Japanese Conversation Circle

Grade 2 started 5 minutes speaking practice.

Students really like asking their friends simple questions.

It helps them to be more confident to talk to their friends in Japanese.

JNL (Japanese as a Native Language) students have been writing their own stories these days.

I was so impressed that they really like making their own story!

I can also see that students like the characters in the story.

Students got some Japanese homework for Winter break.

For the reading homework, they can read any parts from their textbook.

I hope you have a great holiday and a happy new year!

Jinsho Exchange Activity

Today was the first in four days of exchange activities with JIES Grade 3 and Jinsho Grade 2.  This time JIES students are teaching the Jinsho students about some international games.  The games that we all decided on together were Basketball, Foosball, Percussion Cups, and Hot Potato.  One student from each group is in charge of being the expert/leader for one game and teaches it to Jinsho using only English, hand gestures and through example.  Some of the games have fairly complicated instructions which makes it challenging to teach when the students have limited English ability.  The JIES students need to be tolerant, empathetic and patient when teaching.  Besides this difficulty, all the students had fun playing the games on the first day and reflecting on how to explain and make them better for the next day.  

The Railroad Museum Field Trip

Today's trip to The Railroad Museum in Saitama was a great learning experience for second grade!  We were able to inquire into how trains and migration are connected by viewing and experiencing many different types of trains that have evolved over time and by asking questions to the helpful guides.  The students learned many facts about the different types of trains and now I hope we can synthesize that knowledge into an understanding about how migration has changed because of the changing technology! Take a look at some photos from the day...