Ten in the Bed - singalong with art/craft functionality!

With mummy

 If you have a good idea - which I rarely do! - then the smartest thing to do is try to do it again, better...or differently, or backwards...and I have actually seen some young learners trying to use scissors backwards, so bear with me!?

Primary Music Box (CUP) is the starting point for this numeracy activity, to go with the  "10 in the Bed" Nursery Rhyme. Obviously, if you have ten or more kids in your class, you can skip this posting! Most language schools, though, usually have up to about 6 in the room - and not a lot of rolling around on the floor room at that!

Confident gluing team

Set about this by numbering the 10 children from the photocopiable resource, and adding a step - using Super Simple Learning's I see something blue/pink songs (still needed two extra verses myself add black & grey). Another excuse to recycle a familiar song/add a 'listening' challenge; depending on the intensity of your colourers, pause between verses?

We made these!

For very young learners this is where the adventure ends, resume next week with the 'bits' cut out - it is very fiddly & time consuming (you'll be re-attaching more arms than it's worth!). For 5/6 year olds plus, should be able to manage the cutting out phase. Do this again with the song so everyone is focused on the same task, not racing away and chopping like fury?

With a small class (2 max!) you might be able to cut as you go yourself, and keep ahead of the next step!

Winking optional!

Whatever glue you use, use sparingly and demonstrate what you want your children to do CLEARLY - prevent eager starters and shut down yapping! Suggest you also do this by nominated colours to prevent chaos/mixed up bits/early finishers/glue everywhere but where it was supposed to be!

Teacher tip; enlarge the set you are making for yourself - fat fingers do not go into the A4 size intended for your nippers!

Count the finger puppets you've all got made now - should be ten! Ask them to find the green/blue orange one etc. Help children getting them all on to digits!

Scissor skills

Press play, and sit together but be able to pause the song at each verse-end; build in a "roll-over" action. Drop ONE finger puppet off and recount the ones remaining. Continue to one ("I'm lonely!" - Give it a hug and ask which colour is left).

Remove table/stand up, have another go without pauses and a 'turn around' action to 'roll over'.

So, think about your class in terms of eye-hand co-ordination (scissors - beware lefties as they will need proper left-handed scissors), how much glue you can cope with on surfaces/are prepared to clean up, time available, for the art/craft bit vs production.

NB Learning the song? Not important - but they'll have heard it & picked up subliminally all lesson if you are good with BGM :)

The Funniest Man

Let me introduce the funniest man in the world. The person who I think is the funniest in the world is Mr. Bean. He is the best of all.

He is always being funny & stupid in films. To me, watching Mr. Bean is like watching a grown-up with a child's brain. He always does something that is unbelievably amazing, and he makes me laugh.

For example, at Christmas, Mr. Bean's friend came around, but Mr. Bean only had a chocolate stick, so he cut a branch and painted it with some kind of black paint, placed it on a plate, and gave it to his friend. I loved this scene very much. I wanted to watch it again and again.

Rowan Atkinson on a Mini at Goodwood Circuit in 2009, demonstrating a famous scene from the Mr. Bean series. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another reason why I love his act is that he sometimes becomes really serious to accomplish his mission. He is also talented at creating a happy atmosphere.

Another example is when he goes to Paris and ruins his own trip. I can't explain with words, but he is the funniest man in the world.

You should watch his films when you are tired of your life! He will make you laugh so much that your mind will be refreshed.

Posted for S.

Information sheet - Izakaya (a Japanese bar) in Japan

No shoes!

• You have to be 20 to drink in an Izakaya. If you look young, sometimes ID card is required.
• Some izakayas will have tatami areas. Be sure to remove your shoes before stepping on the tatami mats.
• Many izakayas will have a locker with wooden keys. Make sure exactly where your locker is.
• While being seated at your table, you will usually find a small white towel, called "Oshibori". You should wipe your hands before eating.
• A lot of izakaya will automatically serve you a small dish when you are first seated. You have to pay a small charge for this dish.
• Many people tend to start with beer. But there are various drink menues in izakayas.
• You are allowed to smoke in izakaya in Japan.
• In izakayas, it is traditional to share the dishes. As a group, sharing each dish by taking small plate.
• When receiving drinks, it is polite to hold the glass with both hands. One hand should be underneath and one on the side.

Posted for Yuki

How has the role of women changed (in your country)?

Write an article for an online magazine about how the role of women has changed in your country and say whether you think these changes are positive or negative.

The roles of women has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. But is it a good or a bad thing?

In the past, women weren't able to do as many things as man were. In almost all countries, women didn't have the right to vote. In Japan, it was taken for granted that ladies would stay home and do all the housework, so none of them went to work. They didn't even have the chance to work even if they had the motivation.

Women in Japan voting (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These days in Japan, many things have changed. Women have more power & rights in today's society. Women can vote. They can also work. Precisely speaking, it is becoming natural for women to work. What is more, they have the same chances of promotion as men. As a result, there are now many female managers, company presidents, and even politicians.

Women's sports have become popular, and have increased recognition. In our country, women's volleyball is more watched than the men's. Our women's soccer team is also very strong, not only in Asia like the men's, but in the World Cup.

Are these changes positive? I personally think that they are. There are about the same number of women as men in the population, which means half the population of the world has been treated badly. Every one of us has the right to live as we like. Everybody should be treated the same way. That is why this alteration is affirmative.

Posted for Toshiya.

Postcard from Iowa, USA

Dear Jim sensei,

How are you? I am always sleepy because of jet lag.

It's good in U.S.A. I meet my friend and spoke English. It was fun.

Yuto

Dear Jim sensei,

How are you? I'm fine. I meet my friends!

I did BBQ with my friends. I bought the t-shirts.

See you. 

Nanako

After reading Secret in the Farmhouse

Write about an act of bravery that you have personally witnessed or experienced.

Every summer, Nippon Television who is one of main television stations broadcasts a program entitled "24 Hour Television".  This program's purpose is to introduce many activity or challenge by disability persons and to collect donations for improving environmental for disability persons.

Main event all through the program "24 Hour Television" is marathon by a talent and this year talent named "Daigo" run 100 km for the finish line at an arena named "Budokan".

At 24 Hour Television, I saw a 13-years old boy who lives in Minowa town, near Ina city, in Nagano prefecture. He has a heart condition and a physical difficulty, and until now, he experienced much pain in 5-times big surgery and in the stay at the hospital and his life has some limits.

But, he is very cheerful person and gave me some brave messages.

• "Someone is tall in height and someone is short in height.  My heart condition and physical difficulty is just individual character and I don't feel sorry for myself."
• "Everyone has something good"
• "I am very happy to just live my life as usual."

I thought he experienced many many hardest things and he overcame his pains at the age of just 13-years old. Our difficulty is not of matter compared with the hardest things he may experienced.
I was impressed with his kind/bravery message and his family including his younger 5-years brother.

Students' Bon Bon posters

Yuto's poster

This is a Chouchin, which is used for make bright at night a long time ago. Now they put electric light in it  but in the past they put candles in it and lit the candle.

Matsumoto bonbon is when people dance, sing, eat and drink. Matsumoto Bon Bon is in August

Nanko's poster

.

Takoyaki is an octopus ball; it tastes very good.

Yakisoba is noodles fried with vegetables. It tastes delicious.

Eyes wide shut - a nervous passenger

Photo credit: Jim George

Is there someone you know who drives badly? Write about a trip you made with them when you were afraid.

A few years ago, I went hiking with my friends. One of my friend drove to the mountain.

She drove fast. Her car’s seats were lower than mine. I felt the ground is close to me. I felt a little scare when I sat the seat.

There were a lot of curve on the way to the mountain. But she didn’t drive slowly when she drove curving road. I was afraid. Because one side of the road was cliff. And some time suddenly oncoming vehicle was appear from the rock. I couldn’t say “Please drive slowly” to her. Because she looked happy and she said “ I love to drive curving road!”

I tried to smile and I put a force with my legs.

I enjoyed hiking. But I felt tire than usual. And I haven’t got on her car after that. If I go hiking with her, I try to get on another car.

We went hiking last month. But I got on another car. She drove in front of ours. But soon we couldn’t see her car. We talked “Sorry to her car’s people. We drove carefully.”

Posted for Yuri

Postcard from New York, USA

Jim-sensei,

It's my last night in New York City. I'm writing this at hotel lobby. I walked around NYC this time. It was sunny & good for walking.

Tomoko

Jim-sensei,

I will transfer to Chicago to have our meeting with a new customer. This trip is the longest stay (10 days) in U.S. for me. I'm getting tired, but I'd like to enjoy the stay!

Chinasa

The Phantom of the Opera - another letter to the Persian

To my friend to my only friend

I have been hungry and disired for love,　and now I found it at last. I don`t want anything anymore. Now I don`t regret anymore. 

I was born with scaring face. It`s not mother`s fault I know. But my mother scared me,never watched my face and never kissed me. Then she would like hate me gradually. 

I prefered and admired beautiful things,buildings,art, music and so on. I made my house in the deep underground of the Opera House secretly. And I remade some secret passages to be able to move freely. I could enjoy watching stageplays as a invisible man.

I have been satisfied this life till I found my Angel, Christine Daae. I was fascinated her voice like songs from heaven. I loved her passionately, then I wanted to marry her.

I tried to eliminate ones to interrupt my action without mercy. 

Some time she was going to leave the Opera House for love.

Desparately I took her away from stage and forced her to marry me, you knew that. She said “yes”,and she kissed me voluntarily. 

Then the world changed. I lost the reason to stay here, to live more. 

I will go somewhere never been in. 

Good-bye friend. I`m sorry and thank you for everything.

Eric

Posted for Misako

The Phantom of the Opera - what really happened

Erik was unhappy man. He has terrible ugry face. Even her mother never kissed him. She gave him his first mask when he was two years old. She turned her face away from him every time. 

But Christine put her arms around Erik's neck and she kissed him. That was his first kiss from a waman. That was why. He decided she would set free. and Erik wanted to die. He did not want to live any longer. He thought it makes her to be free.and to be happy. He killed himself. 

After that Raoul and Christine married and were happy. 

But they never came back to Paris. and never singing Margarita.

Posted for Yoko

The Phantom of the Opera - a letter to the Persian

To the Persian

I am leaving this letter for you, because once you were my friend. Now, of course, I have only enemies. People scream when they see my face. I am clever, it is true, but no woman can ever love me. And how can a man live without love?

When I was a child, I was very unhappy. My mother never kissed me. She didn't want to look at me because I was so ugly. And years later, when I was a man, I did many terrible things. I know that, and I am free now. But I did one sorry thing in my life. Christine is wonderful. She can marry the Vicomte and be happy.

But I can never forget her good voice, and I cannot live without her.

And so, goodbye.

Erik

Posted for Reiko

Independence Day - schoolgirl's experience in San Diego

I have not cruised for a long trip, but I have a good memory that I’ve seen fireworks from a ship.
It was fun, so let me write down the experience here.

I’ve been to a city, called Oceanside, near to San Diego, USA. My host family had a neighbor in good relation. My host family had four children, and the youngest girl was about 20 years old. The neighbor had two boys, and the oldest boy was the same age as her. They were friends from childhood, so it might also bond their parents.

The neighbor had a ship which is about 5 meter long in the port of San Diego.

There are fireworks to celebrate independence on 4th of July every year. The neighbor invited us to see the fireworks from their ship. It was my first time to join the celebration of independence date, so I was excited.

The view of port was amazing with white clean ships. I strongly felt it was beautiful because I was grown up in mountain side. On the ship, we had a couple of glasses of wine, and saw fireworks on the ship. Everything was new to me who was from mountain side in Japan. I enjoyed the atmosphere, and appreciated the neighbor that I could experience one of American customs.

I hope to see the fireworks from a ship again.

Posted for Yumi

An honest appraisal of a commuter's driving skills

I think I am bad driver.

Every weekday, I am usually ready to go to the office 13-15 min. before starting an operating time.

We had waked up earlier (ex, 15 min. earlier) in order to get ready to go to the office earlier. I left my house just 2-3 min. earlier because my preparation became slowly without realizing.

So, I gave up to waking up earlier.

To get back to talking about bad driver, due to late preparation, I need to hurry and usually increase speed and sometimes stop quickly.

That is, I have no time to stop for a car oncoming lane or a person who wants to cross the road without crosswalk and to stop at a point where a yellow light is flashed.

Near work, there are 2 schools, and many students are walking in my commuting line. One time, I almost got into an accident. I am always afraid that I may have a car accident some day.

In Matsumoto, it is difficult for us to live without car. In order to keep my car license and to be good driver, I am trying to shorten the time of my preparation.

Name withheld!

Mallorca mystery

After Hannah went back to England, she goes to university to be a biologist.  She spent the special holiday in Mallorca Island and cannot forget about the beautiful blue sea.  At the same time, she regretted that she could not do anything for dead seal which she saw at the beach.  She wanted to help it, but she did not know anything about animals living in sea.

She has another reason.

During she spent holiday with her friend Joe, she felt her job at bank is really boring.  She finds her job is just for her money not for anyone else.  On the other hand, Joe studies Spanish literature at university.  Hannah wanted to study on what she is interested in and it would be better if her study could help other people.  After she could be a biologist, she wanted to work together with Ramon.
He is working for Spanish coast guard and she thought she could help him for protect the beautiful blue sea.  Through the experience that Ramon and Hannah went into the cave, she thought two people could do a greater job than only one person.

Posted for Tomoko

Hiroshi's 'Strange' Holiday - after reading...

This is a story in the summer two years ago. I went drinking with my friends when I went to my home town. The place we drunk was far from my house in my home town. So I left for there by train. We enjoyed our reunion after a long time while drinking. So I forgot the time the latest train leaves.

After drinking, I decided to go home by taxi in the end since the latest train had left. However, I did not use taxi till my house to save the cost of a taxi ride. I decided to walk after getting down from taxi on the way. I walked along the railway. There are not anyone in the way to my house since it was the midnight. It was very dark and silent.

It was the night even the only dog did not bark.

However, I suddenly could hear the strange noise. That was the sound like someone hit the rail way at many times. I looked around, but there are not anyone. The noise continued for a few second. I shouted from fear. Then the noise stopped. When I tried to start walking as relieved, I found something surprised. There were some bunch of flowers by my foots. Those were offered for the dead men by traffic accident there. I could not breath in surprised at the moment. I start running in rush.

Posted for Hiroshi

Dodgy neighbours - suspicious Miyuki

Which of your neighbours could be a master criminal? 

I think the neighbour in next to right side could be a master criminal.

The family is really strange for me and I suppose there is secret in their house. I heard the father is normal office worker but he drives high class car such as Mercedes, Lexus. In addition, he often changes the luxury car. Their children went to high school in China. I think there is a secret to earn money.

The oldest boy has a child and they lived together with their parents. The child is small but I cannot hear any voice or crying from the house. I have never seen a child. Normally, I can hear any voice from house where is child. It is really strange for me.

I'm wondering if the house has thick wall with good quality.

As there are people can speak Chinese, they could contact with China and import or export some goods illegally. Just imagine..

So, I think they could be a master criminal.

Posted for Miyuki

Seven - book review

This book is about detectives who find a clue to the last deadly sin, Envy...I think the most exciting and most aggressive part is when the assistant shoots the murderer, Doe, in the head.

The story is about a crazy-minded man being jealous of happy people and kills seven of them, leaving Deadly Sins' names somewhere. The given sins' names are related to the case of the person who was murdered. There are seven different ways of killing the victims, but I'm not going to say how they die because if so, the stroy will be ruined.

I loved the idea of using the seven deadly sins' names. It was amazing & fresh. I also loved the way of killing people and the backgrounds of the victims. What I didn't like so much was that it was a little bit too bloody & I think the book is not suitable for kids.

I my opinion, this book was written for teens, and bloody scenes are required, so maybe you'll like it.

Posted for Shimei.

We painted the town red - Bon Bon in full Luna colour!

The Grande Depart

 Aching limbs, hoarse voices and stuck on smiles? Sure signs you've been dancing around the town again!

We circled our wagons as the traffic stopped on Eki Mae dori, just after 5pm on Saturday evening, and waited for our red wave to arrive. Busy process then getting name tags secured around children's wrists - we nearly lost a little girl a few years ago & I can't tell you how scary that was. Distributing fans which our students delighted in creating last week, and a bandana to top off the costume.

A Luna Dervish

Important to get dads, especially, in the mood with amber throat charming juice, and network a bit - one of Yamaga's star players came over to say hello, as did a couple of the Yamaga die-hards - good on you guys!

The music started bang on time and we were away, looking fresh and keen...away from the main festival that is, up the main drag into matsuri hinterland. Once again, no crowds, stalls, or mood. Who cares - over 70 of us this year so we entertained ourselves royally, and had a good practice so by the time we did turn in towards the main action, we were on a roll. As you can see from the slideshow here, everyone had a superb time - and almost everyone kept going from start to finish. Awesome stamina.



Proud of all our dancers; the festival is all about you, and you made this year very special. Of course thank yous to all parents and grandparents who looked after us along the way & especially Yukari for dealing with all the unglamorous preparations.

We totally conquered Matsumoto - again!

Find all the photos from Matsumoto Bon Bon 2015 right here