Chopsticks and sushi were so much fun! We also had some stir fry with sticky rice so the kids could eat lunch. Our first attempt with the sushi was definitely not as successful as Steve's (shown below). You should have seen the look on Eva's face when we told her the wrapper was seaweed- she first thought we were joking, then was absolutely disgusted. She only slightly changed her mind later. (And yes, that is my ninja suit.)
Ninjas need good balance, so Estee gave them some ninja training doing yoga poses! (Look! A picture of Estee...kind of...)
Here is Steve's sushi artwork. Then we tested sumo wrestling. THAT was a hit!!! If you can't tell, we took two of Steve's T-shirts, stuffed a couch pillow over their bellies and another in back, and then tied a knot on the bottom. This was very fun! It was hilarious watching our little marshmallow children jumping around. Rule #1: no running at each other- only walking. That kept it fun!
Then we did group violin class on Monday! I was very impressed with how long the kids worked this week! We did a few review/warm up songs and then did our Rolos for Solos. Eva especially worked hard on "Lightly Row." I'm glad she's getting the "I-think-I-can" spirit! Will worked hard on his "I'm a Little Monkey" and Bella did great on her "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Scotty and Graham did an awesome job on the "Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha" song from Strings Fun and Easy, book 1. They're all progressing so well, and I think it's so fun that they get to play together, too. So as a group, they all played/practiced Haiku! Next week I'll bring my rainstick, drums and gong to complete that song- so cool!
A little taste of Japanese kimonos...I'll have to get pics of the other kids next time. They were coloring their Japanese fans (pictured later).
And then, the SUMO!!! They were very ready for this. We had them watch a little National Geographic clip on sumo wrestling, taught them how to stretch their legs and squat low...
The trampoline added a whole new element!
ROAR!
Eva really stretched those legs!
Will got her this time!! Bella seems afraid for Eva...
Will and Bella just bounced off of each other, laughing. There was a lot of laughing going on!
Now there are some fierce warriors!!
Then our ninja warriors received their katanas (paint-stirring sticks that Estee spray painted and decorated with different colors of duct tape while the kids colored their fans.) They also learned the art of slow-motion sword fighting...there was a lot of sound-effect singing. That was also really fun!
Oh, and look, we were there, too!
Japanese fans! Oh, Will...cracks me up every time!
Little ninja showed off his sound effects the next morning!
Ninja Coaching...Thanks Uncle Steve!
I love your Japan activities!! What a fun learning/play experience for the kids. Do you do this every week? Way to make learning fun for the kids!
ReplyDeleteWe do it twice a week, actually! Japan has been so fun! I wish you could be here to tell us about your experiences in Japan! We are following the Magic Tree House series, reading it together, and learning about that topic. We started out thinking we would do a new topic/unit each week, but it's become two week units because of all of the fun stuff we want to do! So far, we are on the Magic Tree House book #5, Night of the Ninjas. It's a great motivator- and chooses what's for dinner, if you know what I mean.
DeleteMakes me wish I was there!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the throwing salt over your shoulder as a Sumo. It seems to be very important.