I feel like watching Shibya Crossing, the busiest crossing in the world

Live Stream Shibuya Crossing

I am looking at the 'Worlds busiest crossing', and the streets are empty. Nothing at all like the picture I have shown you.

I feel like looking inside the world's biggest VR Arcade in Tokyo

I want to be here now

I feel like watching a live stream of Japans snow monkeys taking a bath

Who wouldn't want to watch them? They are pretty cute! 

The direct video link and The website are here for you 🎬

I feel like watching our favorite cyber bunny again あいうえおのうた

I hope it sticks in your head allll day. That way you will remember them  😁

I feel like learning Japanese through video games! (Zelda, part 1)

Your'e welcome 😁

I feel like making ramen noodles

Oh that would be awesome,  check with your parents  or carers first though. Maybe you could do it together. Start by looking in the pantry and fridge and then writing a list of items to buy from the shops. Click on my ramen noodle bath for the recipe link.

I feel like designing a new Japanese themed Xbox controller skin

Do it for real here 

Or copy and paste the above image into a Word document and hit print.

I feel like finding out why Xbox failed in Japan

I ❤🎮

I feel like making sushi

I feel like making a Shuriken (Ninja Star)

I feel like watching a random cartoon of Larva in sushi

I feel like using my bitmoji to describe my emotions in Japanese

Here is the link if you don't have a bitmoji account , or you have forgotten the email/password combo we created at school ttps://www.bitmoji.com/

We used PIC.COLLAGE to do these last year. If you don't have PIC.COLLAGE on your device, or you are using a PC, try copying and pasting your Bitmoji into a Word document.

Don't like these ideas? Think of your own and use https://translate.google.com/ to help you with the Hiragana translation.

I feel like doing further research about Maneki Neko

I feel like downloading new drift car wallpapers for my device

Here you go click here 

Your'e welcome.

I feel like watching 'Spirited Away'

You won't regret it. It is the highest grossing movie from Japan of all time. That means it has made the most money in history. It has also won the most awards,  including an Oscar Award.

When you watch the movie, think about and record the answers to the questions below.

Enjoy the movie!

Questions

What kind of feelings might you have if you were moving away to a new home? Would they be positive, negative, or both?

How does Chihiro feel about moving home? How can you tell what her emotions are?

What happens during the transformation of the abandoned park into the spirit world (00:10:49 – 00:13:59)? How does Chihiro react? How does the music help to create the atmosphere?

Why do you think No Face decides to follow Chihiro? What does he want from her? How does her behavior towards him differ from how the others treat him?

How does Chihiro change during the film? What do you think she learns from her adventure?

Activity

Inspired by the animation in the film, design a spirit world version of yourself as though you were one of the guests at Yubaba’s bath house. Would you look like an animal, or be inspired by other elements in nature? 

Would you wear traditional Japanese clothing?

What special powers might you have? 

Give yourself a new spirit world name. Draw your spirit and label all the interesting things about your spirit.

I feel like watching a bunch of guys trying to pull another guy off a pole

Well then you need to check out the Japanese sport Bo-taoshi!   

I feel like doing some origami

I feel like drawing Pokemon

You all know I ❤ it when you draw me Pokemon. If you ever feel like drawing some Pokemon, and you are not too confident, try using a YouTube tutorial. 

How to draw Pikachu

How to draw Mew

I feel like learning something from the 'Karate Kid'

We have learned quite a bit about Japanese sports recently, and it got me thinking about the movie ‘The Karate Kid’. We can learn so much from Mr. Miyagi! Here are a few of his quotes from the movie. Haven’t seen the movie? Lucky its on NETFLIX!

“It’s ok to lose to opponent. It’s never okay to lose to fear"

What it means for us: Give your best when you are learning, you might lose but at least you did your best and that's what matters. When you lose to negative thoughts like fear, you aren't able to give your best, so you already lost before even learning. Keep trying guys! Believe me I know its hard.

"You trust the quality of what you know, not quantity."

What it means for us: What matters is the content and how deep you know it, not how many things you know. Remember, as your teacher, I would rather you know how to pronounce one word well then get 5 words incorrect. Then again, it’s all about having a go!

"Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home. Understand?"

What it means for us: Balance is a double meaning word, you need balance to stand up and not fall, but you need balance in your life areas, or else your life will become unstable. Like too many nuggets is bad, too much Xbox is bad. Find a good balance.

“First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule Daniel san, not mine”

What it means for us: Don't rush things, don't try to learn everything once, don't try to go to the next level, when you haven't mastered the level you are on. You need to learn the basics so you can get to the more difficult levels. Think Xbox games!

"Either you karate do "yes" or karate do "no." You karate do "guess so," (get squished) just like grape."

What it means for us: If you 're going to do it, do it to the fullest or don't do it at all. Put full effort on everything you do. Think about the growth mindset learning you have done so far!

"If come from inside you, always right one."

What it means for us: Trust your instincts!

“Man who catch fly with chopstick, accomplish anything.”

What it means for us: Difficult skills require a mix of patience, focus and planning. Qualities required to accomplish anything.

I feel like practicing some more Kanji

I must admit, this was one of the highlights this term. Writing the word for Harmony in Kanji.

Thanks to the students who wanted to share their work on our Blog. 😊

I know you might not have the special Japanese ink and calligraphy brushes at home, but you can try using runny paint (add some water into it) Try and find a really pointy paintbrush too.

If you don't have any paint you can use pencils or textas to create your kanji. If you have a paintbrush, try brushing your concrete or pavers outside with water. That way you can have some fun with water an draw them any size you like!

This one was drawn by a Year 7. (Please ignore the hand sanitizer smudge LOL😁)

I feel like re-creating the Great Wave 😊🌊

The Great Wave off Kanagawa

I have been asked by a few of you to upload the pictures of Aaron Kai's Hokasai wave inspired mural.

Shout out to one of the Year 6 boys for letting me post the photo of their artwork, you know who you are.

I feel like cooking..Well maybe not this

Following up from my previous blog entry on eating bugs... here is a

RICE GRASSHOPPER GRANOLA BARS RECIPE!

I couldn't resist posting this up. To be honest I'm a bit grossed out by it all but I still felt the need to share. 
This is from Cookpad, Japan’s largest recipe sharing website. 
Just in case your collect a sack full of grasshoppers when you go outside, here’s a recipe you can use to make them into healthy granola bars!

Ingredients:

100 rice grasshoppers
5 ½ oz granola
5–6 large marshmallows
3 ½ oz peanut butter with honey
Directions

Leave rice grasshoppers in a bag for a day to let them poop. Put them in the freezer to kill them.
Stir-fry grasshoppers until they get crispy. Remove legs and antennae, if burnt.
Microwave marshmallow and peanut butter to melt. Mix with granola and rice grasshoppers.
On parchment paper, mold the "dough" into a large granola bar shape. Spread grasshoppers around evenly, and press the dough so there are no spaces.
Set in fridge to chill. Cut into pieces, and enjoy!
  Who else feels sick? I kinda do. At the end of the day we are learning about Japanese culture, and a part of their culture is to eat bugs and share bug recipes. We must accept that and celebrate that,even if we do think it's a bit strange.

Still feel like nuggs though. 

I like feel like eating some insects

Please don't.

Well don't go out in your garden and start eating random bugs and tell your family that I told you to! 

APPARENTLY bugs are delicious, but eating them has other benefits too. Many experts are call edible insects the "food of the future" because of their high nutritional value, rapid reproduction, and fast growth rate. The Japanese LOVE them!

Some reasons people bug out:

Cost Effectiveness (Cheap): According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), bugs offer the same amount of protein as pork, chicken, and lamb.

Fast Growth: Insects grow fast!  For example, cows take at least 2-3 years to grow big enough before we can eat them, most bugs take less than six months.

Health Benefits: Not only are insects sustainable, they’re highly nutritious. The FAO recommends edible insects as a healthy food source with high fat, protein, vitamin, fiber, and mineral content. All the good stuff basically.

Promotes Long Life (Maybe): Although it’s not scientifically proven, eating insects for food may help you live longer. Nagano, the area that eats the most bugs in Japan, is also the area with highest life expectancy. Not a sure thing, but it could be true…

Click here to see a Japanese guy cooking bugs

Well I shouldn't say "some guy" his name is Mr. Uchiyama. He is a world famous bug chef and leader of the "bug eating movement.

In the video above, the group makes three different bug dishes:
1. Fluffy Omelette Rice of Bee Larvae 
ふわふわハチの子オムライス
2. Potato Salad with Giant Water Bug 
タガメ風味のポテトサラダ
3. Baby Ant Minestrone 
 アリの子のミネストローネ
　

Here is his website full of his bug recipes

http://insectcuisine.jp/

Don't know about you, but I'll stick to my nuggs.

I feel like watching NETFLIX.

I know a lot of you guys have already told me about Ghibli films being released on NETFLIX. You've practically tore up the school yard with excitement and chased me down to tell me!

I realize I am partly, if not entirely to blame for it though. It's kind of cool to know I have instilled some happiness in your lives through sharing some awesome animations. Story telling at its best!

For those of you who don't know here are a list of Ghibli films that are available...And guess what our beloved Ponyo will be released in April!

I can hear your voices singing the theme song right now and I must admit it kinda makes me glow inside. Like Ponyo's flashlight.

Oh right now I'm feeling like some hammmmm (It's a Ponyo reference Year 6/7's, watch it to understand)

Out on NETFLIX now

Castle in the Sky (1986)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Porco Rosso (1992)
Ocean Waves (1993)
Tales from Earthsea (2006)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbours the Yamadas (1999)
Spirited Away (2001)
The Cat Returns (2002)
Arrietty (2010)
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)


1 April 2020

Pom Poko (1994)
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Ponyo (2008)
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
The Wind Rises (2013)
When Marnie Was There (2014)

Check with your parents first if the rating is suitable.
I will post up some activities to go with the movies later on in the Blog.

Happy watching my animation buffs, I am so proud of you!

I feel like sending a message with Emoji's 👩‍🏫

Ahhh the beloved emoji 😊

Your faces right now 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♂️

DID YOU KNOW THAT EMOJIS ARE JAPANESE????? THEY WERE INVENTED BY THE JAPANESE!!!

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I hear you cry.


FACT

The word emoji comes from Japanese e (絵, "picture") + moji (文字, "character")


So if someone ever tells you emoji is short for emotion, please correct them, as kindly as you can.

Recognize any of these emojis below? Please say yes 🤞

We can make some connections to what we have learned so far, riigghhtt about now! Look at each one carefully.

🎌 🗾🗼🏯🌊🏮🍱🍙🍘🍚🍜🍣🍤🍥🍢🍡🌸🗻🚅


Here are the connections:

🎌 Japanese Flags


🗾 Map of Japan


🗼Tokyo Tower


🏯 Japanese castle


🌊 The great wave of Kanagawa (we drew this!)


🏮Lantern


🍱Bento (we made these last year)


🍙Origini (Rice ball)


🍘Rice Cracker


🍚Gohan (Rice)


🍜 Ramen (Noodles)


🍣Sushi


🍤Tempura Prawn


🍥 Narutomaki (Fish cake with Swirl)


🍢 Oden (skewered fishcake, egg and Tofu)


🍡Sweets on a skewer for Hinamatsuri (Girls day)

🎎 Hinamatsuri Emperor and Empress dolls


🌸 Sakura(Cherry Blossom)


🗻 Mt. Fuji

🚅 Bullet Train

Here are some more interesting facts about emojis:

🏣 Post office
**If you look closely the the Japanese symbolテ postmark is on top the building.


📮 Post box
**Ever wonder why postbox emojis are blue? because they are blue in Japan!🎑 Tsukimi
** Moon Viewing Ceremony, held each year in Japan to celebrate the full moon and the waxing moon.

Use this website to have a look at more Emoji

https://emojipedia.org/


So how about you play around on your devices today and find some Japanese emojis?

Maybe send your grandparents, friends or family a message or email using them and explaining what they are?

Share your learning! And GO!

🙌🚿❤👩‍🏫😁

I feel like goal setting- The Japanese way!

Goals hey?! Goal setting is important guys, I can feel your eye-rolls through the screen BTW.

Just think about it though, everything we love in this world was someones goal at some point.

For example, it was the goal of Colonel Sanders to create delicious nuggs AANNDD how much do we appreciate his goal right now? 

"What have nuggs got to do with Japanese Sensei?"
(I just read your brains just then by the way...)

BECAUSE COLONEL SANDERS IS FATHER CHRISTMAS IN JAPAN- FACT!

Japanese people traditionally eat KFC on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, KFC queues will go out the store and down the road, and those unlucky enough not to pre-order their special chicken buckets a month in advance may have to go without KFC’s signature blend of 11 herbs and spices..and they will not be able to say “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” (“Kentucky for Christmas!”) Chistmas will be ruined!!!

Anyway back to the lesson on goal setting...you have goals right?

Well the Japanese have a very special way of goal setting using the Daruma Doll.

Check out the link below to see how they are made:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpO7vMkYpmA

Here they are in the market place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMVzFShxBI

The doll is based the popular Japanese proverb (and my favorite quote of all time)
"Nanakorobi yaoki" (Please try saying it for me) it means
"Fall down seven times, stand up eight."

Here are my dolls

You might have some goals you might like to achieve when you are at home. Maybe tidy your room? Learn to make cupcakes? Finish that Lego set your family got you last Christmas? Learn the times table, you know those really tricky ones?... or even, maybe, READ OUR BLOG!

Printable

Example

こんにちは学 Kon'nichiwa gakusei

Welcome to our blog. Here I will post up some things to hopefully entertain you when you are not in our classroom.  I really should say educate, but I want you to keep reading and participating, so I will say 'entertain'.

You know how I keep telling you I'm not that good with technology...yet? (Ahh the power of 'yet')...well its pretty obvious sometimes when I hold my I pad upside down when I screen mirror to the SMARTBOARD hey?

Well I am being brave and starting a Blog...so there's that. Have you done something brave today? Maybe its reading the Blog?!

Anyway... I am still learning how to Blog, some of you were probably blogging at Kindy. I was born in the land before time (pre-internet) Oh the HORROORRRR!!!! But it's kinda sweet to learn something new. We know this.

Be Kind

Just a thought..What would a Kindy kid Blog about? Think about it and see if you can make us laugh in the comments.. Keep the comments clean....LIKE YOUR HANDS! 🙌