kodomo No Ie

KNI Newsletter

March 2011

1: This month's goals
2: Let's sing! - Songs of the Month
3: Thank you Sakura students!
4: Hand made Hina-dolls
5: Parent-Teacher conferences
6: The Sports Day


It seems like just as we get used to the good weather, the cold comes back to greet us. There's an old saying that in the colder seasons the weather alternates between three consecutive days of cold weather and four days of warm weather. I think it applies to what we've seen of March so far. Every year around this time we look forward to the sprouting buds of the jasmine tree by the gate, and this year is no exception. Going outside to sing Japanese nursery rhymes, we find ourselves surrounded by dandelions. Butterflies and ladybugs come to visit us at the school as well. We hope you can find the time yourself
to spot spring's messengers.

This month's goals

- The children we will celebrate the traditions of the Hina Festival by placing the Hina dolls that they made we made on the display shelf, singing the Hina Festival song, and listening to the story of the Hina Festival.
- Observing the sprouting greenery around us and feeling the warmth of the sun and the gentle touch of the wind, we will experience the changing of the seasons.
- Using the Jump Rope Chart (Kiku class) and the Endurance Chart (Sakura class), we will give ourselves a hearty outdoor workout.
- By interacting with the baby rabbits, and taking care of the fishes, the children will nurture their own sense of kindness towards smaller creatures.
- Through our harvesting of the daikon, we will cultivate both a sensitivity towards the subtle changes of field as well as a gratitude for all it provides us.

Let's sing! - Songs of the Month

Renge … Osumou Kumachan (Sumo Wrestling Bear)
Momo … Kawaii Kakurenbo (Cutsey Hide and Go Seek)
Sumire... Haru desu yo (It's Spring!)
Kiku … Inu no Omwarisan (The Police Dog)
Ume ... Haru no Kuruoto (The Sound of Coming Spring)
Sakura … Unpappa
All classes … Ureshii Hinamwatsuri (Happy Doll Festival)

Sheet music for all the songs are placed on the sign-in table. Please feel free to take them home and enjoy singing with your child!

Thank you Sakura students!

On February 27th, Sakura Class students performed their annual musical play “Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day)” at the Huntington Library. We are really happy to have many people joined us for this event. Thank you very much.
Sakura Class students all wore either Yukata (unlined summer kimono) or Japanese traditional Hinamatsuri dolls’ costume for their performance.
The handmade Hinamatsuri doll’s costumes have been added one by one, by many KNI mothers over many years. The original music for this performance is composed by Ms. Yoshinaka who used to teach rhythmics in KNI. Ms. Yoshinaka is currently teaching at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo. This year, she personally reviewed the music and made some revisions, which transformed this piece into a brand-new and highly noble work. We hope everyone enjoyed the performance.
It has been approximately 15 years since we started this annual spring performance in Huntington Library. This performance is held inside of an old Japanese style house located in its Japanese Garden. It is a great opportunity to teach our children a few important manners for public places, such as being extra careful not to damage the old Shoji (paper sliding door) or Fusuma (thick paper sliding door). And more than anything, it is a wonderful opportunity to teach them Japanese traditional culture. During intermission between two performances, a KNI graduate Ms. Lin Challet and the Parent Board Vice President Mrs.Kuwata performed Koto. It did add to the charm of the event, we are truly grateful to both of you. We deeply appreciate all Sakura Class parents’ support for this event. And Sakura Class students, thank you very much!! You did a wonderful job!

Hand made Hina-dolls

To celebrate the Girls' Day, each class made wonderful Hina-doll craft as follows:
Renge … Triangle shaped Hina-doll
Momo … Rolled paper Hina-doll
Sumire... Rolled paper Hina-doll
Kiku … Construction paper Hina-doll
Ume ... Yakurt cup Hina-doll
Sakura … Washi (Japanese paper) Hina-doll
Saturday class … Origami Hina-doll

Parent-Teacher conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences have started. Please be sure to sign up if you have not done so already. This is a great opportunity to think about your child’s development. We would love to exchange the information about your child. You will probably find out something new about your child. We are looking forward to talking with you.

The Sports Day

Mark your calendar! KNI’s annual Sports Day is coming in May!!
When: Sunday, May 22nd 9:00am - 1:30pm
Where: Jefferson school










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