Here you are - Friday

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Ireland - after reading

I’m interested in lots of places in Ireland.

They have big nature, different view of coast to Japan’s.

Since they have a long history, they have old castle, too.

They had been a battle for a long time because of religious problem, Protestant and Catholic.

It must be hard for them to insist and keep their faith during the time.

They are brave and amenability.

The battle is not over. It’s just lulled.

However, Ireland people naturally like peace and nature.

They have pub and entertainment like river dance.

They meant me that it’s worth to visit there. 

Posted for Yumi

What is it

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Ear rings from frankfurt - after reading

After reading 1

Jennifer is a quiet, sensible person, and she is a kind sister. Jennifer is sometimes cross with Richard, but she can never say “no” to him. Richard is Jennifer’s brother and he is fifteen years younger than her.

Wendy is Richard’s girlfriend. Richard has had a lot of girlfriends, but he thinks Wendy is very, very special. Wendy couldn’t find Richard after her birthday party, so she went to his sister to ask for help.

Kelly was Richard’s and Wendy’s boss, but he is a criminal. Kelly uses other people for criminal business, so he is inn prison now.
 

February highlights - a slideshow

A month of snow flurries and icy roads, sniffles & sneezes, colds and cold feet!

But also a lovely month to make things - especially chocolates (for the teacher -we like!) and Valentine's cards for loved ones. I think you'll agree, we had a very nice time :)

We really do like milk!

My little class on Friday announced they really did not like milk...and we had to re-write their song a little bit, much to the chagrin of author Patrick Jackson! My class today were very much in favour of cow juice, and were more than happy to sing as loudly as they could.

listen to ‘We really do like milk!’ on Audioboo

I tried to change the lyrics again later, but they refused to sing "I really really really like Jim". Rotters!

Season's greeting: "Sorry, we are leaving - next week"

It's that time of year again when families get shunted around the country at very little notice because daddy's company/employer decided so. Language schools dread the forlorn-looking mums who come into the school apologising profusely. What can you do?

The school manager immediately thinks loss of revenue & agonise; have to change the schedules again.

The teacher sighs and shakes their head; another long-term lanague learning project shot down in flames. A class dynamic now likely to flounder or the other girl in the class will quit without her pal to rely on...Maybe they'll get lucky and find another good school (do I know one near their new neighbourhood in Ehime prefecture??). As the teacher, I can't remember ever being asked to write up a student's learning history/profile for their next school. I could - I've been their teacher for the last xyz years and have put everything they can do (not just names of animals etc - all that invisible learning, "how to" stuff & strategies, confidence) on a plate for them. I'd love to be asked. I'd love to hand over their learning portfolio, all shiney & electronically unbattered & without bits missing. Maybe I invested to much in this class/student again?

So when the conversation in school turns to "So the other teacher can teach your 4 o'clock, half an hour later, and you can start a new toddlers class..." I want to scream. Of course, it will make sense because that solves a car parking issue, means another mum can bring younger son early for the new class on the same day (she likes my class style, too) & anyway I am good with the younger ones...all possibly true. But I have ambitions too, such as getting beyond single vowel phonics with a group & graduating from carpet-based lessons. I want to push my flashcard-eating nightmare class of 5 years ago into taking their YLE Flyers before they are eleven; they can sing & dance as well as read & spell after all.

Am I starting to rant? Sorry!

As a school owner for over a decade, I know we are looking at another sink-hole openning up beneath us at this time of year - been there, got the t-shirt & lost hair over it years ago. I am not emotionally attached to money; I know what comes around comes around; somebody else's prize learner will cross our threshold at random, with a bruised homework book if we are lucky. But that's it, isn't it? Luck. For my school, it's financial. For our students it's a crap shoot...Japan has no regulatory body to approve language schools & there are no industry-wide standards. Too often we are tarred with a dirty brush and assessed by the lowest common denominator. Price? Parking? Personality?

Tomoro reveals a magician's secret - Snapguide

Tomoro came to class with a pack of cards and a magic trick; flummoxed me!

So we made this easy to follow "How to" on the Snapguide app on my iPhone. Very easy - please excuse the typo (mine!) btw.

Check out How to Do a Magic Trick by Jim George on Snapguide.

What do you think of Snapguide? I think it's really cool for explaining a sequence of events.

I really hate milk!

listen to ‘I really hate milk!’ on Audioboo

Black Cat Song

listen to ‘Black Cat Song’ on Audioboo

Akiho's & Mizuki's favourite drink

Check out How to Make the Perfect Cocoa by Jim George on Snapguide.

What's your favourite drink? Share a recipe!

Ran tells a Neverending Story

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The Love of a King - after reading

I read " The Love of a King" and I did after reading #1.

'Edward, Mr Baldwin has just been to see me'
'And what did he say to you, George? '
'He said that you cannot marry Mrs Simpson. '
'Why can't I ? Is it a crime to want to marry ?'
'Don't be stupid. Of course it's not a crime. But the Church won't have this woman as the Queen.' 
'Don't call her "this woman" - her name 's Wallis. I'm going to marry her, and I'll give the crown to you.'
'But I don't want it ! It's your job to be King, not mine ! I've never wanted to be King.'
'But someone has to be King, George. And it will have to be you because I can't live without Wallis, or without love.'
'Love ! You must put your country before love ! If you marry her, I never want to see you again. '
'But you will come to my wedding, won't you, George? '
'No, I won't. I don't like that woman, and I don't want to see her as your wife.'

I have never heard this story before. I am envious of Edward and Wallis, because they could meet each other and got real love. I hope so, too.

Posted for Yuri

Red Dog - after reading

I enjoyed reading "Red Dog" while thinking of my dog (white one). She gives my parents and me a lot of works, but cannot hate her. I would like to care about all of my dogs as long as possible.

After reading 2.

1. This new girl, Nancy, gets on the bus and sits down on the seat behind the driver, where Red always sits. Red didn't like that at all! First he shows his teeth and then he tries to push her off the seat. We were all laughing.

2. It was difficult getting the claws out, but luckily they didn't hit anything important. He's a strong dog, and I think he'll be fine. Next week he'll probably be at a barbecue, stealing somebody's burgers and eating them!

3. Here's that dog again, visiting people in the caravans. I don't like it. This is my truck, and I live here. He'll try and chase me, like all dogs do. When he does, I'll use my bullets on his nose. That's ll teach him a lesson...

4. Don't worry, I know what to do. I'll show this letter to everyone, and tomorrow morning everyone will drive their cars and park in a circle around Mr Gribbage's caravan. The he won't be able to pull your park away.

Posted for Chinasa

Where I live ~ Shinshu, Japan

 Matsumoto Castle Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Shinshu is about 170km north of the capital, Tokyo. It is one of the most beautiful regions in the country.

There is a historic old castle, beautiful blue lakes and large peaceful forests. The historic old castle is one of the most famous castles in Japan.

Our region is famous for it's apples, watermelons, lettuce and peaches. We have some of the best ski mountains in the world, and we also have some of the most relaxing hot springs in the country. Our soba noodles are some of the most delicious in Asia.

Our winters are cold and wet, and it's quite snowy, but our summers are hot, with temperatures around 25
degrees C.

I hope you will have a nice trip.

   Best wishes

Yuya

Ear-rings from Frankfurt - police interview (after reading)

                              On Saturday Richard went to the police about the 'eggs' letter.

Richard: I have something to tell you about the Joe Kelly
Police: Joe Kelly? Go on, Mr Walton, we're listening.
Richard: He's got some stolen jewellery and-
Police: And you and your girlfriend went to Frankfurt to get the jewellery for him, didn't you, Mr Walton?
Richard: Yes, we did, but the German police asked us to bring it back. They had a plan---.
Police: Plan? We don't know anything about at plan, but we want this jewellery. Where is it, Mr Walton?
Richard: it's in Kelly's house, in three egg boxes, and --
Police: How do you know it's in Kelly's house?
Richard: Because I saw a letter in his office. And he's meeting some people at his house at eleven o'clock.
Police: Eleven o'clock? Right. You wait here, Mr Walton. We'll talk to you later.

Posted for Reiko

Chocolate - after reading

I've read "Chocolate" and I chose after reading #4.

Do you agree or disagree with these sentences? Why?
1. People in western contries eat too much chocolate now.
    ->I don't think so. I think chocolate is more popular in around the world now, of course Japan also.
2. It is fine for children to eat chocolate sometimes.
    ->It is not good for children to eat a lot of chocolate because they will get fat, but I think that they eat it a few pieces are OK.
3. Chocolate needs to be a lot more expensive. Then the workers on the plantations can get more money.
    ->I disagree this comments because if the chocolate will be more expecsive, it is difficult for people who  are not rich to buy it easily and it will become to reduce cacao demands. Finally the workers will lost their workplace.
4. People must stop selling chocolate that is not Fairtrade chocolate.
    -> I agree. We should know the workers in plantation are faced some problems. I think if people can understand what is the fairtrade (especially developed countries people) the world would be more peaceful.

During I'm reading I wanna eat chocolate!! I was surprised that chocolate has been eaten or drinked since three thousand years ago. I'd like to try their chocolate drink. I think that is quite different taste between current chocolate. The ancient people and present people love chocolate. The chocolate has a power to attract people and some people become be addicted to chocolate! Oh, I found chocolate in my hands!!!!!
Next month, the girl have to buy or make a chocolate to present boys in order to show their love. I disagree this culture since I cannot make sweets. Anyway enjoy eat chocolate :)

Posted for Miyuki

England - after reading

The Romans lived here for 400 years or more.
The Vikings came from Denmark and Norway.
Some of the stones at Stonehenge come from 217Km away in the Preseli mountains in Wales. Others come from 20 or 30 Km away.
In 1066, William of Normandy - the famous William the conqueror- invaded England, bringing French-speaking people to the country.

Take a ferry boat across the Mersey for good views of the waterfront.
You must try fish and chips because it is a traditional food.
Half a million young people go clubbing in England because they enjoy it.
Take long walks across Dorset's high cliffs or along its empty beaches.

Posted for Reiko

Animals in Danger - after reading

I read "Animals in Danger" and I chose after reading #3.

1. Stop the pollution of reivers and the sea.
2. Do not wear clothes made from wild animals.
3. Do not buy medicine made from sild animals.
4. Leave some fish in the sea for dolphins and sharks.
5. Do not buy a wild parrot to have in your home.
6. Ask politicians to make more natonal parks.
7. Give money to animal charities.
8. Walk or go by bicycle, not by car.
9. Eat less meat.
10. Visit good zoo and learn about animals.

I think that the people need to change our living habit to live with wild animals.

Posted for Miyuki

Henry VIII & his Six Wives

Katherine Howard was much younger than Henry.

Anne Boleyn felt calm the day before she died.

Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard died in the Tower of London

Anne Boleyn was beheaded with a sword

Holbein’s job; artist

Anne Boleyn sent Henry a necklace for Elizabeth.

Henry wore yellow when Katherine of Aragon died.

Catherine Parr found letters in a box.

Henry broke with the Catholic Church in Rome.

Henry married six times because he wanted a son.

Thomas Culpeper was Katherine Howard’s lover.

Margaret’s job; maid 

Posted for Yuri