Mindy Witt created a newsletter template for exploring China during Chinese New Year that can be reused each year and across grade levels. She made multiple changes to simplify and generalize the text so it could be adapted for any class, including changing specific dates, grade references, and event details. The revisions improved the balance and organization of the newsletter for future use.

1. Mindy Witt
Spring 2012

2. I changed the original date of April 2009 to January.
That way I can reuse this newsletter every year when we
explore China during the Chinese New Year. (simplify
text)

3. I changed the original date of January to
January with red lettering. That way it stands
out. (Size, dominance, color texture)

4. I changed the original date of January to a
larger font so you could better see it.
(proportion, shape, color, size)

5. I changed the original “Upcoming 2nd Grade
Events” to “Upcoming Events” so I can use
this in any grade I teach in. (Simplify text)

6. I changed the original books section to just say that they can
be found at your local public library instead of Allegany
County Public Library. That way I can reuse this in the future.
(simplify text)

7. I changed the original “Look Who is Visiting Your
Class” to “Look What We Are Studying”. (balance,
harmony)

8. I changed the material in the “Look What We
Are Studying” section. I explained what we
would be learning. (Spread ideas)

9. I changed the original upcoming information to
not include a grade so it can be used in any
grade I teach. (Simplify text)

10. I switched the “Upcoming Events” section with the “Look
Who’s Here” section. Then I changed the “Look Who’s
Section to “Try Chinese” and added three words to try.
(balance, unity, spacing, cultivate and reduce text)

11. I changed the original Special Points of Interest section to
include the new sections. (size, proportion)

12. Much Better!