This week at school we had World Maths Day. Each school registers and then the students have a 48 hour period to answer Maths questions on-line. They can play against students from all over the world. My class competed against students from Canada, India, Hong Kong , Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. They also competed against students from CA. Most loved it and continued at home, some played a few games but preferred to complete other Maths work. There was also a World Spelling Day and most of the students entered that competition as well.
The first week back at school after winter break was Japan Week. The Japanese Department organized lots of wonderful activities. The ESOL pullout classes got to go to Japanese classes that week, so they didn’t miss out on the fun. It all started on Tuesday morning when the Taiko drumming group played on the front steps of the School. That was a great welcome back. Later in the day we tried our hand at Shodo and practised with Shodo pens and ink. We wrote Happy New Year or The Year of the Rabbit in Kanji. On Wednesday we learned about Origami and how to fold a paper crane. Mine looked like a pterodactyl rather than a crane but I added it with the other pieces of origami to a huge collage outside the Japanese classrooms. The Japanese teachers organized a “My Japan” photography competition. I entered this photo but I think I should have entered the one bellow it.
One Thursday we all had a chance to try Mochi pounding. It is not as easy as it looks because you have to avoid hitting the side of the barrel or any bystanders and still hit the mochi with lots of force. I took lots of photos, here are a few.
Some heavy, accurate Mochi pounders
After all the pounding, we got to eat the mochi with either powdered soy or soy sauce. I like mochi with both.
In the afternoon, we went to the auditorium to hear a storyteller tell Japanese stories. He was Canadian so he told the stories in English. They were all really funny stories and everyone laughed right through the show.
The last day of Japan Week was Friday. We had to wear something Japanese. Some decided to wear Hanshin Tiger t-shirts and others wore full Japanese yakata, happy coats or kiminos. All the Japanese teachers were dressed beautifully in their kimonos.
We all had our photo taken on the steps of the School and then went to the Japanese classrooms to play traditional games. There is a really funny game that’s like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” but it is much funnier. People have to be blindfolded and put parts of the face on a picture of a woman.
Other groups played with a wooden ball and had to get it onto the top of the holder. It was impossible, I tried it lots of times but couldn’t do it. I saw Ji Wan succeed twice.
Other people played with tops, sumo wrestling games and lots of other things.
Everyone had a great time during the week and we send our thanks to the Japanese Department for their work.
