モニカは伊豆に行く。
この物語はモニカの学校の旅行についてです。今日彼女と沢山学生は伊豆に行きました。金曜日に帰る。
Every Spring, the 7th Graders at ASIJ take a class trip to the Izu Pennisula of Japan. Monica and her classmates have been looking forward to this adventure all year.
During the last several weeks she has been very busy in Science Class learning about the Ecosystem of that area. The waters off Izu abound in a rich variety of marine life, making it a singularly special place on earth. Every student was assigned three marine animals to write a Field Guide Card on, and she definitely did her research, as well as making a powerpoint presentation for the class. Then, the science teacher collected all the students' offerings and had them printed in a special book which each of the students received, so that they all have each of the entries, like a real Field Guide.
The Izu area was also the place where Admiral Perry first appeared, back in 1853 (according to Monica) so the students have been learning about that section of History in their LASS class (Language Arts and Social Studies). They had a test on Friday about it, as well as the Japanese culture in the area.
They will each have their IZU book with them at all times, as it has indispensible info about their various activities and schedule, who they will share a cabin with, and data that they must record as they make their way through the week of activities.
There is even a section about how to behave in an onsen, to reinforce what they talked about in class. Of course, there are lots of Japanese kids at the school, and they are familiar with onsens, but with children from more than 40 countries from around the world represented at ASIJ, there are also plenty of children who haven't had the onsen experience. Monica told me that some students were very nervous about going into the onsen and asked if it was required, because they didn't want to go. But she reassured them. She said, "I mean, onsens are Great! Who wouldn't want to go!" Though I remember how shy she was at first, (me too) when our family ventured to a Hakone onsen early on. Now, we take every opportunity, though it's not often enough.
Some of the other activities she will get to experience are: Aquarium, Snorkel, Tidepool, Culture day at Shimada, Kayak, Hiking, Beach and algae, Games, Friendship bracelets, and sandsculping.
_______I hope she has a wonderful time._______
SPEAKING of trips, I discovered a new photo sharing site, and I spent a good part of the day learning how to use it by putting the photos there. I chose a one day hike in Colorado in August and a one day boat trip in Phuket in March. There's too many pictures, I know, I know... The site is Smugmug and here is the link: http://pamelask8s.smugmug.com/
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