KNI Japanese School Newsletter
April 2015 - Haru - Spring
1:
Class 1 (Kindergarten Level) - Ms. Ozeki
2:
Class 2 (Kindergarten Level) - Ms. Umehata
3:
Class 3 Ms. Yamada: Elementary lower grades
4:
Class 4 –Ms. Sakamoto Elementary middle grades
5:
Class 5 (Elementary Senior Grades) - Ms. Ohta
6:
Class 6 (SAT/AP Prep) – Ms. Miyajima
Class 1 (Kindergarten Level) - Ms. Ozeki
Lesson Goals:
- Be able to sit in a proper posture and write Hiragana in the correct order of strokes.
- Be able to feel and understand the Spring season
Class Activities:
- Create a small booklet compiling the words that include Hiragana letters that the students learned, and let those words sink into their memory
- Make spring flowers out of origami and learn basic techniques of origami making
- Sing spring songs joyfully and in a loud voice.
Grammar and Vocabulary:
- Become familiar with Hiragana words that include dull sounds, (ie., Buta, Zou, Ebi etc.)
Class 2 (Kindergarten Level) - Ms. Umehata
Lesson Goals:
- Understand the difference between "I-masu" and "Ari-masu" by describing things that can be found in the KNI's playground
- Make a small booklet
- Separate the use of Hiragana and Katakana
Class Activities:
- Create a small booklet based on a theme.
Grammar and Vocabulary:
- Deepen the understanding of words that are written in Hiragana versus words in Katakana
Class 3 Ms. Yamada: Elementary lower grades
Lesson Goals:
- Express what and how you feel using your 5 senses in Japanese.
Class Activities:
- Walk around the school garden to look for the signs of Spring
- Learn the opposite expressions.
Grammar and Vocabulary:
- "Hana ga saku" : flowers have blossomed. "Tori ga naku": birds are chirping. "Usagi ga iru": there are rabbits. etc.
- Words related to motions:
"boku- wa-aruku": I walk, "tomodachi wa hashiru": my friend is running.
Class 4 –Ms. Sakamoto Elementary middle grades
Lesson Goals:
- Learn and read about Easter as we practice the correct punctuations.
- Be able to communicate the arrival of Spring in the Northern hemisphere
Class Activities:
- Practice reading and comprehending the transition words by separating words with “/” on the textbook.
- Learn about the tradition of Easter and Easter egg hunts.
Grammar and Vocabulary:
- ~toiu, ~dasoudesu, expressions of second hand knowledge.
- Learn 5 new Kanji weekly
Class 5 (Elementary Senior Grades) - Ms. Ohta
Lesson Goals:
- Understand the meaning of proverbs and idioms, and use them appropriately.
- Become proficient with the reading of the Kanji characters from elementary level 1 to 3 in both On-yomi (by phonetics) and Kun-yomi (by meaning).
- Recognize the names of Kanji parts that make up each character.
Class Activities:
- Study proverbs and idioms.
- Use homonyms and homophones correctly.
- Organize Kanji by their parts.
Grammar/Vocabulary:
- “Neko ni Koban"
Translation: Coins for a cat.
Meaning: Pearls before swine.
“Neko no Te mo karitai"
Translation: I would even borrow a cat’s paw.
Meaning: One is extremely busy to the extent that she would like to get anybody's help.
“Saru mo Ki kara ochiru"
Translation: Even a monkey could fall off a tree.
Meaning: Even Homer sometimes nods.
Homophones ... Wear (kiru) vs. Cut (also kiru)
Sanzui - A Kanji part meaning water that is used for words such as pond, ocean, lake and swim, etc.
Class 6 (SAT/AP Prep) – Ms. Miyajima
Every student gave his/her best at the class presentation in March despite the last minute script change.
This month, we will give more attention to the AP Japanese test that's scheduled for Wednesday, May 6. Now that they have been introduced to an overview of the AP test last month, the students will be taking a practice test for two and half hours this month. Even though less than half of the students are taking the test, it will also be beneficial for non-test takers to become familiar with the test. Since AP’s Kanji for the third grade level (208 characters) has been covered, we will include Kanji from 1st and 2nd grade level in our practice.