JAPANESE Newsletter December 2014 Dear Students and Families, Konnichiwa! (Hello) December is “Samui” (cold) season and some year, record snow in Japan. Japanese people clean their homes and finish their work for refreshing start and carry over great feelings in New Year. The end of year is called “toshikoshi”. People cook “soba” (buckwheat noodles), celebrate “shinnen” (New Year) with their families. It is called “toshikoshi-soba”. It is thought that soba is a bringer of good luck, family fortunes, and longevity because soba is physically long. From 12/1 to 12/5 are Japanese week. Children learn Japanese culture, foods, festivals and playing games for fun. In December, the first two weeks, we will focus on the “Toys” theme. In second two weeks we will focus on the “National holidays” theme. See you at the Japanese class! Sincerely, Mrs. Akane Toys にんぎょう（人形）つみき（積み木）ぬりえ（塗り絵）ぬいぐるみきしゃ（汽車）わなげ（輪投げ）けんだま（けん玉）こま（独楽）もくば（木馬）すごろく Pronunciation ni-n-gyo-u tu-mi-ki nu-ri-e nu-i-gu-ru-mi ki-sha wa-na-ge ke-n-da-ma ko-ma mo-ku-ba su-go-ro-ku English dolls blocks coloring stuffed animals/toys train ring throw game cup and ball game spinning tops rocking horse board game Foods pronunciation サンタクローストナカイえんとつ（煙突）おくりもの（贈り物）よる（夜）そりあかいはな（赤い鼻）ろうそく（蝋燭）ゆき（雪）ほし（星） sa-n-ta-ku-roo-su to-na-ka-i e-n-to-tu o-ku-ri-mo-no yo-ru so-ri a-ka-i-ha-na ro-u-so-ku yu-ki ho-shi English Santa Claus reindeer chimney present night sled/sleigh red nose candle snow star Basic Japanese cursive syllabary (Japanese alphabet) -- Pronunciation あかさたなはまやらわいきしちにひみりうくすつぬふむゆるをえけせてねへめれおこそとのほもよろん a i u e o ka ki ku ke ko sa shi su se so ta ti tu te to na ni nu ne no ha hi hu he ho ma mi mu me mo ya yu yo ra ri ru re ro wa wo n