Let`s learn some vocabulary we can use during Fall!
1. Leaves
In fall, the leaves change color and fall to the ground.
2. Pumpkin
A pumpkin is a fall vegetable often enjoyed in October.
3. School
Students return to school at the start of fall.
4. Sweater
The weather is slowly becoming cooler so we can start to wear sweaters.
5. Autumn
Autumn is another way of saying fall!
Hurray for World Rhino Day!
Rhinoceroses are brilliant beasts known for their awesome, giant horns that grow from their snouts – hence the name “rhinoceros', meaning “nose horn”. Rhinoceroses are large animals that weigh 3 to 5 tons. They are about 8 to 13 feet (2.5 to 4 meters) long. Rhinos are herbivores which means they mainly feed on plants. Black rhinos are the oldest group of mammals, making them living fossils. Did you know that when a rhino is startled it can stampede up to 30 miles per hour!
As far back as the early 1990s, the crisis related to rhinos in Africa, particularly the black rhinos in Zimbabwe, became well known and people began to be concerned.
In 2010, most people did not know just how close the planet was coming to the total extinction of this majestic species.
So critical and dire was the condition of the species that less than 30,000 rhinos were alive in the world at that time. It was because of this that the WWF-South Africa announced World Rhino Day with the desire to save the world’s remaining rhinos, an effort that grew to be an unprecedented success.
Celebrating World Rhino Day starts by people deciding to educate themselves on the plight of rhinoceros in the modern world. In this way, people can figure out what actions they can take to help save those that remain.
Here are ways to celebrate saving the world`s 'rhinoses'.
Learn More About Rhino-Friendly Organizations.
You can read about saving these mammals from reputable organizations like, World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Save the Rhino International, and International Rhino Foundation.
Adopt an Orphan Rhino.
You can adopt an orphan baby rhino through Helping Rhinos Organization. Adoption participation is a minimal cost per month or year, and those who want to adopt can choose which baby rhino they want to help support. Adoption comes with a certificate with the name, photo, and fact sheet of the adopted rhino.
Share with Family and Friends about Rhinos.
Throw a little party or get-together in honor of Rhino Day where guests can be educated on the worries about the future for Rhinos. Help guests understand what they can do to help promote the cause, and perhaps take some donations to send to organizations, or encourage guests to consider adopting one of the orphan rhinos.
Yesterday, September 18th, was Respect for the Aged Day!
This is a holiday celebrated in Japan in which people pay respect to and celebrate their elders.
Many communities throw parties to honour their elders and offer special gifts to bring even more longevity to their lives.
How did you celebrate Respect for the Aged Day?
Don`t forget to remind your grandparents how special they are to you!
You might have heard the words `Fall` and `Autumn` before, but what`s the difference?
They both refer to the same thing! Fall and Autumn are both words used to describe the season which occurs from September to November.
Fall is the word used in America.
Autumn is the word used in the United Kingdom.
Both are correct so don`t be afraid to use them!
Yesterday (August 28th) was the summer bank holiday in the UK.
A bank holiday is the same as a public holiday in Japan.
In the UK, public holidays are called "bank holidays" because originally they were days when the banks would close.
The August bank holiday takes place on the last Monday of August and marks the end of the summer vacation. Most people return to work at the end of August and schools begin again from September.
In London, the Notting Hill Carnival is held to celebrate the August Bank holiday. This carnival is a street festival best known for it`s costumes, dancing and music performed by steel drum bands.
In Japan, there are many festivals and ways to celebrate the summer. Did you do anything fun this summer vacation? Be sure to tell us all about it when you visit Amity! We would love to hear about it!
Tooth Fairy Day in August!
National Tooth Fairy Day on August 22nd celebrates the excitement and wonder of kids losing their teeth!
Others celebrate this on the 28th of February and others, well, celebrate it in both dates. These holidays are widely supported by dentists worldwide as it promotes dental health for everyone, especially in children.
Many countries around the world have certain traditions that revolve around the idea of a tooth fairy. The tradition goes that a child who loses a baby tooth can leave it under his or her pillow that night and a fairy will come to collect the tooth in exchange for a coin or a treat.
Here are some activities you might like to do on this day!
- Watch a movie or read a book about Tooth Fairy tales
- Prepare for a Tooth Fairy visit
- Do dental activities like brushing and flossing
- Visit your dentist
Tomorrow Amity opens again after being closed for Obon vacation. We`re excited to see you all again!
Let`s learn how to talk about Obon in English!
- What is Obon?
Obon is a summer event where people welcome the spirits of their ancestors home. It is sometimes called Bon Festival in English.
- How do you celebrate Obon?
Many people hang lanterns outside their houses to guide spirits.
Obon dances are performed.
Food offerings are made at house altars.
The graves of relatives are visited.
People attend festivals
- Obon vocabulary
Spirit
Ancestor
Relative
Lantern
Altar
Grave
Did you do anything interesting during Obon?
Please tell us all about how you celebrate!
８月１８日よりお休み明けレッスンスタートです！
８月１８日からのレッスンでは・・・
年中～小学校高学年会話クラスでコピーチャットと絵本を使いますので、
お忘れのないようお持ちください！
夏休み、充実できていますか？
夏休みもあっという間で、残り約２週間になってしまいました( ﾉД`)
あと少しで終わってしまいますが、悔いのないように、充実した日々を送ってくださいね♪
August's Supermoons and Rare Blue Moon
August 2023 is such an exciting month for all our stargazers and spotters out there.
One, because there are two full moons this month.
We usually have one full moon a month so this month, it is different or special so to speak.
The first full moon happened on the 1st of August and the next one coming up is on the 30th.
People fondly call this occurrence 'A Rare Blue Moon'. And Yes, we got the expression 'once in a blue moon' from this heavenly event making it's meaning as, rarely or does not happen too often.
The next 'rare blue moon' will be on May 2026 that is three years from now.
So, try to spot this rare blue moon on the 30th but remember, according to NASA, a blue moon is not blue in color at all.
Two, because both full moons in August are 'Supermoons'.
Supermoon occurs when the Moon is full and it's orbit is closest to Earth making it larger and brighter than an average moon. August's full moons are second and third supermoons of four consecutive supermoons.
The last supermoon will be on the 28th of September and is dubbed as 'Harvest Moon'.
If you miss this 30th's Blue Supermoon, you will have to wait nine years for your next chance!
