Magic Mirror Slides Magic Mirror
Learning My Name in Mandarin
Who is that in the mirror?
Let's look at ourselves!
Wave to the person looking back at you!
Hello! 你好!
Nǐ hǎo!
(Nee-how)
Nǐ = You
Hǎo = Good
My name is...
Wǒ jiào
(Waw jee-ow...)
Wǒ
I / Me
jiào
called
Your Turn!
Loud Voice!
Tell the mirror your name!
Whisper Voice...
Tell a friend your name!
Wǒ jiào __________ !
Magic Mirror Teacher Guide Magic Mirror Facilitation Guide
Lesson 1: Stating My Name
Teacher Resource
Objective
Students will introduce themselves using "Wǒ jiào [Name]" with confidence and correct pronunciation.
Pacing
30-40 Minutes
Materials
Handheld mirrors
Magic Mirror Slides
Name tag stickers
1 The Magic Mirror Hook (5 mins)
Gather students in a circle. Pass around a handheld mirror or use a large classroom mirror.
"Look closely... who is that in the mirror? It's someone very special! In Mandarin, we greet people by saying 'Nǐ hǎo!'"
2 Input & Modeling (10 mins)
Display the Magic Mirror Slides . Model the sentence pattern:
Step A: Say "Nǐ hǎo"
Exaggerate the third tone (dip). Wave while saying it.
Step B: Say "Wǒ jiào..."
Point to yourself for "Wǒ" and tap your chest for "jiào".
3 Guided Practice (15 mins)
Mirror Whisper: Students whisper their name to the mirror using the pattern.Mirror Shout: Students "shout" (loudly state) their name to the mirror.Circle Pass: Pass the mirror. Each student says "Wǒ jiào..." before passing it on.
Differentiation & Support
Scaffolding
Allow students to just say their name if the full pattern is too difficult. Use physical gestures (pointing) to anchor the words.
Extension
Encourage students to ask "Nǐ jiào shénme?" (What are you called?) to a partner before the partner responds.
Magic Name Tags Handout Magic Name Tags
Wǒ jiào... 我叫...
Teacher Note: Print on sticker paper or cut and tape to students' shirts. Encourage students to draw a self-portrait or write their name in the center.
NǏ HǍO! 你好!
DRAW YOURSELF OR WRITE NAME HERE
Wǒ jiào... 我叫
NǏ HǍO! 你好!
DRAW YOURSELF OR WRITE NAME HERE
Wǒ jiào... 我叫
NǏ HǍO! 你好!
DRAW YOURSELF OR WRITE NAME HERE
Wǒ jiào... 我叫
NǏ HǍO! 你好!
DRAW YOURSELF OR WRITE NAME HERE
Wǒ jiào... 我叫
Who Am I Slides Who Am I?
Wǒ shì... 我是...
Nánhái
Nǚhái
Boy • 男孩
Nánhái
(Nan-high)
Girl • 女孩
Nǚhái
(Nee-high)
I am a...
Wǒ shì...
Wǒ shì nánhái
I am a boy
Wǒ shì nǚhái
I am a girl
Let's Sort!
Look at the cards! Does the person look like a nánhái or a nǚhái?
Ready, Set, GO!
Identity Sorting Teacher Guide Identity Sorting Guide
Lesson 2: Boy and Girl Identity
Teacher Resource
Learning Objective
Students will categorize themselves and others using the terms nánhái (boy) and nǚhái (girl) and begin using the "Wǒ shì..." (I am...) sentence pattern.
Activity 1: The Sorting Circle (15 mins)
1. Place two hula hoops or tape circles on the floor. Label one with the Nánhái card and one with the Nǚhái card.
2. Give each student a card from the Identity Sorting Cards handout.
3. Ask students to look at their card and decide: "Is this a nánhái or a nǚhái?"
4. One by one, students place their card in the correct circle while the whole class chants the vocabulary word.
Activity 2: Personal Identity (10 mins)
Have students stand up. Give the following instructions:
"If you are a nánhái , touch your nose and say 'Wǒ shì nánhái' !"
"If you are a nǚhái , touch your ears and say 'Wǒ shì nǚhái' !"
Note: In Pre-K, identity is often explored through visual traits. Keep the discussion focused on the Mandarin labels and simple self-categorization.
Nánhái (男 孩)
Literal: Male child. Focus on the 'nan' (falling-rising 2nd tone) and 'hai' (rising 2nd tone).
Nǚhái (女 孩)
Literal: Female child. The 'nǚ' sound is often tricky—remind students to make their mouth into a small circle.
Success Criteria
Correctly identifies boy/girl in pictures.
Attempts "Wǒ shì" with prompt.
Identity Sorting Cards Handout Who Am I Sorting Cards
Nánhái (Boy) vs. Nǚhái (Girl)
Cut along the dotted lines!
NÁNHÁI
Boy
NǚHÁI
Girl
NÁNHÁI
NǚHÁI
NÁNHÁI
NǚHÁI
NÁNHÁI
Boy Zone
NǚHÁI
Girl Zone
Finger Counting Slides 1 2 3 4 5
How Old Am I?
Wǒ... suì 我...岁
1
Yī
1 Finger
2
Èr
2 Fingers
3
Sān
3 Fingers
4
Sì
4 Fingers
5
Wǔ
I am ___ years old
Wǒ
?
suì
"Waw [Number] sway"
Wǒ sān suì (3)
Wǒ sì suì (4)
Wǒ wǔ suì (5)
Finger Counting Teacher Guide Finger Counting Guide
Lesson 3: Numbers 1-5 & Age
Teacher Resource
Key Concept
Mandarin numbers use specific hand gestures that differ from Western counting for higher numbers, but for 1-5, they are quite similar. We use "Wǒ [Number] suì" to state age.
Vocabulary
1: Yī (Ee) 2: Èr (Are) 3: Sān (San) 4: Sì (Sih) 5: Wǔ (Woo) Age: Suì (Sway)
The "Finger Pop" Routine (10 mins)
Use Total Physical Response (TPR) to anchor numbers. Keep hands closed in a fist.
1
"Yī" - Pop out index finger.
Teacher: "Show me one!" Students: "Yī!"
2-5
Repeat for Èr, Sān, Sì, Wǔ.
Increase speed as they get comfortable.
Stating Age (15 mins)
Transition from counting to personal identity.
"How many candles go on your cake? If you are 4, you say 'Wǒ sì suì'. Let's show our age with our fingers!"
Finger Flash Game:
Teacher calls out "Sān suì!" Students must flash 3 fingers and repeat the phrase. Swap roles and let students be the "Caller."
Pronunciation Alert
Sì (4) vs. Shì (to be): The number 4 is a flat "sih" sound. Don't let them mix it up with the 'sh' sound from Lesson 2.
Suì (Age): Ensure they don't say "sweet." It's more like "sway" with a falling tone.
Age Finger Trace Handout How Many Fingers?
Wǒ... suì 我...岁
1. Trace your hand!
2. Color the fingers you need to show your age.
3. Write your number in the big circle.
Trace Hand Here
Wǒ
suì
1
Yī
2
Èr
3
Sān
4
Sì
5
Wǔ
Happy Sad Face Slides I Like It!
Wǒ xǐhuān... 我喜欢...
I Like...
Wǒ xǐhuān
(Waw she-hwan)
I Don't Like...
Wǒ bù xǐhuān
(Waw boo she-hwan)
Do you like these?
Píngguǒ
Apple
Māo
Cat
Bīngqílín
Ice Cream
Paddle Up!
When you see the picture, show your Happy Face if you like it, or Sad Face if you don't!
Preference Paddle Teacher Guide Preference Paddle Guide
Lesson 4: Expressing Likes & Dislikes
Teacher Resource
Learning Objective
Students will express preferences using "Wǒ xǐhuān..." (I like) and "Wǒ bù xǐhuān..." (I don't like) in response to visual stimuli.
The "Happy/Sad" Intro (10 mins)
1. Introduce xǐhuān (like) with a huge smile and a thumbs up.
2. Introduce bù xǐhuān (don't like) with a frown and a head shake.
3. Practice choral repetition: "Xǐhuān! Xǐhuān! Xǐhuān!" followed by "Bù xǐhuān!"
Activity: The Preference Game (20 mins)
Preparation:
Have students color and assemble their Happy/Sad Faces (glued to craft sticks).
Gameplay:
Show a picture card or a physical object (e.g., a plastic toy dog, an apple, a picture of rain). Say the name in Mandarin if possible, or just the English word for now.
Students raise the Happy Face: "Wǒ xǐhuān!"
Students raise the Sad Face: "Wǒ bù xǐhuān!"
Pro Tip: Use funny examples like "spiders" or "broccoli" to get an enthusiastic "Bù xǐhuān!" from the class.
Pronunciation: Xǐhuān
The 'X' is a soft 'sh' sound. The 'h' is slightly raspy. She-hwan .
Pronunciation: Bù
A strong, short falling tone. It sounds like a definitive "No!"
Happy Sad Face Handout Happy & Sad Faces
Wǒ xǐhuān! 我喜欢!
1. Color the Happy Face Green and the Sad Face Red!
2. Cut them out and glue them to a stick!
Xǐhuān
I Like It!
Bù xǐhuān
No, thanks!
Practice saying it while you color:
Wǒ xǐhuān
(Waw she-hwan)
Wǒ bù xǐhuān
(Waw boo she-hwan)
Showcase Slides The BIG Showcase
All About Me! 我!
My Super Sentences
Wǒ jiào...
My Name
Wǒ shì...
Boy or Girl
Wǒ ___ suì
My Age
Wǒ xǐhuān...
I Like
My Special Poster
4
WOW!
We will draw and color our own today!
Showcase Time!
Loud Voice!
Big Smile!
Look at friends!
Jiāyóu!
Go for it!
Showtime! 明星时间!
Poster Showcase Teacher Guide Poster Showcase Guide
Lesson 5: Project & Presentation
Teacher Resource
Final Goal
Students will synthesize 4-5 Mandarin phrases into a short "All About Me" presentation using their custom poster as a visual aid.
Pacing
Part 1: Poster Creation (20m)Part 2: Presentation Circle (20m)
Part 1: Creating the Poster
Distribute the All About Me Poster Template . Guide students through each box:
Box 1 (Self): Draw a picture of yourself! Are you a nánhái or nǚhái ?
Box 2 (Age): Write your age number and draw that many candles.
Box 3 (Likes): Draw one thing you xǐhuān (fruit, animal, toy).
Box 4 (Name): Write your name (with teacher help).
Part 2: The Red Carpet Showcase
Set up a "stage" area. Each student comes up and says:
Nǐ hǎo!
Wǒ jiào [Name].
Wǒ shì nánhái / nǚhái.
Wǒ [Age] suì.
Wǒ xǐhuān [Object].
Xièxie! (Thank you)
Encourage the "audience" to clap and say "Hěn hǎo!" (Very good) after each presentation.
Mastery Checklist
Eye Contact Volume Sentence Recall Pronunciation
All About Me Poster Handout Zhè shì wǒ! 这是我!
This is Me!
1. ME! 我
Draw yourself here
Wǒ shì nánhái / nǚhái
2. AGE! 岁
Write your number &
Wǒ ___ suì
3. I LIKE! 喜欢
Draw one thing you like
Wǒ xǐhuān __________
4. NAME! 名字
Write your name
Wǒ jiào __________
Ready for my big presentation!
