Konnichiwa!
Written by admin on May 27th, 2008One of the things I love about homeschooling is the freedom to study what one is passionate about. Do you know how attractive it is on a transcript for a student to have really excelled at one thing? It’s attractive.
Konnichiwa is hello in Japanese, by the way. I’ll be hearing it more and more around here, I’m sure. I think I told you that Rosetta Stone Japanese is on the way. Well, we are bringing home more and more items to help us in our study of Japan. We were going to start it for 12th grade (next year), but I’d say the fun has already begun. And why not? Why not get in enough work to possibly have two years’ worth of credits under out belts? We have all of the summer ahead of us.
I went to Barnes and Noble this morning and found a stunning book on Japan, full of beautiful pictures, for only 6 dollars. I also got a map of Japan to go on the wall. I picked up a kit to learn Japanese ink painting. B&N also had some of their journals on sale, so I picked up two very Japanese-looking journals, one for me and one for Joseph. I will use mine like I always do. Joseph will fill his with clippings of Japanese news, any Haiku he writes, any ink painting he does and copies of the papers he will be writing.
After leaving Barnes and Noble, I ran by Whole Foods (I miss you guys!) and then I ran into the near-by thrift store. I lucked out! What was on the shelf but a small conversation pocket guide for learning Japanese and some magazines and children’s books, totally in Japanese! Also, I found this beautiful jar with an old sticker underneath that says “Japan.” I think it’s been a good day for Joseph. This, of course, is the beginning of Joseph’s collection of books on Japan that he’ll take with him when he leaves home.
Now, after leafing through all these books and drooling over the very serene Japanese gardens, I want one. I have an area that I might turn into one.
If you want to see pictures of a great Japanese garden in the US, it’s in Portland and they have a website.
Sayonara!
The Hundred Dresses
The Family Under the Bridge
Caddie Woodlawn. With the Wisconsin big woods theme, goes along great with a FIAR study of The Raft.
A Year Down Yonder
A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning
Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study With the Gentle Art of Learning: A Story for Mother Culture. Sweet fictional story about a newly homeschooling mother who incorporates nature study.
Nature Crafts for Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Make With Mother Nature's Help
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady
The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition
Awakening Beauty the Dr. Hauschka Way
A Redbird Christmas: A Novel
The Usborne Internet-Linked Book of Knowledge
What Your Fifth Grader Needs to Know
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
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Hi Lynn;
I’ve been trying to e-mail you for two weeks, but it keeps coming back saying your server is full. Is that right? I’ve got some garden pics and the potting bench is finished!!! Yeah!
27
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Oh, Luana, I cannot wait to see.
On my end of things it doesn’t look full, but close to full. That may be the problem. I’ve purged a lot of old mail, so do try again! I’m so glad you left a comment for me!
Lynn
28
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That’s an exciting focus of study that you are setting up. We just got the Rosetta Stone program for Spanish. The farmer needs to learn for his job since he travels to a spot in Mexico where not much English is spoken.
- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
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Suzanne, I’m so glad you commented. Yes, we are very excited about this study.
I love your blog. The recipe looks great — one I’ll have to try.
Lynn
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I lived in Okinawa when I was younger and I have great memories! I love the culture, the food, the beaches… My husband was stationed in Japan for six years and he really liked it, too. Have fun with your study!!
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Amber, my husband was stationed there before we were married. I would love to have been there with him. I know you treasure your memories.
Lynn