My time at Zhuzhou No. 2 High School was an enriching experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Through the 1000 miles initiative, Nathan, Jake, Jacob, and I were able to teach 8 rewarding and engaging classes to students at Zhuzhou No. 2 High School.

Our first (and fifth) classes were a American Candy Taste Test. In this class, we started with different vocabulary words that the students were able to use to describe the taste and feel of the different candies. We then passed out the different candies (Twix, Starburst, and Takis) and surveyed their initial reactions. We then asked the students to describe what the candy tasted like and whether or not they enjoyed the candy. Each student who raised their hand and answered was awarded a piece of candy. This class was then repeated with different students, and they tried Trolli, Kit-Kats, and Sour Punch. For the first class, I think we did well. The pacing was a little off, and we ended up running over time.

For our second and third classes, we presented an American Drink Taste Test. In the second class, we had 2 flavors for everyone to try: Cherry and Topical Punch. Each flavor had 3 packets, so students were able to make some on their own. We started by showing the students how to make the Kool-Aid by dumping the sugar, pouring the Kool-Aid packet, and then pouring 3 ½ bottles of water and mixing throughout. We had the students make a lot of Kool-Aid, but ran into a problem of completing everything we had prepared too soon. This could have been avoided by creating vocabulary like in the first class. In the third class, however, we did the same thing as the second, but instead, we made it a lot more thorough and engaging so each student in the class knew how to make it. In this class, the flavors were Grape and Lemonade. We let each student who wanted to make a pitcher make it. We managed the time a lot better in this class. 

For our third, fourth, and seventh classes, we presented Ordering in an American Restaurant. We started with an introduction, understanding the menu and how to order. After that, we gave an introduction on how to tip and pay in a restaurant. We then played a video when me, Jake, and Nathan went to Texas Roadhouse and ordered food. The students laughed at the birthday celebration we ordered for Jake (it wasn’t his birthday). We then concluded the class by asking students to volunteer to practice how they would order in an American restaurant. This class was our best class out of them all in the sense that we took up the entire class time, provided useful information to the students on how to dine in a restaurant, and then had them practice it.

For our sixth and eighth classes, we presented American Classroom Games. We went to a larger room for both of these classes, as there is a lot of space required for the games. We started with an introduction to classroom games and the purpose they serve in classrooms, and the connection they provide. We started with the game What Am I? where the class would split in half and pick a representative that would have to guess what is on the picture behind them, only using yes or no questions. Whoever got whatever was on the picture in the least amount of questions won the game and the candy. For the second game, we played four corners. We divided the room into 4 corners and had a volunteer spin around in the middle of the room with their eyes closed. On the screen, it would show 4 different options, and the students would pick which most closely aligned with them. Once all the students are in play, the volunteer in the middle randomly picks a square to get out with their eyes closed. This resumes until there is one or a few winners. This class is definitely where the students had the most fun, especially running around in four corners. 

Overall, this experience has been one I won’t forget. Whether it was in the classroom teaching students or the late-night KFC runs, I will always remember the time I spent in Zhuzhou.