Our PEACE Week has been concluded. As a recap, we look back at the activities that we had from Monday to Wednesday.
On Thursday, June 23rd, we commemorate the Okinawa PEACE MEMORIAL DAY (慰霊の日).
Last week, Friday, we had a PEACE ASSEMBLY. Prior to that day, we ask our students a question: “What does peace mean to you?” We asked them to think and present their answers.
Below is the video of our event.
After that, we had play time in each classroom with K1 and K2 as partners. They played musical chair and newspaper dance.
Then, in the afternoon, G9 friends came. They observed Kindergarten a month ago and came up with different toys that thought are appropriate and interesting for them.
True enough, they had fun. As everyone agreed on, PEACE means HAPPINESS. Let’s continue to be peacemakers Kinder friends. ☮️
This year, Okinawa commemorates 50 years of reversion from American rule to being part of Japan again. Thus, we did many activities about PEACE in Kinder. 慰霊の日がある今週は、平和週間として、戦争や平和について考えるアクティビティを行っています。
K1 friends listened to many stories, made their dove craft and drew their peace art.
K2 friends also did many activities about PEACE. We started with a story.
Then, we had activities like “Friends Around the World”, “Are you a peace maker or peace breaker?” and “Helping Each Other during the war in Okinawa”.
After that, we learned the money of Japan, America, Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan.
Then, we used money during our Special Activity when they used yen to enjoy buying pizza and ice cream, watching the aquarium and zootopia, and playing the traditional Japanese games and ring toss. 今年は、沖縄県にとって本土復帰５０年にあたる年ということで、円やドルを使い、戦前、戦後、本土復帰の県民のくらしを体験型アクティビティを通して学びました。
G5 friends also came to share with us the craft that they have learned from TAIWAN FRIENDS. G5 students explained that the Taiwan students taught Amicus students in the past how to make it. It’s all about connecting with other people in different countries, working together to create peace and passing on traditions. They enjoyed making and playing Kendama together. **The blue bird is a blue magpie (the national bird of Taiwan) in the picture is one of the gifts that we received from our Taiwan friends last year.***
In addition, Okinawa Peace Memorial Day (慰霊の日) is always celebrated every June 23rd. Today, we hope that you can find quiet time to remember the past, celebrate the present and hope for a more peaceful life in Okinawa and the whole world. 今日は、慰霊の日です。この３日間子どもたちは、子どもたちなりに、平和について感じ、考えています。ぜひ、ご家庭でもお話してみてください。
Also, we have PEACE ASSEMBLY on Friday, June 24th, 2022. Please don’t forget to let your child wear their Formal Uniform on that day. **Some Kinder friends already brought their FORMAL UNIFORM and kept them in school. ２４日（金曜日）は平和集会を行います。子どもたちに忘れずにフォーマルユニフォームを持たせてください。
K1s have been learning about animals- their poop, their body parts, and more! After our field trip to Okinawa Zoo we began our Zootopia project. Students made animal dioramas and played in their K1 zoo. It was a fun adventure!
After our beach clean up, our K2 friends move forward with more interest in learning about sea animals.
They practice counting from 1-12 using sea animals matching cards.
We also had a meeting again and we asked them of what they want to learn. Surprisingly, they had lots of questions:
1️⃣ 🦀CRABS – Why are there crabs in the ocean? Why does the crab get inside the hole? Why does the crab eat the sand and make a sand bubble? Is it okay for us to eat crabs? So we learned about different kinds of crabs and made a book.
2️⃣ What are the dangerous sea animals that we need to be careful of when we go to the ocean?
They researched the dangerous sea animals, their attacking techniques, some trivia and first aid.
3️⃣ What do they (sea animals) eat?
We started by asking of their favorite sea animal. They made their art and interview their friends.
Then, they researched about their food and size.
We also played soccer in Art Time and later on, made an aquarium of the sea animals that they have researched.
Seeing this, we planned to go to Churaumi Aquarium to see more sea animals and learn more about them.
We were lucky to have a backyard tour and lecture answering our questions. Since we did not have enough time, some of the answers to our questions were answered via e-mail. So, we continued learning about them in class.
They were also inspired to make their own aquarium.
May is usually the rainy season in Okinawa. This year, we are experiencing it almost everyday. So, K2 friends learned about rain during Story, Art and Music Time 沖縄では５月から梅雨が始まりました。今月は雨に関するいろいろな活動をしています♪
They learned that the rain comes from tiny water forming the clouds in the sky… when the clouds get heavy and big, it rains… So, they went out to check the clouds. ☁☁☁
They really wanted to play outside but it started drizzling so, they also learned a song…
But they also discovered that rain is important to our lives. So, they learned an original poem entitled: “Thank you rain” 😀
Every Monday is ART DAY so, they made their own “teru teru bozu“.
They also made their “Rainy Season Art” ☔
In Music, they also learned a Japanese song: “だから雨ふり” 🎵だから きょうは あめふり🎶
The days might be a little gloomy because of the rain but we are thankful. Thank you rain for providing the water that we need for our everyday living. 雨が続いていますが、それも楽しんで過ごしています♪
Today, we celebrate Children’s Day in Japan. When you look around, you will see a lot of cloth carp streamers that are flown on poles outside of public buildings and private houses to bring luck and good fortune to the children inside. Koifish, or Carp, are believed to be strong, spirited fish and are revered for their determination in fighting as they swim upstream and through powerful waterfalls. Koinobori symbolize the desire for children to become brave and strong individuals. (Source: https://aboutjapan.japansociety.org/kodomo_no_hi_childrens_day_celebration)
Our Kinder friends made their own Koinobori too. First, we did tie dye.
Then, they made their own carp.
We also a big one that is in front of Kindergarten Building. 😉
We wish our Kinder friends strength and happiness in their life. Happy Children’s Day 😀
