December 2023

 What's Happening This Month

  Here's the calendar for December.   Winter vacation begins 12/24 and we resume classes on 1/4.

Culture Corner:  Christmas in Japan

The first Christmas in Japan was celebrated in the year 1594; when the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier introduced Christianity.  Unlike in Western countries; where Christmas is a national holiday, Christmas is just a regular working  day.  However, Christmas only became popular in Japan after WWII, with the introduction of Santa, gift giving and Christmas cake.  In Japan, Christmas Eve is a couples holiday.  In Western countries both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are celebrated with family members (much like New Years Day - Oshogatsu in Japan).  The Idea of KFC for Christmas dinner started in 1974 with a very successful advertising campaign - "Kentucky for Christmas!?!"

Do you and your family enjoy KFC for Christmas dinner?  Have a merry 

Teacher's Corner

Idiom of the Month

To light up like a Christmas tree - Something had a positive effect on someone's mood.  Some event or situation made someone happy.

"When Taro opened  his present and saw the PS5, his face lit up like a Christmas tree."

Riddle of the Month

Where does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?  For the answer, please ask Leo Teacher.

Inside The Classroom

This month we're looking at what our 5th and 6th graders are learning in Everybody Up 3.  We're studying the last lesson in the book - Unit #7, and we're learning to use the past tense.  Try and practice at home:

Textbook:

    Q:  Where was he/she (yesterday)?

    A:  He/ She was at the (beach).

Try - Where were you (yesterday)?

            I was at (home).

Here are some other expressions you can try:

• the day before yesterday
• last weekend
• last week
• last (Saturday)
• last month

Note:  When answering the question we use "at" + place.

             Here are some things to remember:

                "at home" / "at school" / "at work"

            Other places will use "at a (place)" or "at the (place)"