For Parents

Ideas for Families

The Minnesota-China Connection isn’t just for school and classroom use. Families can logon at home anytime and discover the wonders of China together. You’ll learn interesting things and gain a better appreciation of Minnesota’s friendship with this important nation.

• Visit the Explore More section together to read brief stories about Culture, Science & Technology, the Environment, Agriculture and Government, and to find interesting links to help you investigate the topics further.
   
• Check out the Student Journals section to get to know the seven Student Ambassadors who will travel with the governor on a mission to China Nov. 11 to 19. Check back each day during the mission and follow events of each as they happen. The discussion questions at the end of each report will help you serve up a great family dinner table discussion.
   
• Post a map of the world or use a globe and have your kids mark the path of the students on the mission with a red marker or a red string.
   
• Visit your local library or bookstore for books to read with your kids about China and kids in China.
  

  http://www.gigglepotz.com/china.htm has book lists, plus kid-friendly activities and information on Chinese culture.

  For older readers, the Minnesota Historical Society has published a book about the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Minnesota: Chinese in Minnesota by Sherri Gebert Fuller. The book is part of the Historical Society’s “People in Minnesota” series. For more information, visit www.mnhs.org.
   

• Select an authentic Chinese recipe and cook together as a family. You can find recipes at http://chinesefood.about.com/http://www.epicurious.com (search under "authentic chinese").
   
  Note: For some background on traditional vs. Americanized Chinese cuisine, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chinese_cuisine.
  

• Learn about Chinese traditions and celebrations (see Explore More section) and see if there's a tradition or celebration your family might want to incorporate, such as The Chinese New Year, the Moon Festival, or kite-flying.
   
• Take family field trips related to the information you're learning on this site. Some places to visit:
   
  • The Minneapolis Institute of Arts:www.artsmia.org
    One of the nation's most extensive exhibits of Chinese art and artifacts--right here in our own backyard.
     
  • Minnesota Center for Chinese Culture: http://www.mn3c.org/home.php
    Offering educational, performance, arts and cultural programs.
     
  • Minnesota History Center: http://www.mnhs.org/historycenter/
     
  • Concordia Language Villages: www.concordialanguagevillages.org
    Chinese immersion classes, summer camps and family learning opportunities.