Travel to the Stars

I am Kogi Hirabayashi. I’m Japanese. I’m high school student, 17 years old. I live in Nagano prefecture, the place is countryside. I love space and watch the stars. I can see beautiful stars sometimes. It is special time for me.

Our country is no building and no bright lights. Only mountains. So the stars are especially beautiful. I have one younger sister, Miho. When I watched the stars, Miko certainly beside me. I want to become an astronaut. A trip on a spaceship is excited for me. I like to study galaxy and astronomy. Moho likes UFO stories. She wants to read some UFO books. The day was especially bright at night. The stars were all over the sky. I hope to watch a meteor stream and Miho hopes to appear UFO. We are both dreamer. What happen tonight?

Posted for Yoko.

Tennis Talents

I`m Yoko. I`m 63 years old. Now my hobby is playing tennis. When I was forties I was buzy to child care and working office everyday. So I have no hobby. A friend invited me "Let`s go to tennis school together. It is city-run. It is cheap!" That was starting to my pleasure.

I could make new friends for tennis. Because playing tennis could not only one. It was necessary to belong a group. Now I`m playing tennis twice a week indoors. Sweat is good for my physical condition. But I had some practical problems. Playing skill could not advanced! I gave up! and I changed my mind. It`s better to enjoy. So we are able to do for all ages. I`m enjoying to play a game of tennis now.

Posted for Yoko.

The Phantom of the Opera - Yoko's alternative ending

Erik was dead. Raoul and Christine and Persian did not talk to anyone lifetime about that terrible night of the event. Raoul and Christine got married. Their cute child was born. Christine who has a wonderful voice never sang in the Opera House. She sang for only husband and a child with love. They lived happily ever after. The Persian told that Erik was dead to the King of Persia. The Persian did not return to the King. And he lived calmly throughout the life. In the Opera House in Paris, the people still talked about the ghost. A few of the singers and dancers said ‘we had seen a strange man who always wore a black cloak and wore a white mask over his face.’ Box Number 5 is still empty. Nobody sits down the Box Number 5. But when somebody put a program on a chair in the Box, there is always 20 francs on the chair after a performance.

Posted for Yoko

Meeting my pen pal for the first time - Yoko

An informal e-mail to a family member, describing your internet pen friend after meeting them for the first time. Can you guess which pen pal each student has written about?

From: Yoko
To: Kaori

Subject: My Internet pen pal

Today I met her! I imagine her so beautiful I was right. She has black wavy hair and nice round eyes and very pretty smile.

She was waiting at Starbucks cafe. I ordered cafe late, she did too. Her talk was really nice and we laughed and laughed and talked each other.

I think we're going to get on.
The day was nice!

Yoko

A student draws Paradise Beach

The beach was long and wide. The sea was calm and the waves crashed gently on the shore, where you could see sea shells and crabs. There were many palm trees on the beach and the coconuts they had dropped were lying about. An expensive-looking yacht was sailing towards the beach and a few small fishing boats lay by the water's edge, their nets drying in the sun. The sun shone brightly and there were only a few small clouds in the sky.

Posted for Yoko

Northanger Abbey - A letter to a dear friend

My dear Eleanor

I am very happy to read your letter. I want to see your young, very handsome and very rich man. Where were you meet a valuable man? I wish you every happiness! And I'm relieved to hear your Father's agree. I'm in love with Henry. I want to marry Henry. I want to meet him soon. And it's nice sound "Let's be married on the same day" I'm looking forward to our marriage. Where does we get married in the summer? Where do you want to get married? I can not sleep well tonight in excitement. And I will wait Henry's letter. I talk my parents immediately. I think they are as happy as me.

Your dearest friend,

Catherine Morland

Posted for Yoko

Story telling in the future tense - Predicting Matt's future

As a final writing task after practising using 'will' & 'going to' for future predictions, I set up a creative writing task to make predictions about the futures of 4 high school friends, using the visual prompts on the worksheet to help them generate ideas. Do you agree with the examples of 'will' & 'going to' in these texts?

Matt's future:

Matt isn't going to graduate the high school. He wanted to become an actor. He was hopeful, but his parents felt sad.

At first, he is going to audition for a commercial. He won't get a job. Reality was strict. He is going to get a part time job and he is going to study at an acting school for 2 years. One day he is going to get a small role in TV drama. He was very happy.

He is going to become very popular. He is going to get main role in TV drama series after three years

Finally he is going to move to Hollywood. He is going to get main role in some movie. Now he is going to become super star. Dream come true! He get much money and become a big name.

Posted for Yoko

The Last Leaf and Other Stories - Detective's diary

I looked a happening in my presence. May, the sister`s older child, had closed the door of the strong-room. Then she had turned all the knobs. But the other child, Agatha, was inside the strong-room. Agatha is Annabel` sister. Nobody has chosen the numbers for the lock！Jimmy Valentine is now Ralph. D. Spencer. and he is going to marry the banker`s daughter, Annabel. Every family doesn`t know he was safe-cracker. Ralph looked a happening with Annabel`s family. and Ralph became Jimmy Valentine. Jimmy used special tools and cutting into the steel door. after that Jimmy pulled the big handle and the door opened. The child was safe, she was not hurt. Jimmy said to me "Arrest me" But I looked at Annabel and her family.They were all crying quietly. Jimmy helped Agatha and family. Family thanked for Jimmy. Family was confused the happening. So I decided not to arrest he.

Posted for Yoko

Picture Puzzle - Well Done!!

Young girl solved a mystery!! She is Amy Bates. It was Friday in a large shopping mall. Amy ran throught the crowd of people in the mall. She ran towards the boy, Pete. Amy pushed a film cassette into his hand. and she ran away. A minute later a big man was looking for her. Photo was a picture of two men. One of them was a big man, Wallace. One of them was Zetter`s lawyer, Ronald Thurber. He was giving to Wallace a thick brown envelope. Zetter was a bad person in prison. It was well-known in this town.

It is Amy`s story 「On Tuesday I saw Wallace talking to Ronald Thurber in churchyard. Wallace works at that prison. She heard "Bring the money here at nine o`clock on Friday morning. After that, I`ll help Zetter" I took a picture of the two men this time. But Wallace saw me. and I ran away .」

In the end, the police officers found £50000 in Wallace`s flat.

Posted for Yoko

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - A letter to your teacher

To Mrs. Douglas

I’m sorry to run away from home without saying. My father locked me in a cabin. But I escaped from the cabin. And I went Jackson’s island on canoe. I met Jim there. I was frightened. Please don’t scold Jim. Jim wanted to be free. Our adventure started from there.

We found a strong raft. And we intended to go to the Free State on the raft. The great Mississippi River was taking us away from St Petersburg. We prepared meals and had a long talk. We were very happy.

Various things happened. Two white men running away to us. They were the Confidence Tricksters. In a small town they pretended to be another person, and cheated the money out of the girls. But I took the money and hided it. So the money was safe. The white man sold Jim. But I could meet Jim again. Surprisingly, I met Tom Sawyer there. The adventures were splendid for me.

Huckleberry Finn

Posted for Yoko

Jane Eyre - A letter to a kind teacher

Dear Miss Temple,

I have very good news to tell you. One day I was walking on the moor. Suddenly, I heard a voice. The voice was calling my name- 'Jane! Jane! Jane!' That was Mr Rochester's voice. So I left Moor House, went to Thornfield Hall. But this was burnt, nobody was living there. I heard "He is living at Ferndean". Now I am living at Ferndean with Mr Rochester. I was able to marry Mr.Rochester. Now he is blind, and he have only one hand, because of house fire. I loved him very much at Thornfield Hall, but now I love him more. we have one first child. we are very happy. I want to meet you, and want to talk many. Please come to our house to see us, and to see our child.

Thank you Miss Temple

 Jane Eyre

Posted for Yoko

The Three Musketeers - The Hundred Years' War

The Hundred years’ War was from 14century to 14century. The war continued for about one hundred years with several intervals. The beginning of the War was Edward Ⅲ, king of England, pretended to the French throne. And he sent an army to France. It was just one reason of many things. One of other reasons was that England and France had contended for supremacy of woolen industry in Frandre district. First England was strong and superior for many years, but French girl Jeanne D’arc who had heard the words of God appeared, led French army and relieved Orleans from long siege by England. She is a historic heroine in France but her life was very short. She was soon arrested and was execution by burning. About her life many novels and films had been made. At all England lost possessions in France.

Posted for Yoko

Reminiscing about a holiday - after reading The Long Tunnel

When I was highschool student, My friend asked some of friends to working in Tugaike. My friend's relative ran a guest-house in Tugaike. Tugaike was famous ski area. They wanted to working students during winter holiday. I imagined we could enjoy in winter after working. My friends thought so. We had pleasure to go there . But we guessed wrong. We had been swamped with work all day long. We were very tired. After working we could not out freely. We were under age. Resort earea had many temptations. My friend's relative had a sense of responsibility to us. So during working in Tugaike we could not enjoy. Of course no skiing. But it was important experience for us. "Life isn't as easy as you think"

Posted for Yoko

After-reading - A trip to England

I visited to England in October from 10th to 17th 2014, with my friend Junko. It was JTB (travel agent) group tour. Fright was Virgin Atlantic from Narita to Heathrow. We stayed 2 days in Manchester, next 2 days were in Coventry, last 2 days were in London. The first day We went to Haworth in Yorkshire. Bronte sisters are famous. We visited their home and walked the town. felt nostalgia. Old drugstore I bought mint soups. It was nice. and moved to The Lake District. There were very beautiful area. We could take a ship in Windermere Lake. We went for walked lakeside, and went to Peter Rabbit 's shop. I bought a picture book for my doughter. Of couse the weather changed to rain.

Next day We moved Liverpool. visited Liverpool Cathedral. and went to The Cavern Club. When The Beatles were not famous they played here everynight, the stage still now and visited Chester Cathedral. We bought souvenir at the Rows. The Rows were very old a two-story building. Street was very nice!

Next day We moved Cotswolds visited three small villages. William Morris said 'Here is most beautiful village in England' to Bilberry. Still now beautiful. And moved to Stratford-upon-Avon. We could visit the Shakespeare's house.The day was raining, so we took a rest in the tea shop during freetime. After dinner we went to Tesco near the hotel, it was big supermaket. Enjoyed shopping! Next day we visited the Roman Bath, World Heritage and saw Stonehenge too! There were mysterious and miraculous stones. Before I watched some photo, people touched stones, but now we could not touch with ropes.

Last was London! we visited British Museum. There were many artistic goods from all over the world. Very exciting! And watched Bigben, Westminster Abbey. We had a plan to afternoon tea in the Orangery Kensington palace, but restrant had another reservation. It was very sorry to us, too bad! We changed another hotel's tea. Palace's museum shop was very interesting. We bought Prince George's memorial plates for sale! This afternoon we went to Liberty shop, Junko love making handcraft, a desire to go! We enjoyed shopping in Regent Street. We wanted to go Harrods but no time to went and we wanted to stay more one day in London! Almost night we went to hotel's Bar  drank local draft beer. Very very good England beer! Hotel's breakfast were very nice and we could eat Roastbeef, Fish and chips, cottage pie, afternoon tea. We enjoyed English foods. I think trip is enrich our life. England travel was good experience for me!

Posted for Yoko

Musically inspired postcards - Yoko

Dear Damian

I have holiday one week from yesterday. This letter is from Hawaii island.

Today I went to beach with boyfriend. Weather was sunny and sea was blue and clear.

We enjoy our vacation. I will buy souviner for you.

See you

From Yoko

After-reading - An e-mail to Queen Elizabeth

Dear Queen of England Elizabeth

You are afraid to let me go free because I have friends in England. The English Catholics want me to be Queen of England. not you.

But I don't want to so.

Before I asked you for help, but you didn't give me your army. Then the Earl of Moray told lies about me. Bothwell and I didn't kill Darnley! It's true! Really true!!

Scotland people don't want a Catholic Queen. They want a Protestant king, a king like James.

And Moray and his friends killed Riccio and stole my husband Bothwell and my son.

Elizabeth!  Do you know what to do?   Really to do?

Would you please talk James the true story?

Please think about England and Scotland. we are Queens.

Please let me go free!

I want to go back to Scotland!

and I want to see James alive!

 Mary

Posted for Yoko

After reading - an angry letter

I write to tell you, Josef, that your wife is dead. On Christmas night the guards shot her on the road at the border. She carried Pavel - your baby son,and my grandson- on her back.

Pavel was saved by a miracle. I thought Lenka protected her son. I loved Lenka very much - my valuable daughter. I was bereaved of my beloved daughter. Your 'friends' came and told me yesterday. 

You have Jan,and a new life in England. You took one grandson away from me and now my daughter is dead - because of you !! I never liked your work for freedom. I didn't understand. You were dangerous person for us. I just wanted a quiet family life.

Now What do I have? I only have Pavel!! I can't live after this without Pavel. I want live with Pavel as long as I live!! Don't worry about Pavel. Don't worry about me.

Don't write to me, and Don't write to Pavel, and Don't come back to Prague. I never want to see you or hear from you again.

Stanislave

Posted for Yoko

After reading - the true villain

I think the true villain of story was the Duke of Holdernesse. He had deep darkness.The Duke talked to Sherlock Homes to own story.

"When I was a young man. I was in love . I wanted her to be my wife . but she died. She left me this one child. and I loved him because of her. But a goverment minister cannot tell the world about a love-child like this. so to the world ,James is my young secretary, not my son"

Mr James knows that the Duke is his father.and He hate the Duchess and hates his younger son Arthur. Arthur has everything, Arther has a name. a famous father, house, money, everything. James has nothing. and he wants to be the Duke of Holderness one day. That‘s not possible. of course,but James can`t understand

And next he kidnaped his younger son Arthur with Hayes. and unhappy the German teacher followed them. so someone killed him. Hayers? James? Of couse James was a bad boy. Hayes was bad person too! But really, The cause of the kidnapping and murder was the Duke` self-defense. I think so! 

Posted for Yoko

Remember remember, the menu of November

I realize we are already into December, but due to a bi-monthly class I haven't been able to share this work until now. With many festivities and celebrations occurring over the months of November and December, there has been a running theme where we have touched on Halloween, Guy Fawkes Day, Christmas to name but a few.

Japanese people tend to be big on food, so I was expecting great things from my class when I asked them to design a night time menu to go along with while watching fireworks on Bonfire Night. Definitely beats a jacket potato or a greasy burger!

Yoko's selection

Reiko's hearty menu

Misuzu' has her priorities right, hot wine only!

Misako's comfort food

Creative writing - "You"

Creative writing exercises provide a scope for thinking outside the box and coming up with some fantastic imagery, as the following poems will demonstrate!
The poems are based on individuals that we either love or hate, titled "You", and the parameters of the poem was to describe them under random topics such as a kind of food, a means of transport, an article of clothing, and so on, combined with a fitting adjective. Let me know what poems/imagery/similes you enjoyed reading!

You are a tough meat.

You are a strong gale.

You are an old fixed big desk.

You are a reckless riding horse.

You are an old moth-eaten shirt.

You are a creaky staircase.

You are sludgy brown.

You are boiling end of June.

Misako

You are like a sweet and milky melon.

You are sometimes typhoon and always the sun.

You are sometimes broken wardrobe.

You are sometimes uncontrollable dumper truck and sometimes slowly turtle.

You are a warm mitten.

You are the bright lamp light.

You are always a soft pink and sometimes dark blue.

You are peaceful and mild May.

Reiko

You are a bad smell blue cheese.

You are heavy lightning.

You are over decorated chair.

You are a big limozin car driving big American road.

You are always thin under wear.

You are a golden lion shape door knocker.

You are too shiny orange.

You are crazy hot August.

Misuzu

You are strong straight wiskey.

You are clear blue sky.

You are a heavy table.

You are a damaged old bicycle.

You are a heavy warm coat.

You are a strong roof.

You are deep green like a turtle.

You are warm the beginning of spring.

Yoko