It has been another wonderful and meaningful week in Milky Way!
One of this week’s highlights was our visit to Shimauchi Campus, where we enjoyed an “Introduction to Inquiry” activity together with our Rainforest friends. We also created a special thank-you message for Kai’s family to show our appreciation for welcoming us to their vineyard and allowing us to enjoy the wonderful grape-harvesting experience recently. 🍇💕
“Give One, Get One” at Shimauchi Campus!
As part of our introduction to the new inquiry, Ms. Richine from Shimauchi Campus led us through a fun activity called “Give One, Get One.”
The Shimauchi Campus library has so many wonderful books! Each child partnered up with a friend and chose a book they liked. First, they shared what they liked about their book with their partner. This was the “Give One” part.
Then, they listened carefully as their partner shared about their favorite book. This was the “Get One” part.
It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to practice not only sharing their own ideas, but also listening carefully to someone else’s ideas.
After that, Ms. Richine asked the children, “What do you think we might learn about in our new unit starting next week?”
Everyone eagerly raised their hands and shared their ideas!
“Reading?”
“Talking?”
“Sharing!”
“Stories!”
So many wonderful ideas were shared!
It was lovely to see the children connecting what they already know and have experienced with what they might learn next.
After enjoying our UOI lesson together, we had lots of fun playing outside!
We discovered caterpillars and even a big praying mantis, jumped across the tire playground equipment, played tag, and enjoyed lots of other outdoor activities with our Rainforest friends. 😊
What made us especially happy was seeing both Milky Way and Rainforest children being wonderful Communicators. They used the many skills they have developed so far to talk with one another, listen to each other, invite friends to play, and build new connections.
What wonderful Communicators you are, Milky Way and Rainforest! 🥰
Stranger Safety Practice
At the beginning of the week, we also had a stranger safety drill.
When a police officer, who was acting as a stranger, approached and spoke to the children, they did not respond. Instead, they listened carefully to their Learning Facilitator and quickly and safely moved inside the school.
After the drill, our older children had an opportunity to listen to a talk from the police officers.
As expected, our oldest children did a wonderful job! They remembered the “Ika no Osushi” safety rules very well, and the police officers were very impressed with them. 👏
Through this experience, the children were able to review some important safety messages, such as not going with strangers, not getting into a stranger’s car, calling for help, running away, and telling a trusted adult.
Exploring Autumn Foods 🍠🎃
During our Japanese inquiry time, we explored autumn foods through a fun true-or-false quiz.
The children were surprised to learn that some pumpkins can actually grow bigger than they are!
We also explored where different foods grow. We talked about how vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots grow in fields, while rice grows in rice paddies.
We asked the children:
“Rice grows in a rice paddy. True or false?”
Most of the children answered, “True!”
But the correct answer was… ❌ False!
One child immediately called out, “Why?!”
We explained that vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots grow in fields, while rice grows in rice paddies.
“What’s the difference?” another child asked.
Then one child came up with an idea:
“Maybe because there is water in a rice paddy?”
Another child suddenly realized,
“Oh! That’s right!”
This was such a wonderful moment for us to see.
The children were asking questions, listening to each other’s ideas, thinking together, and discovering answers as a group.
This is exactly the kind of learning we hope to encourage through the IB inquiry cycle. ✨
We also played a team game to help the children practice remembering “right” and “left.” They had to listen carefully and then move according to the instructions.
At first, a few children bumped into each other, but they kept trying and encouraging one another. By the end, we could see everyone moving together in a smooth and coordinated way! 👏
Learning Through Our Workstations!
Our workstations have also been a wonderful opportunity for the children to develop a variety of skills while having fun.
When working with friends, we saw children discussing together and asking questions such as, “How can we do this together?” and “Which one should we do first?”
They are learning not only to express their own ideas, but also to listen to their friends’ ideas and observe different ways of doing things. Through these experiences, they are naturally developing their communication and collaboration skills.
During activities that involved using their hands and fingers, we also saw many children concentrating carefully and working until they completed their tasks.
Even when something was a little challenging, they did not give up easily. Instead, we heard, “Let me try one more time!” as they continued to experiment and find their own ways to solve problems.
These small challenges and successes each day are helping the children build confidence and develop a sense of “I can do it!”
A New Unit Is Just Around the Corner!
This week gave us many opportunities to reflect on our learning so far and connect it to what comes next.
Our time at Shimauchi Campus was especially meaningful. We saw the Milky Way and Rainforest children spending time together, listening to each other, sharing their ideas, and connecting through play.
Being a “Communicator” is not only about sharing our own thoughts. It is also about listening carefully to what others have to say.
The “Give One, Get One” activity was a wonderful example of this.
After sharing what they liked about their own books, the children listened carefully to their partners talk about their favorite books. By listening to one another, they discovered new interests and learned more about their friends.
The children also shared many ideas about what they might learn in our new unit:
“Reading?”
“Talking?”
“Sharing!”
“Stories!”
What kind of inquiry will begin next week?
The children already seem very excited to find out! 😊
This week, we learned through play, thought together with our friends, and continued to value all those wonderful “Why?” and “How come?” questions.
Every time we see a child make a small discovery, ask a question, or take on a new challenge with a “Let me try!” attitude, we are reminded of how much they are growing.
Next week, our new unit will officially begin!
We are very excited to see what questions the children will ask, what discoveries they will make, and where their curiosity will take them.
Thank you, Milky Way, for another wonderful week together! 🥰
And as always, thank you to all our wonderful families for supporting and warmly watching over your children’s learning and growth.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 🌈✨
