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Saturday Japanese class Newsletter

November 2008

1: Class I
2: Class II
3: Class III
4: JFL
5: Lower Grade Class
6: Middle Grade Class
7: Upper Grade Class
8: Middle School

Class I

In September and October, we studied Ta Chi Tsu Te To and Na Ni Nu Ne No. This month, we will be studying Ha Hi Hu(Fu) He Ho. As they write, I see more children vocalizing with the rhythm of 1 Red, 2 Blue, 3 Green. I will be going over stroke pressure so that the students can learn to write the lines and letters firmly. To start with, we will practice gripping objects with chopsticks. As you might have read in the magazines or news articles, it is very important to use fingers in early childhood. In class, I try to be creative with the thought that the children become familiar with Japanese through play and fun. In October, we did finger plays with Disney and Ninja motifs. This month, more finger plays are in store for the students. Why don't you ask your child about those finger plays and try them out together? By the way, the Ninja finger plays were very popular!
(Ms. Nakatake)

Class II

This month, we are bringing Nazonazo (riddle) plays to the next level by having the students make their own riddles. My goal is for them to be able to write short sentences by making riddles.
(Ms. Oozeki)

Class III

At every lesson, I am having the students take these three steps: make something, try it out and report. Among the projects we took on are water colored by flowers, pop-up toys and moving origami. I would like to continue these three-step activities. Katakana will be put to use. It has been difficult for the students to master the letters as Katakana probably is not in their everyday usage. Nevertheless, let's try our best!
(Ms. Umehata)

JFL

In October, we conducted many collaborative lessons with other classes in preparation for the Okashi Yashiki (candy house). Traditionally, JFL students have not had much interaction with others but this school year, they will be more exposed to the environment where Japanese is spoken through additional collaborative lessons with JHL. In November, the Takuan (Japanese pickled Daikon) project will be starting - planting first. Thank you for your cooperation in making good fertilizer.
(Ms. Yamada)

Lower Grade Class

I wrote in the October Newsletter that I believe "it is most important for children to focus on listening and dictation to achieve a high level of Japanese with which they can progress on their own", and this month I would like to describe this idea in more detail.
Students in this class rarely get confused with words that have similar sounds but different meanings such as "shi-te-i-ma-su" (I am doing...) and "shi-tte-i-ma-su" (I know...) (double consonants), or "o-ji-i-sa-n" (grandfather) and "o-ji-sa-n" (uncle)（long vowel/short vowel) when they talk. However, when they try to write them down, it is very common that they can't tell the difference, and have difficulty in writing them correctly. Since they are learning Japanese in an English speaking environment, they require special training in addition to the traditional Japanese teaching methods for Japanese students living in Japan. At this age, they need to listen well, pay attention to the ends of sentences, and learn how Japanese syllables and resonant sounds work.
This month's objective is to listen well when other people talk, and focus on improving listening and dictating. If you have any questions regarding how I teach syllables and resonant sounds, please write them in the margins of your child's homework book.
(Ms. Sakamoto)

Middle Grade Class

In October, we studied world geography through the names and locations of continents, different climates, and the location of countries to prepare for our "Hungry Planet" study project. At the same time, we prepared for our annual "Halloween Candy House" event, creating ads and invitation cards, and setting prices for candies. We had our hands full with our studies and projects, and had a very busy month.
This month we will focus on the "Hungry Planet" study project, starting with American and Japanese diets.
I saw many children coughing at school. Please encourage them to make a habit of washing their hands and gargling to prevent infection.
(Ms. Shrecker)

Upper Grade Class

In October, students from the lower, middle, and upper grades, the middle school, and JFL worked on the "Halloween Candy House" project. They made five mixed-age groups with different assignments such as setting prices for candies and selling them at the event. The upper Grade students were assigned to organize each group and did a great job. They also came up with a new idea to sell lucky "Fukubukuro" bags. This month, we will sum up the Candy House project, report the sales of candies, and write thank-you letters to those who made a donation, and then we move on to the "Hungry Planet" study project. After reviewing geography, we will study diets in different countries: what they eat, the nutrition in their diet, and make comparisons among different countries and so on.
(Ms. Miyajima)

Middle School

Since the new term began in September, we have been studying the "Hungry Planet" photobook, a theme we share with middle and upper grade students. Children in three different age groups have been studying the locations of different countries using satellite photos. Students in the Middle School class focused on studying geography and compared different countries' diets.
In October, we prepared for the annual "Candy House" event. All the students from Saturday classes got together, made mixed-age groups with the older students in charge, and worked together to run the project.
(Ms.Douglas)

Thank you: Ms. Inoue, Ms. Hayashi

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