5月5日 こどもの日

We generally celebrate May 5 as "Children's day", which is one of Japanese national holidays.
The another name of "Children's day" is "Boy's festival".
"children's day" based on "the day for the prevention of cruelty to children" was established in 1948.

The purpose of "Children's day" was to celebrate children's happiness and to respect their individual.
In addition,the day was established as a "Thanks day" for their mother.

Boy's parents display "colorful carp banners" or "helmet".
Many people eat some famous sweets to celebrate the special day.
"colorful carp banners" and "helmet" are famous symbol to celebrate "Children's day".
Many parents display them hoping that children will grow up with courage and wisdom.

"Kashiwa-mochi", rice cake wrapped in an oak leaf, and " Chimaki" , rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, are also famous as a Japanese sweets to celebrate "Children's day".
In Japan many people believe "kashiwa-mochi" is a symbol of prosperity of their descendants.
On the other hand "Chimaki" has been familiar among the people as a protective charm.

Samuel Rokuzo Sigler

Samuel Rokuzo Sigler was born on April 22 at 4:15pm. 7Ibs 3oz. 19 inches.

4月11日 金曜日

今日勉強した事は、

１）漢字クイズ
２）Conversation T→S
３）Conversation S→S
４）Review/New Grammar: Transitivity Pairs

宿題は、
１）workbook p.51 and 52

４月９日 水曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Conversation: T→S 今週末に、何をしますか。数学の宿題をします。
2) Conversation: S→S
3) 漢字（Lesson 17後半）
4) New grammar: transitive Vs intransitive verbs

宿題は、
1) Workbook p.117 and 118
2) Kanji Quiz (lesson 17 beginning half)
3) Vocabulary sheets→due by the end of semester
4) Make flashcards of Transitivity pairs from textbook
e.g.) one side-開ける opposite side-開く

４月７日 月曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）漢字クイズ (Lesson 16 ①と②）
２）Review Conversation:S→S　e.g.)　結婚したそうですね。
３）New 漢字：Lesson 17前半
When I collected the housewives who learn calligraphy and are 25 years old, I made public my  marriage. 
私が、習字を習っていて２５歳の主婦を集めた時、結婚を発表しました。
When I collected 25 year old housewives who learn calligraphy, I made public my marriage.
私が、習字をならっている２５歳の主婦を集めた時、結婚を発表しました。

宿題は、
１）workbook p.117 と118

４月４日 金曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）漢字クイズLesson16前半
２）Review 会話 ～そうです　Gossip
３）漢字　
When I opened the room and had been thinking the plan (for basketball game), my teammates was exercising in the classroom.
部屋を空けて、さくせんを考えていた時、味方は、教室で運動をしていました。

しゅくだいは、
１）Blog entry：Reflection　”What is one thing that you think it was effective for your Japanese learning?"
　　Write the reasons/analysis why you think so.
What we have done: Photo story videos/ you are the teacher project/ Skype conference with Japanese students/ Newspapers/ essay/ kanji handout that make you interested in Kanji more/ Voki/ Group learning,etc

４月２日 水曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

1) Conversation (handout) : Review T→S and S→S　～なくちゃいけませんか。
2) Review: Kanji from the conversation handout
3) Kanji: Lesson 16 beginning half

世界の子供の全部は一週間に一回以上、はみがきを始めます。
All of the child in the world starts brushing teeth more than once in a week.
4) New: 漢字がおもしろくなるプリント

しゅくだいは、
1) Workbook p. 115 and 116

３月３１日 月曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

1)  Conversation T→S　「春休みに、何をしましたか。」
2) Conversation S→S　
3) 漢字がおもしろくなるプリント
studied radicals of Kanji! I hope you understand Kanji better and you think kanji is interesting!

しゅくだいは、

１）Study for 漢字クイズ Lesson16 (only p.295)→　クイズFriday, 4/2

世界の子供の全部は一週間に一回以上、はみがきを始めます。
All of the child in the world starts brushing teeth more than once in a week.

３月１９日２１日 ゲト戦記（げとせんき）

今日は、ゲト戦記（Tales of earthsea)を見ました。

さくぶんのduedayは３月３１日月曜日まで。→４月２日水曜日まで

３月１７日 月曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

1) Review: ～てもいいです。→You may do (give someone permission)
    e.g.) コーヒーを飲んでもいいです。

2) New:～なくてもいいです。→You don't need to do ~
    e.g.) らいしゅう、日本語のクラスに来なくてもいいです。
　you don't need to come to Japanese class next week.
    PRESENT SHORT NEGATIVE ～ない→なくてもいいです。
　注）You must not do→～てはいけません。
3) Practice: textbook p.132 IV A
4) New: How to write Japanese paper w/ Handout→See below

しゅくだいは、
１）Workbook p.46

３月１４日 金曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Talk about "White Day" in Japan
２）New/old grammar：A前に、B。→Before A,　B.
 e.g.) クラスに行く前に、コーヒーを飲みます。( Before I go to my class, I drink coffee.)
３）Old/grammar:　B後に、A。→After B, A.
 e.g.) コーヒーを飲んだ後に、クラスに行きます。(After I drink coffee, I go to my class.)
４）New grammar: Aてから、B。→ B and then, A.
e.g.) コーヒーを飲んでから、クラスに行きます。(I drink coffee, and then I go to my class.)
５）Comparative grammar:　Aて、B。Vs. Aてから、B。
６）Practice: Textbook
しゅくだいは、
１）Workbook p.48

３月１２日 水曜日

On Friday, we will have a regular class in business administration building!

今日勉強したことは、
１）Vocabulary quiz (Lesson 17)
２）Check your own quiz
３）Review: Ａたら、Ｂ。Rest of Handout→If you are absent, you will submit it.
４）Review Practice: Textbook p.132 III A

しゅくだいは、
１）Write down p.132 III A

３月１０日 月曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Find mistakes！→ find mistakes from blog comments
２）New grammar:　Aたら、B。→Handout
３）Conjugation
４）Practice in handout is homework

しゅくだいは、
１）Workbook p. 45
２）The rest of handout
３）Vocabulary sheets for L17
***You will have L17 vocabulary quiz on Wednesday

３月７日 金曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Conversation T→S
２）Conversation S→S
Using HANDOUT,,,
３）Review:～そうです(I hear)
４）Review:～そうです(looks like→mainly for adjectives and also verbs)
５）New grammar: ～みたいです (looks like→Verbs and Nouns)

しゅくだいは、
１）workbook p. 47
２）Reflection about "You are a teacher Project"
         ① What did you do on your videos?
         ② How did you do in order to make audiences to understand the grammar?
         ③ What would you do differently after comparing with the other group project?
                e.g.) Comparing with group E, we have so much downtime so we should have done~

3月５日 水曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Ｖｏｃａｂｕｌａｒｙ　ｓｈｅｅｔｓ→　Ｌ１７　(Next Wednesday Due + Vocabulary quiz)
2) New grammar:～そうです(I hear~)
3) Practice: textbook p.123

しゅくだいは、
1) Workbook p.44
2) Comment on my ３月３日Blog about Hinamatsuri

３月３日 ひなまつり

今日は、Mid-term Examでした。みんなよくがんばりました。

３月３日はひなまつりです。女の子の日です。
My daughter, Sora celebrated 4th Girl's Day yesterday!

"Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival)" is held on March 3rd. This is a day to pray for young girl's growth and happiness. It is also called "Momo no sekku (Peach Festival)" because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar. May 5th is "Kodomo no hi (Children's Day)," and this is so called "Boy's Festival." While Children's Day is a national holiday, Hinamatsuri is not.

Most families with girls display "hina-ningyo" (special dolls for Hinamatsuri, see the photo below) and dedicate peach blossoms to them. They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. At the top are the Emperor and Empress. The next step contains three court ladies (sannin-kanjo), followed by five musicians (gonin-bayashi), two ministers (udaijin and sadaijin), and three servants ending the bottom row in a five-tiered display. There are also small pieces of furniture, small meal dishes, and other things.

Study sheets Answer Keys

2月26日 水曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

1) study sheets→due by Friday

On Friday, you will ask questions about study sheets.→I will upload answer keys on Friday after class.
You will have mid term test on next Monday.

Homework by Monday
You have to watch videos/ps and give a comment on the blog.
Group A→bob http://boblabon.blogspot.com/
Group B→ Matt http://mreneauintermediatejapanese.blogspot.com/
Group C→Taylor http://nihongonihongonihongonihongo.blogspot.com/
Group D→Ryan http://ryansintermediatejapaneseblog.blogspot.com/

２月２４日 月曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

1) Group D interview/dialogue

宿題は、
1) Complete your group project and upload your video/PS on group leaders/final editor's blog BEFORE Wednesday's class.
Group leaders have to tell/email me who are going to upload the videos and regular report.

Wednesday class
We will have a regular class in business administration building. You will have study sheets for mid-term exam.

２月２１日 金曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

1) Group A Interview/dialogue

Homework is
1) Blog entry--- Reflection/ Answer the following questions. It is good to have honest opinions of yours BUT after going over your emotion, you will analyze your emotions by ④. Why you think so Do you have any way to solve the problems, etc.
        ①What do you do in the study group?
        ②What do you think the advantage of study group?
        ③What do you think the disadvantage of study group?
        ④ What can you do improve/solve the problems of ② and ③?
     
2) Work on the project. You will upload the video/PS on the leaders' blogs BY WEDNESDAY,2/26 before our class starts.

Questions today:
1) This project aims that you will have better understanding of the specific grammar. Every one of you has to participate to contribute to the project in order to achieve the goal. So...just filming the video is not enough to contribute on this project. You have to think about that and what ways you can contribute on the project.
2) なくす means to lose. You can use なくす for inanimate objects, eg.) さいふ、かばん、本.  BUT you CANNOT use for animate objects e.g.)犬、ねこ, etc. If you want to say "You lost a dog." ,　wrong sentence is 「犬がなくなりました。」 but correct one is 「犬がいなくなりました。」.  「いなくなりました」's dictionary form is いる(there is/are[short form]) →いない(there isn't/aren't [Short form])→いなくなる(become +いない[short form])→いなくなりました(いなくなる[long form Past tense])

２月１９日 水曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

1) Group A interview/dialogue

Homework is
1) Team leaders have to submit your plan of project
2) working on Project

２月１７日 月曜日

今日、勉強したことは、
1)Group C interview

Questions I have today were

1) As for "You are the teacher! Project" handout I gave all of you, the team leader have to submit one copy by scanning &emailing me or putting in my mail box in Olin BY WEDNESDAY. I will approve it by Friday so you can start the project.
2) As for interview, you have to come to my office at 9:55 and after everyone finishes interviewing, you have to have study group a rest of time.

Homework today is
Workbook p. 115 and 116 (L16-Kanji pages)

２月１４日バレンタインデー

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Vocabulary quiz
２）Review: A時、B。→rest of handout
３）Explanation: How to interview
        ①Based on the handout we worked on our class→conversation what you lost
        ② you have to hold conversation in 5 minutes
　　　③ I will join your conversation so you have to make sure that you will practice "Clarification"
４）group interview dates
    2/17---Group C
    2/19---Group A
    2/21---Group B
    2/24---Group D
５）team leaders A: Siarrah B:Matt C:Andrea D: Simon
６）Tasks that you have to complete in from 17 to 24th (final due day is on 24th)
      ①～てあげる・もらう・くれる handout
      ②Task (You are the teacher! Project)

• ～てあげる・もらう・くれる→group D
• Ａ時、Ｂ。→group B
• ～といいですね。→group C
• ～ていただけませんか・～てすみませんでした。→group A

     ③workbook p.40
****Team leaders have to submit your video plans by 2/19. You need to be approved by me.

２月１２日 水曜日

今日勉強したことは、

１）New grammar: A前、B。　A's verb is PRESENT short form
2) New grammar:　A後、B。 A's verb is PAST short form
3)New grammar: A時、B。 A's verb can be PRESENT or PAST
4) Practice with handout

Homework is
1) Rest of handout
2) workbook p.39 ～時ー１

２月１０日 月曜日

今日、べんきょうしたことは、

１）Review:　～ていただけませんか。textbook p.112
２）New activity: Making conversation w/ 1) grammar→Interview #2
３）New grammar: ～てすみませんでした。

しゅくだいは、
１）Work on 2) handout
２）Workbook p.41

２月７日 金曜日 I forgot posting!!!

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Review－～てあげる・もらう・くれる
２）Handout
３）New grammar--～ていただけませんか。
しゅくだいは、
workbook p. 36,37

２月５日 Snow day!

Your homework is
All of handout I gave you on Monday!

２月３日 節分

今日、勉強したことは、

１）節分（せつぶん）Setsubun Listening in order to understand what Setsubun is.
２）Explain vocabulary sheet for Lesson 16→due and vocabulary quiz on February 14th.
３）New grammar：～てあげる・もらう・くれる→handout below

しゅくだいは、
Handout of 2). See below.

 

節分 setsubun のち、スーパーボール

１月３１日金曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）group C interview

Homework is
FINISHING your project
you have to upload your voki on your blog and bring the transcript on next Monday.

１月２９日 水曜日

今日勉強したことは、

１）Group B　Interview

Group leaders! Don't forget emailing me!

Questions I had today！

You will submit your Kanji pages (from workbook) and Kanji Handout on  Monday, February 3rd.
You will upload JUST VOKI on your blog by Monday, February 3rd.
You will submit the handwritten or digital transcript (2nd page of project handout) on Monday, February 3rd 

１月２４日 金曜日

今日勉強したことは、

１）　Interview：　Group D
２）　The other groups are group study

しゅくだいは、
１） reflection--- the impression of group study
         ①　What did you study?
　　　② What is the benefit of group study? What is disadvantage of group study?
The group D will reflect on your interview.  How did you do? What would you have done differently if you have the same interview again.
2) Kanji workbook for Lesson 15 (p.113&114)

group leader

Group Leaders
Group A-Bob
Group B-Jenny
Group C-Amanda
Group D-Dillon

The following items are that the group leaders have to report (email) to me after your group work
1) Location where you had a group work
2) Attendance and late
3) What did you study
4) Questions about the assignments or project

Assigments and Projects

What you have to done in this interview #1 session are
1) Interview in my office
2) Kanji handout
3) Project (Voki News)
4) Project (Voki News)

On Monday February 3rd,
1) Submit the second page of project handout handwriting or typed
2) Upload your Voki on your blog

Interview #1

Contents
1) Self introduction with more difficult grammar　
e.g.) 　Ｘ→せんもんは、日本語です。
　　　　Ｏ→日本に行きたいので、日本語を勉強しています。
2) Include the following grammar　
     ①Like doing   eg.) 日本語を勉強するのが好きです。
　　②～ておく　eg) 日本語でいいせいせきをとりたいので、たくさん勉強しておきます。
　　③ One picture with sentence modifying noun---bring one picture and describe the picture
3) I will ask some questions using the grammar above

１月１７日 金曜日

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Conversation S→S：Review grammar ～ておく
2) Review: てform→Song
3) Review: Short form
4) Review: Sentence that modifies nouns including review of sentence types

Homework is
1) blog entry #1 ①Reflection
　　　　　　　　　②Sentences of 1)
2) Workbook p.32

１月１５日 水曜日

今日勉強したことは、

１）Conversation w/ Review grammar: like doing something 日本語を勉強するのが好きです。
２）New grammar:　～ておく I Verb for the prepaperation
     e.g.)　日本に行くので、日本語を勉強しておきます。
３） Review:  てform
４）Review:　Aので、B。　Because A, B. →A's form is SHORT FORM

しゅくだいは、
１）Workbook p.30

はじまるよ！たら はじまるよ！

今日、勉強したことは、

１）Self introduction (NEW friends)
２）Syllabus
３）Groups are decided!

Homework is
１）New students→follow my blog
the instruction is below