Where are you, Mr.Sun ? – Rainbow 14th-18th July (太陽さん、どこにいるの？）

みなさん、こんにちは。梅雨の名残か雨や曇りの日が多い一週間が過ぎました。それでも蒸し暑い毎日でしたね。レインボークラスのある男の子が”Where are you？Mr.Sun？”と空を見て（英語で）つぶやく姿を偶然目にしました。太陽が出ず、プール遊びや水遊びができない事の切なさや悔しさを小さな声で独りごちたその声は、まるで詩のように私の心に沁み込み、子ども達の”心の声”を聴いた気がしました。

Hello everyone. It’s the rainy season, so it’s been a week of rainy and cloudy days. Hot and humid every day. I happened to see a boy in Rainbow Class looking up at the sky and asking (in English) “Where are you? Mr. Sun?” His voice, as he quietly muttered to himself how sad and frustrated he was that the sun wasn’t out and he couldn’t play in the pool or splash around in the water, penetrated my heart like a poem, and I felt like I was listening to the “voice of the children’s hearts.”

なかなかプールに入れる日がありませんでしたが、園庭で水ふうせんで遊んだり、ジムレッスンやミュージックレッスンなどを思い切り楽しみました。

Although we didn’t have many days to go swimming in the pool, the children had a lot of fun playing with water balloons in the playground, and enjoying gym lessons, music lessons, and so on.

7月に生まれたお友達の為のバースデーパーティーが行われました。6月のバースデーパーティーに参加できなかった子も一緒に祝ってもらいました。レインボークラスでは2人がお祝いされ、3才になったことをみんなで喜びました。”Waht your name？”　”How old are you？”の質問にも大きな声でしっかり答えられました！誇らしい2人です。バースデーソングの後は、Chifumi先生が用意してくれていた”Who am I ?” という推理ゲームで大いに盛り上がりました！誕生日おめでとう！

A birthday party was held for friends who were born in July. Children who were unable to attend the birthday party in June were also able to celebrate together. Two children were celebrated in the Rainbow Class, and everyone was happy to have turned three years old. They answered questions such as “What’s your name?” and “How old are you?” with loud voices! We are so proud of them. Happy Birthday!! After the birthday song, everyone had a blast playing a guessing game prepared by Ms.Chifumi called “Who am I?”

クラフトでは「夏」をテーマにビーチサンダルを作りました。両足の裏に白い絵の具を塗り、好きな色の画用紙の上に立ち、スタンプしました。絵の具のニョロニョロ、ヌルヌルが気持ち良いのか悪いのか・・みんな不思議な表情で笑っていました。五感を刺激することは子ども達の成長にとって有意義です。今回は主に「触覚」や「視覚」に焦点を当てました。完成したビーチサンダルを見て「家にもあるよ！」「海に履いていくよ！」と話してくれる子がいました。クラフト作品が自分の経験や既知情報と繋がる瞬間を見られて嬉しいです。この活動が想像力や活動意欲に繋がっていくことを期待しています。さあ！ビーチへ行こう！レインボー！（＊完成品を教室前に飾っていますのでお迎え等の際に是非ご覧ください）

In crafts, we made beach sandals with a “summer” theme. We painted the soles of both feet with white paint, stood on construction paper of our choice and stamped. Everyone was smiling with a puzzled look on their face, wondering if the gooey, slimy paint felt good or bad. Stimulating the five senses is meaningful for children’s development. This time, we focused mainly on “touch” and “sight.” When some children saw the finished beach sandals, they said, “I have them at home too!” and “I’m going to wear them to the beach!” It was great to see the moment when the crafts were connected to their own experiences and previous information. We hope that this activity will lead to imagination and motivation to be active. Let’s go to the beach! Rainbow! (*The finished products will be displayed in front of the classroom, so please take a look when you pick up your children.)

今月のトピックは「虫」です。身近な虫の名前を英語でたくさん覚えました。朝のワークステーションやアフタヌーンサークルで準備される虫に関する様々なアクティビティーにも夢中で参加してくれます。「虫」への興味がどんどん高まり、親しみが増しています。そして、外で本物の虫に出会うことは子ども達にとって旧友に会うような感動を与えてくれます。今週の園庭ではてんとう虫、アリ、蝶、バッタ、カタツムリ、蜂、カブトムシ？（死骸でしたが）などを見つけました。ハエやゴキブリでさえ、親しみをもって迎えようとする子ども達、その好奇心と寛容さに、いつも驚かせられています。

This month’s topic is “Insects.” Our children have learned many familiar insect names in English. They enthusiastically participate in various insect-related activities prepared for them during morning circle, workstations and afternoon circles. Their interest in “insects” is growing, and they are becoming more and more familiar with them. Meeting real insects outside gives the children an emotional feeling, like meeting an old friend. This week in the playground, we found ladybugs, ants, butterflies, grasshoppers, snails, bees, and beetles? (though they were dead). We are always amazed at the children’s curiosity and tolerance, as they try to welcome even flies and cockroaches with a friendly attitude.