Bunka 2004-2005

Welcome to the Fourth Grade Bunka web site. The aspects the students study of Japanese culture, Nihon Bunka, will be chronicled here. Biographical notations, study pages, relevant links and, most importantly, student pictures and reflections will be included. 

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September

October

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February

April

Spring

• Opening

We will learn about Japan's history and meet fourth graders from Fuchu Dai Ichi, a local Japanese school. 

Initially the children will view and react to a wonderful picture book about Japanese history.  It will show the changes dwellings, tools, and the organization of cities have gone through here in Japan.  We'll then take a field trip to a local museum that features Fuchu's development along several of the key periods. The children will also have a chance to step into various older homes and business from the Fuchu area.

Near the end of the month, the children will welcome the students of Fuchu Dai Ichi to our school and help them get a sense of Halloween. It is a fun day for everyone.

see descriptions of last year's exchange below....

The Fall Fuchu Dai Ichi Exchange - 2003

On October 29th, the students from our Japanese sister school- Fuchu Dai Ichi, came for the first visit of our yearly exchange. Prior to that, Ms. Studwell and Ms. Kikuchi went with two students from each fourth grade class to their school to do an icebreaking afternoon. They did skits, sang songs, introduced what was going to happen on the 29th, answered questions and ate lunch with the fourth grade students at that school. What follows are reflections on how the day went, written by the students in the 4th grade.

When we had lunch with our Fuchu Dai Ichi buddies we went down to the lower field with all the other fourth graders. We brought down tarps to sit on. It was a beautiful sunny day, which was good since it had rained so much the day before. We sat down and had our lunches in the sun. The Japanese buddies had much different lunches than us. It was a nice way to spend time with our buddies. It was a good time to get to know them. By Aidan and Ken in 4-S   

One of the things that we did in the class was make masks. We had practiced making masks the day before using animal paper, glue, glitter and sparkles. I thought my buddy would make a muddle, but, he was very careful. I thought he would have a horrible mask and not listen to my guidelines. His mask turned out to be nicer than mine, and, he did everything I said! By Brian in 4-F 

While completing crafty projects in the classroom, the children had a chance to decorate cookies. This was great fun as they spread orange frosting here and there, followed by a cluster of mini-chocolate chips or raisins to create eyes and finally another line of goodies to make a mouth, ending up with a cute "Jack-o-lantern" cookie. Some of these were eagerly gobbled on the spot while others were carefully wrapped and saved for later.  The cookie was a fun Halloween treat enjoyed by everyone, but there was more fun to come. Once everyone had finished making masks and decorating trick-or-treat bags, it was time to put those items to use. Masks in place and bags in hand, each pair of students went trick-or-treating visiting several mothers who were stationed each room.  The students from Fuchu Dai Ichi, being coached by the ASIJ fourth graders had to say the magic Halloween words in order to receive a treat.  For some this was very easy, but for other it was a challenge.  In the end,  everyone came away having been treated to a lot of fun, with one last event, the closing ceremony to come.  By 4-H

In the Closing Ceremony, we were able to tell our buddies just how much fun we had with them. Their principal said a speech and then invited us all to their school. Then, Mrs. Reckord gave a closing speech, too. Then the sad part came, the part to say good bye,” sayonara!” We all cheered with sadness. Hey, that wasn’t the end of our visit; we get to visit them in February. It seems to me that I’m going to be in for a big surprise! I can’t wait to see the new school in February. I hope that she won’t have a hard time telling me what to do or where to go. I hope everyone will have a good time at the Fuchu Dai Ichi School. I think that I will have a wonderful time and be surprised with my Fuchu Dai Ichi buddy in her school. By Katelyn in 4-F

Site written and maintained by Bridgette Fincher

November 11, 2004