Included this week in Japanese News:-
- Gr 3-6 students learning to read and write in Japanese
- Japanese apps for studying
Grade 3-6 students are learning to read and write in Japanese!
This term Grade 3-6 students have been learning ‘hiragana’ - one of the three writing systems in Japanese. To introduce the new characters we have been using fun mnemonic strategies such as turning the shapes of the characters into pictures and thinking of things that remind us of the sound the character makes.
Students have also begun earning ‘hiragana belts’ by colour coding hiragana in the order of karate belts (white - black) to assist with self study and goal setting. Just like karate, when students are ready to earn their belt and move up to the next level they need to pass a test. There is no need to be nervous though! Tests are very casual, can be taken at any time, takes less than 2 minutes and students can do re-do the test as many times as they like.
Every Grade 3-6 student is in the process of making their own set of hiragana flashcards. A great deal of work has been put into making these flashcards so it is vital that students look after them. They can be taken home to study but must return to school for use in their Japanese lessons. If a student loses their flashcards they will not be given replacements. It is the responsibility of students to put their name on their flashcards and store them somewhere safe.
This term Grade 3-6 students have been learning ‘hiragana’ - one of the three writing systems in Japanese. To introduce the new characters we have been using fun mnemonic strategies such as turning the shapes of the characters into pictures and thinking of things that remind us of the sound the character makes.
Students have also begun earning ‘hiragana belts’ by colour coding hiragana in the order of karate belts (white - black) to assist with self study and goal setting. Just like karate, when students are ready to earn their belt and move up to the next level they need to pass a test. There is no need to be nervous though! Tests are very casual, can be taken at any time, takes less than 2 minutes and students can do re-do the test as many times as they like.
Every Grade 3-6 student is in the process of making their own set of hiragana flashcards. A great deal of work has been put into making these flashcards so it is vital that students look after them. They can be taken home to study but must return to school for use in their Japanese lessons. If a student loses their flashcards they will not be given replacements. It is the responsibility of students to put their name on their flashcards and store them somewhere safe.
Japanese apps for studying at home!
Many students are motivated to improve their Japanese skills by using their hiragana flashcards to self study - this is fantastic! To assist your children with their Japanese there are many engaging apps available for tablets. If you have a tablet device at home you could make a Japanese folder for these apps so that they are easy for your child to find. These are some of my favourite Japanese learning apps for children: Dr Moku’s Hiragana Mnemonics, Learn to Write Hiragana - Japanese, and Learn Japanese With Tako.
Ganbatte kudasai (good luck) and happy studying! - Erica sensei.
Many students are motivated to improve their Japanese skills by using their hiragana flashcards to self study - this is fantastic! To assist your children with their Japanese there are many engaging apps available for tablets. If you have a tablet device at home you could make a Japanese folder for these apps so that they are easy for your child to find. These are some of my favourite Japanese learning apps for children: Dr Moku’s Hiragana Mnemonics, Learn to Write Hiragana - Japanese, and Learn Japanese With Tako.
Ganbatte kudasai (good luck) and happy studying! - Erica sensei.