{"id":299223,"date":"2025-12-12T14:19:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T05:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/isnedu.org\/?post_type=nagano-campus&p=299223"},"modified":"2025-12-12T15:14:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T06:14:40","slug":"nagano-shooting-stars-%e2%9d%84%ef%b8%8f-one-week-until-the-show-november-8th-12th","status":"publish","type":"nagano-campus","link":"https:\/\/isnedu.org\/en\/nagano-campus\/nagano-shooting-stars-%e2%9d%84%ef%b8%8f-one-week-until-the-show-november-8th-12th\/","title":{"rendered":"Nagano Shooting Stars: \u2744\ufe0f One Week Until the Show! (November 8th – 12th)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Feliz Navidad, everyone!
We can hardly believe it \u2014 just one more week until the performance!<\/strong> The children have been wonderfully busy, and all their hard work is really starting to pay off.  Today we held our dress rehearsal<\/strong>, and although everything went well, a few children were understandably a little nervous. If you can, please remind them at home to simply have fun<\/strong>, speak loudly and clearly, and smile. As long as they try their best, the show will be fantastic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udfb6 Music Class Magic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Music class was a real highlight this week. We practiced with Aurora<\/strong> again, and the children\u2019s effort at home is really showing \u2014 effort truly pays off! If they perform next week the way they did in class on Thursday, we\u2019ll be in great shape for show day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u270f\ufe0f Phonics Fun: From Snow\u2026 to Poo!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even with all the rehearsals, we managed to fit in some phonics practice.
Last week we learned to spell \u201csnow,\u201d<\/strong> and this week the children had a good laugh learning to spell \u201cpoo\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 yes, the long vowel oo<\/em> sound, as in poo at the zoo<\/em>. Very useful indeed, hehe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are this week\u2019s story and phonics resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcda Read-Aloud Story<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Poo at the Zoo<\/strong>
<\/strong> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m7gb91M48eY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2744\ufe0f <\/strong>ow<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 \u201cblow the snow\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Frj9QFtty84
<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IHif9omv8Aw&list=RDIHif9omv8Aw&start_radio=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc12 <\/strong>oo<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 Long vowel sound<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EznXKeFnJX0
<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tZnTQ7cjOXk
<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zVkmkeu-Img
<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HnNujEkQ77Y<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfae <\/strong>oo<\/em><\/strong> Games<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Long \u201coo\u201d sound game:
https:\/\/wordwall.net\/en-us\/community\/long-oo-sound<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phonics and writing sheets have been sent home for homework.
No need to rush through them<\/strong> \u2014 we know it will be a busy week ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some pictures of us making story maps for the show. We include characters, setting and beginning, middle and end!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf84 Getting Into the Christmas Spirit<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

To celebrate the season, here are some interesting Christmas facts and traditions<\/strong> from Europe and the UK \u2014 many of which might be new or surprising for readers in Japan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf84 Christmas Decorations & the 6th of January<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2b50 Twelfth Night Superstition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the UK and much of Europe, Christmas decorations traditionally stay up until January 6th<\/strong>, known as Twelfth Night<\/strong>.
According to old folklore, taking decorations down before<\/strong> or after<\/strong> that date can bring bad luck<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why January 6th?
It marks Epiphany<\/strong>, the day the Three Wise Men are said to have visited the baby Jesus \u2014 the traditional end of the Christmas season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf84 Christmas Trees<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf32 Pagan Roots<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Long before Christmas existed, ancient European peoples brought evergreen plants indoors during winter to symbolize eternal life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf84 The First Modern Christmas Tree<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The modern version of the Christmas tree started in 16th-century Germany<\/strong>, where trees were decorated with apples, nuts, and candles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc51 Royal Trendsetters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Christmas trees became fashionable in Britain after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were shown with one in the 1840s \u2014 from there, the tradition spread around the world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the Christmas tree I decorated last year back in England! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf85 Father Christmas & Santa Claus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf85 Two Characters Become One<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Britain, Father Christmas<\/strong> originally represented winter, feasting, and merrymaking \u2014 he wore green robes<\/strong>, not red, and wasn\u2019t a gift-giver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Claus<\/strong>, on the other hand, came from Dutch settlers and the story of St. Nicholas<\/strong> (\u201cSinterklaas\u201d).
Other countries had very different figures too \u2014 some friendly, some\u2026 not so friendly (like Krampus!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, Father Christmas and Santa Claus blended into the familiar red-suited, jolly Santa<\/strong> we know today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcee Santa Letters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the UK, children can write to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Father Christmas<\/strong>
<\/strong> North Pole<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Royal Mail has been receiving and replying to children\u2019s letters since the 1960s<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udc8b Mistletoe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You might see mistletoe hanging in doorways. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe<\/strong> comes from an old Norse legend that made the plant a symbol of peace and love<\/strong>. If two people find themselves under it \u2014 a kiss is expected!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf3f Holly, Ivy & the Winter Robin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Holly<\/strong> was once believed to protect homes from evil spirits. Its bright red berries and shiny leaves made it a favourite decoration long before modern ornaments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ivy<\/strong> symbolised loyalty and friendship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the beloved robin<\/strong> became a Christmas symbol after Victorian postmen \u2014 who wore red uniforms \u2014 were nicknamed \u201crobins.\u201d Early Christmas cards often showed robins delivering letters. Because robins stay in the UK during winter, they are a familiar sight all season long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udfa5 Christmas Videos for Kids<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

A few cosy videos to enjoy at home:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26c4 The Snowman<\/strong> (short movie)
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mzplnhz1SLc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26c4 Frosty the Snowman<\/strong>
<\/strong> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=57B86Hy4lXU<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc31 Pete the Cat \u2013 Christmas<\/strong>
<\/strong> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LaNAxn64NwA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf85 Dear Santa<\/strong>
<\/strong> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mu78cOHECy8<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a wonderful week!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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