Dear supporting members
KON’NICHIWA
This is the 6th newsletter of the NIHONGO ART CONTEST 2004.
1. We have updated VERBS-ART.
You can see the VERBS-ART (DOUSHI-ART) at http://www.nihongoart.com/NA003.htm.
12 basic verbs are illustrated and each one includes verb stem characters so that it
is easy to memorize not only the meaning but also the spelling. The backgrounds also have
useful hints to practice the particles.
VERBS-ART can be used as flashcards in the class, beginning today!
2. We would like to introduce the report by the supporting member.
MS Michiyo UCHIDA, the Japanese teahcer at St. Louis Adult Learning Centre in Kitchener,
had already organized the class of NIHONGO ART to participate in the contest and she sent
the useful report to us!
<School introduction>
St. Louis Adult Learning Centre belongs to the Catholic School Board in the Waterloo region.
1200 students are learning 10 foreign languages in the International Language Department.
Japanese has been taught since 2003. It is the only Asian language included.
Japanese is taught once a week and the students like Japanese animations or
they are dreaming about going to Japan as an English teacher in the future.
They study not only Japanese language but also Japanese culture through Kendo demonstrations,
Bonsai shows, visiting a Japanese company, tea ceremony, OHANAMI party and so on.
We invited Japanese high school students in May to apply their Japanese skills.
In the elementary class, senior students help young students voluntarily and in the secondary class,
native speaking level students help them.
<Instructions in the class>
The elementary class |
The secondary class |
|
| level | 2 levels | 2 levels |
| age/grade | 4 to 13 years old | Grade 9 to 12 |
| the first week | Teacher: 1.Explained the concept of the contest and rules. 2.Showed some samples and HIRAGANA GANBATTE. 3.Asked to make an idea of own artwork. 4.Provided the entry form for the contest. Students: 1.Saw the sample and discussed NIHONGO ART. 2.Developed own ideas. |
Teacher: 1.Explained the concept of the contest and rules. 2.Showed some samples and HIRAGANA GANBATTE. 3.Asked to make an idea of own artwork. 4.Provided the entry form for the contest. Students: 1.Saw the sample and discussed NIHONGO ART. 2.Developed own ideas. |
| the second week | Teacher: 1. Made a sample on the black board. (A student said one Japanese word and the teacher made the illustration from this word.) Student: 1.Made own artwork. Checked the spelling with the teacher. 2.Exchanged the ideas with other students.
|
Teacher: 1. Made a sample on the black board. (A student said one Japanese word and the teacher made the illustration from this word.) Student: 1.Made own artwork. referenced the dictionary to pick a favorite word. 2.Exchanged the ideas with other students. 3.Made a draft drawing. |
| the third week | Teacher: 1.Showed good artwork to everyone and encouraged and advised students to draw carefully. 2.Checked pelling. 3.Collected the entry form with signatures. Students: They had to finish the artwork. |
Teacher: 1.Showed good artwork to everyone and encouraged and advised students to draw carefully. 2.Checked pelling. 3.Collected the entry form with signatures. Students: They had to finish the artwork. |
| the fourth week | Teacher: 1. Introduced all artwork to everyone. Students: 1.Presented own artwork in Japanese by themselves. |
Teacher: 1. Introduced all artwork to everyone. Students: 1.Presented own artwork in Japanese by themselves. |
| teacher's impressions | I was wondering if 4-6year old kids were able to
understand this activity but they were quick to develop a good idea and finish to the artwork. Students are strongly influenced by animations. |
Some of them tried to use KANJI even though they
haven't learned it yet. I recognized that they like KANJI very much. I am really impressed with their unique and original ideas. Computer graphic work is quite wonderful! |
<Observations>
★The effect of activity
The students were able to approch a word actively and it was a valuable chance to enhance their curiosity and
motivation to study vocabulary and KANJI. It was a great way to learn the meaning of the KANJI as well.
★The future view
I think KATAKANA is also good material to draw the illustrations because most of the students have already
studied KATAKANA as well. Please open KATAKANA entry category next year. It might be a good idea
to set up the theme.
<From NACOC>
The grade1-12 students can participate in this contest, however, we asked Michiyo Sensei to hand in the
artwork by kindergarden kids as a tentative trial for the next contest.
Michiyo sensei informed us that young kids tended to be able to handle NIHONGO ART quite easily and
that KATAKANA ART will be a good thing to try also.
Such information is really useful for us and we appreciated her practical report.
You are welcome to introduce your report of class activities through this newsletter.
3. We would like to remind how you to send the entires. (Important)
The final due is June, 30th. The supporting memers have to collect all entries and submit them.
<Address>
The Japan Foundation Japan, Toronto
MS Noriko Saito
131 Bloor St. W. Suite 213
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 1R1
<How to submit>
You could send entries in one of three ways.
1. Send by mail
We advise you to use registered mailto avoid any losses by mailship.
Any costs will be paid by the school.
2.Submit in person
You could visit the Toronto office of the Japan Foundation Japan to submit the Art in person.
Please check the office hours by phoning 416-966-1600 in advance.
3. Drop off to the library box
You could drop off the art to library return box located beside the office door.
In this case, please advise MS Noriko Saito to check the drop box for your entries.
<Notices>
1. Check the entry form again.
2. Stick the entry form on the back side of the artwork.
3. Place the artwork with its entry form in the clear file.
4. Attach the slip of paper that includes the total number of the entries submitted.
Writer
Yukie Uchida-Koutsaroff