In our current TDL theme, we have been studying about Earth’s cycles circadian rhythms. 

One thing that we have been investigating is the idea that our body is better at certain things at different times of the day. So we put it to the test to see for ourselves.

We tested our reactions, strength and coordination once in the morning, and again in the afternoon to see if there were any differences. 

Our activities were:

• Catching a ball with alternating hands
• Dropping a ruler and catching it as quick as possible
• Holding on to a bar in the park for as long as possible (not shown in the photos)

The students really enjoyed seeing the limits of their bodies in these three categories. So much so that they want to practice and improve each of these traits!

According to our research, our bodies should perform better later in the day; our results generally confirmed this to be true: we found the students did actually perform better in the afternoon.

sdr

Today Grade 2 went to the Water System Memorial Hall.

We received a lecture about where Kumamoto’s water comes from, how much we use in our daily lives, and ways to save water.

Grade 2 students were able to try three different types of water and try and guess which one was from Kumamoto. 

Next, our guides took us through the complex to see what kind of water pumps Kumamoto uses.

Finally, we went to the memorial hall to see what the old pumps and pipes looked like, as well as to learn about what kind of work went into fixing the water system after the Kumamoto Earthquake. 

After we thanked our guides, we met up with the Grade 1 class at the Water Science Museum. We had a picnic in the park and played on the swings there for a while until it was finally time to leave.

The students were very well behaved riding public transport despite being in transit over an hour.

All Grade 2 students really enjoyed the experience and have taken away a wealth of knowledge about Kumamoto’s water system.

In June, we began to offer the KIS Buyten store. Each day at the end of school, students are able to choose from a wide selection of fresh-made bread for consumption during snack time. All items are made fresh of natural ingredients with minimal preservatives by the the local bread shop, March.

March happens to be located almost adjacent to our Picasso preschool division, which means that many items are still warm when the students eat them. Melon bread, cheese bread, sausage bread, and the rice balls with chicken are current favorites among students (and staff).

All items cost ¥150 (including tax) and allow students to purchase nutritious, fresh snacks of their choosing. In addition to making life easier for our busy parents, we are excited to offer the Buyten because of the opportunity it provides to all students to learn about the value of money and making intelligent shopping decisions.

In June, we began to offer the KIS Buyten store. Each day at the end of school, students are able to choose from a wide selection of fresh-made bread for consumption during snack time. All items are made fresh of natural ingredients with minimal preservatives by the the local bread shop, March.

March happens to be located almost adjacent to our Picasso preschool division, which means that many items are still warm when the students eat them. Melon bread, cheese bread, sausage bread, and the rice balls with chicken are current favorites among students (and staff).

All items cost ¥150 (including tax) and allow students to purchase nutritious, fresh snacks of their choosing. In addition to making life easier for our busy parents, we are excited to offer the Buyten because of the opportunity it provides to all students to learn about the value of money and making intelligent shopping decisions.

On June 12th, both Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes went to the Aso Milk Farm for our first field trip of the year. It was a great day to go, with temperatures nice and cool for most of the morning. It was a long bus ride but the students were very patient.

Our first activity was inside in a classroom. Students were taught about how humans raise cattle. They were especially surprised to hear that cows would eventually become beef!
Next, the students were able to feed some of the cute cows stationed on the farm, and even see a large pregnant cow. She was massive indeed!

Our next stop was the sheep race where we all got to bet on which two animals would place first and second. We had a couple of winners in our group!

Before taking lunch, students had a Kokugo activity to complete that required them to pet animals. There were a lot to choose from including some sleepy dogs, skitty marmots, fluffy rabbits and a short-tempered pony!

So far, the day had been packed, with very little downtime. Lunch should have been a nice relaxing respite. However, it was interrupted by a bold, persistent crow.
After lunch and a little bit of play, the students got the chance to finally milk a cow. Student reactions were mixed: some were really fascinated and some thought it was a little gross. However, everyone agreed that it was worth doing!

Finally, we made ice cream and this was many students’ favorite activity by far!
All students listened and cooperated well during this session. Perhaps it was because failing to do so would mean that they wouldn’t get to eat ice cream?

The students were completely exhausted by the end of it all; some students slept on the bus ride home, but they really enjoyed the experience without a doubt!

On June 12th, both Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes went to the Aso Milk Farm for our first field trip of the year. It was a great day to go, with temperatures nice and cool for most of the morning. It was a long bus ride but the students were very patient.

Our first activity was inside in a classroom. Students were taught about how humans raise cattle. They were especially surprised to hear that cows would eventually become beef!
Next, the students were able to feed some of the cute cows stationed on the farm, and even see a large pregnant cow. She was massive indeed!

Our next stop was the sheep race where we all got to bet on which two animals would place first and second. We had a couple of winners in our group!

Before taking lunch, students had a Kokugo activity to complete that required them to pet animals. There were a lot to choose from including some sleepy dogs, skitty marmots, fluffy rabbits and a short-tempered pony!

So far, the day had been packed, with very little downtime. Lunch should have been a nice relaxing respite. However, it was interrupted by a bold, persistent crow.
After lunch and a little bit of play, the students got the chance to finally milk a cow. Student reactions were mixed: some were really fascinated and some thought it was a little gross. However, everyone agreed that it was worth doing!

Finally, we made ice cream and this was many students’ favorite activity by far!
All students listened and cooperated well during this session. Perhaps it was because failing to do so would mean that they wouldn’t get to eat ice cream?

The students were completely exhausted by the end of it all; some students slept on the bus ride home, but they really enjoyed the experience without a doubt.

In our first Grade 2 TDL theme, “Role Models”, we studied about how our choice of role models and their good and bad traits mould our character.

During the theme, students really enjoyed analysing the traits displayed by different characters in the stories and videos we studied in class. We also reviewed what we learned with games and quizzes, and as our study progressed, students were able to look back on old content with a new perspective and with some more precise vocabulary.

As the final part of our study, students worked together in small groups to plan and perform a skit about personality traits in front of the class. Most groups decided to depict signs of the positive trait “devotion” in their performance. All students really put in a big effort preparing props and presenting in a professional manner.

This was an interesting theme for the students because they can take what they’ve learned and apply it in their own lives in their relationships with their family and friends.

In our first Grade 2 TDL theme, “Role Models”, we studied about how our choice of role models and their good and bad traits mould our character.

During the theme, students really enjoyed analysing the traits displayed by different characters in the stories and videos we studied in class. We also reviewed what we learned with games and quizzes, and as our study progressed, students were able to look back on old content with a new perspective and with some more precise vocabulary.

As the final part of our study, students worked together in small groups to plan and perform a skit about personality traits in front of the class. Most groups decided to depict signs of the positive trait “devotion” in their performance. All students really put in a big effort preparing props and presenting in a professional manner.

This was an interesting theme for the students because they can take what they’ve learned and apply it in their own lives in their relationships with their family and friends.

On May 15th, we did our May fire drill.  After discussing the importance of following teacher directions and leaving the building quickly and quietly without trying to get any of our things, we had a perfect fire drill.  Covered their faces with their hand towels as they left the building, all students followed all teacher directions perfectly.  In all, everyone was evacuated in under two minutes.

On May 15th, we did our May fire drill.  After discussing the importance of following teacher directions and leaving the building quickly and quietly without trying to get any of our things, we had a perfect fire drill.  Covered their faces with their hand towels as they left the building, all students followed all teacher directions perfectly.  In all, everyone was evacuated in under two minutes.

「こんなことがあったよ」の作文単元の学習の1コマです。
たくさんのメモの中から、友達に伝えたいできごとを見つけて書き、発表しました。
前日の授業では、最近経験した出来事の中で、友達に伝えたいことを5から6項目に分けて、メモを取りました。その中から、一番伝えたいことを選びました。どうしてそれを選んだのか、なども発表しあいました。2年生になり、初めての作文学習でしたが、段落分け、句読点などにも気を付けて書くことが出来ました。
1人ひとりの発表後には、友達の作文の良い点も発表しあいました。「気持ちがよく書けていますね。」「したことがよくわかります。」など、いろいろな視点から多くの良い点を見つけていました。

「こんなことがあったよ」の作文単元の学習の1コマです。
たくさんのメモの中から、友達に伝えたいできごとを見つけて書き、発表しました。
前日の授業では、最近経験した出来事の中で、友達に伝えたいことを5から6項目に分けて、メモを取りました。その中から、一番伝えたいことを選びました。どうしてそれを選んだのか、なども発表しあいました。2年生になり、初めての作文学習でしたが、段落分け、句読点などにも気を付けて書くことが出来ました。
1人ひとりの発表後には、友達の作文の良い点も発表しあいました。「気持ちがよく書けていますね。」「したことがよくわかります。」など、いろいろな視点から多くの良い点を見つけていました。

今回、色々な寄附の方法について子どもが発信するキャンペーン「寄付のイラストコンテスト」のいろぬり部門に本校の児童が参加しました。

子どもたちは、マスコットキャラクター「ふじぽん」に、個性豊かに色を塗り、素敵なイラストを完成させました。その中で、先日結果が発表され、本校から2名が大賞に選ばれました。これを機会に身近に寄附、自分にできる寄附活動のことも子供達なりに考えていけたらと思っています。

Both first and second graders had a great time at the KIS Welcome Picnic!

We had a wonderful time playing games together, eating our lunch, and making new friends.  Students from both grades played nicely and fairly, respecting the rules and cheering each other on during the long walk to and from the park. Although the weather started out cold and foggy, it turned warm and fair by the time we arrived at the park, making both teachers and children equally happy to be able to enjoy the day.

Both first and second graders had a great time at the KIS Welcome Picnic!

We had a wonderful time playing games together, eating our lunch, and making new friends.  Students from both grades played nicely and fairly, respecting the rules and cheering each other on during the long walk to and from the park. Although the weather started out cold and foggy, it turned warm and fair by the time we arrived at the park, making both teachers and children equally happy to be able to enjoy the day.

On April 11th, we held our second annual KIS Entrance Ceremony.  The ceremony formally welcomes new first grade students to KIS and was a great success.  Our first class has now moved up to second grade, and they participated in the ceremony, singing our school song.  The second grade representative also did a fantastic job presenting the welcome speech to all first grade students.

The entrance ceremony is a formal acknowledgement of our new students admission to primary school, where they will learn, study, and play alongside the second graders. All of us at Kumamoto International School are very excited to continue on our amazing educational adventure, and we look forward to another great year of learning, inquiry and fun at KIS!