, 2007) from the very beginning of the semester, Xue-Ru started really working hard on gathering information on Fong Tian jade. Xue-Ru told us that he was honored to be part of a competition where the team was his classmates. We can feel the affect and importance this activity has on him. We've watched continuously as he focused on the internet information, then went to BaiBao Stream and collected jade.
Later this group did oral presentations and practiced how to organize data, how to do interviews, hand's on work, for the sake of really understanding jade. All of this let parents like us know how much importance the school places in this activity.
The semester is almost over. As parents we all need to really enourage the effort and progress our kids are making with this work. Also for the school to have this vision, we all should applaud! They've taken a step to bring powerful self-learning right down into the 4th grade. We hope that this kind of learning can continue. On one side, it tightens the bonds between students, on the other it can help children's learning be more active, more diverse and more applicable.
Our precious children, well done! Well done!
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Yu Jiao Long Group Member: Jiang Guo-Hao
One day teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng gave us a sheet of paper announcing the 2008 web exhibition, and asked us to give it to our parents. If they agree, we could join this activity. At that time, when I saw the word "jade" on the notice, I really wanted to join this activity. This would certainly give me a chance to understand more about jade.
Teacher used a holiday to take us to Fong Tien to visit 3 Fong Tien jade experts. We went to visit Mr. Jiang Jin-Yuan and ask him a lot of information about jade. We also did DIY jade. They taught us how to separate good jade from bad. This helped me to really raise my understanding of jade. Especially when we went to Bai Bao Stream to collect rock, this was the part that really sticks in my memory. I even hugged a big rock and when I did that I slipped and got my clothes wet.
From this project I learned how to make jade and how to distinguish good jade from bad. At the beginning when I joined, I wasn't so focused on this work. In all the times we went to Fong Tian and talked a lot with those experts, now I understand a lot about jade. It's only after that that I realized jade is a tremendously beautiful stone. It's only now that I understand jade and know why it is unique and valuable. Before I barely even noticed when people talked about jade , just a nothing-special stone, now I know it's a beautiful stone.
When we were preparing our oral presentations Teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng continuously encouraged me. That's cause at that time I thought doing presentations was really difficult. I told Teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng that I wanted to quit, but he told me not to quit, to just keep going and it'd be OK. Don't waste this chance by quitting halfway. In the whole process of researching jade, everyone was really good to me, so I want to thank them for their help.
Name: Jiang Guo-Hao
English name: Jack
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Birthdate: October 28, 1997
Hobbies: swimming
Skill: swimming, playing basketball
Blood Type: O
Email: b987654321392@yahoo.com.tw
Personal Website: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!WXGHw12QSU.G6u7tYUfEMIA2P_dt
Guo-Hao's Parents say:
We're really happy Guo-Hao had a chance to join this activity. He's always been extroverted and active child. In the process of this work he gradually learned how to cooperate with his classmates, so he's able to quiet down enough to do research. He now sees that computers are not just for games but also they are a tool of learning.
In the process of his work, we really couldn't support him much. It's only the teacher who was in a position to support him, and we're ever so appreciative of this. We believe this will be the most memorable experience at Ming Lian Elementary School.
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Yu Jiao Long Group Member: Chen Qun-Yue
One day teacher gave me and other students the notice for the cyberfair. When we saw it we were really happy, and really wanted to join! Every day in the early study period at school we all went to the computer room and gradually researched jade and built up our materials. So pretty much every day I was there.
From this project I ran into a lot of problems, for example, the computers had new software installed and we must re-type all our material and look up our information from the beginning and organize it all. I want to thank Teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng, Director Chen Ce-Fang and my parents. I want to thank them for teaching me how to use some computer systems. And I want to thank the other members of our Yu Jiao Long team. Without you I'd surely not improve so much!
In the process of doing the first paper, we continuously gathered materials and we also found different kinds of material. Then we put the best of it into our oral presentations. Me ¡K I searched, and searched and searched, but only found 1 or 2 entries on my topic. I was really nervous and felt under pressure, all red-earred. But what I hadn't noticed was that all I found was really only from the same web pages. Then, with the second paper we all knew how to do the process smarter and it wasn't so hard. This time when I got material I collected it from all the possible pages, not just one. So, naturally, there was more information.
Name: Chen Qun-Yue
English name: Toward
Astrological Sign: Aries
Birthdate: April 8, 1998
Hobbies: reading
Skill: removing viruses from computers
Blood Type: A
Email: rs7fd@hotmail.com
Personal Website: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!plVtbxSAA0BHduOnAA--
Qun-Yue's Parents say:
From the time Qun-Yue was small, he had heart disease. After his surgery, his situation stabilized. So he wasn't able to attend several of the field trips. Even though it was that way, when we saw how focused and excited he was sitting at the computer looking up information we felt relieved and gratified.
We really saw our child's improvement. We're also impressed with how well the teachers arranged the schedules. This kept the pressure of classwork which the kids have at a reasonable level. Most activities could even be completed right at the school. Thanks to the teachers for their guidance.
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Yu Jiao Long Group Member: Liu Li-Ling
At the beginning I had no idea what Fong Tian jade even was. I only knew that that thing grandma wore on her wrist made of jade. And that's why I got curious to dig right into the topic of what jade really.
Afer a while, I joined the research group on "jade". The reason we made this group is so we could join the competition. We went to lot of places and met lots of people and these people were a great help and really meaningful. For example, we went to Bai Bao Stream, Fong Tian, the Cultural History building and we also met Mr. Jiang Jin-Yuan, Mr. Cai Wan-Yi and others. And it was because of this that I came to understand jade and jade's past and future, how in the past, jade was such a valuable beautiful stone and how now, it's lost some of its past splendor.
Even though I frequently made mistakes and was yelled at by the teachers and in order to type the materials had to type until I was really exhausted, the others in the group were also putting their full selves into the work, and were exhausted, too. The others could finish their work on time, so I really admire their work. I feel I'm the sand in the gears. When I saw each of the others doing so well, and I wasn't, but needed their help I thought I'm really not suited to be here. I created trouble. But I saw everyone working so hard, and I wanted to reach up to that standard and keep from being that kind of burden, so it was worth continuing.
In this group I learned teamwork, acceptance and the attitude of sticking with it right to the end. In the future I'll know how to work even harder. Everyone, wait and you'll see how I change!
Name: Liu Li-Ling
English name: Kelly
Astrological Sign: Libra
Birthdate: October 17, 1997
Hobbies: reading
Skill: in-line skating
Blood Type: O
Email: s930023@mleps.hlc.edu.tw
Li-Ling's Parents say:
Li-Ling isn't so good with computers. At the beginning we worried that she'd not be able to keep up with the work. But because in our home we have no computer we couldn't even help teach her or let her practice. For this thing we had to totally rely on the support of the teachers. Again, we are really grateful for all the help they gave.
In the midst of this process there was a time she felt a bit frustrated. When she compared herself with her classmates she felt she wasn't as good as others, and she was thinking to quit. But with the support of the teacher she was able to continue and finish this project. She learned the spirit of athletes" to persevere right to the end and not give up.
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Yu Jiao Long Group Member: Ruan Hui-Yu
When I just started forth grade, teacher asked us if any of us wanted to join the Taiwan Cyberfair. At the beginning I didn't say I wanted to join, but then later teacher gave me a notice for this event. At home I immediately showed it to my mom and dad, and they agreed and I was really happy. On the notice was the word "jade" and it made me curious cause I'd only heard of jade, and never seen it.
At the beginning I was still unfamiliar with jade. Only later did I realize that the jade we'd work on was Taiwan's own Fong Tian jade. Then I started slowly to gather material. After that, teacher said that we need to take the information and give oral presentations. Gradually the work we needed to do with Taiwan's Cyberfair got more and more and I poured myself into searching all the material. After those few days of focused searching we went on a field trip to Fong Tian. Asking the expert (Jiang Jin-Yuan) we got even better information. Then we even did DIY jade grinding. We could even wear it right away!
After a few days of preparing our oral presentations, teacher said we could go practice in the school gymnasium. But at that time my presentation was terrible. I had to work more and get better information.
One more time we went to Fong Tien on a field trip. This time we asked questions to Mr. Cai Wan-Yi, Mr. Jiang Jin-Yuan and Mr. Su Ming-Liang. The information they gave us was incredibly good. There was another activity that we all were dying to go on, that was the trip to Bai Bao Stream to collect jade. The water was so cold! But still we were happy to deal with the cold, since it was so cool to collect jade. After we collected a lot, everyone was incredibly happy. This is one of the most powerful memories for me.
In these days I learned that when we divide the work, it can finish quickly. Me and my partner Liu Li-Ling hunted for information. Now I have even deeper understanding of Taiwan's Fong Tian Jade.
Also I want to thank Teacher Zhang Zun-Cheng for guiding us and Teacher Chen Li-Hui for taking photographs. Also thanks to my family for their encouragement. In all the little steps along the way I learned an incredible amount. I'll work even harder in the future.
Name: Ruan Hui-Yu
English name: Apple
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Birthdate: July 14, 1998
Hobbies: painting, dancing
Skill: dancing
Blood Type: O
Email: s930166@mleps.hlc.edu.tw
Personal Website: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!oR5NFhCZFgegzHU9RvkgLg--
Hui-Yu's Parents say:
Before Hui-Yu didn't know that Taiwan has jade. After her participation in the Taiwan Cyberfair she knew that eastern Taiwan has rare and valuable Fong Tian jade. This helped Hui-Yu become very interested in jade rock information. She knows how to hunt on the computer for jade information and organize it into a report. Hui-Yu and her teammates discussed the research report and shared the information each had found. This allowed Hui-Yuan understand the joy that comes from working with a team on the same goal. This is an activity with a tremendous educational importance.
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The Yu Jiao Long Group
Plans for Classes