CGK Times

This term, students have been deeply engaged in our unit of inquiry (UOI), How We Express Ourselves. Through a variety of hands-on learning experiences, students explored how people communicate ideas, emotions, culture, and identity through art, movement, storytelling, and creative expression.

Students investigated different artistic styles and materials by creating self-portraits inspired by Cubism, abstract art, sculpture, and mixed-media techniques. They also explored how art is displayed around the world through museums, murals, sculptures, galleries, and traditional cultural displays.

In addition, students developed their communication skills by writing letters and postcards to one another and participating in Show and Tell activities. Through collaborative discussions and reflection, students practiced sharing ideas, listening to others' perspectives, and expressing themselves with confidence and creativity.

Everyone has been working very hard together, and we are so proud of their creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm. Keep it up!

Ms. Sadie

Hello, this is Miyu. This school year, I have been working with the children as a floater at both the Kannai and Bashamichi campuses. In Sky Class, I have had opportunities to teach children who were in my class when they were in Jungle. Seeing them again after such a long time has brought back fond memories and made their tremendous growth especially clear.

In our current unit, How We Express Ourselves, we are inquiring into how we express our feelings and ideas. Through our lessons, the children have learned that expression can take many forms—not only words, but also facial expressions, body movements, music, and art. It has been fascinating to see each child's individual way of expressing and experiencing things throughout these activities.

The children's growth is evident not only in their appearance but also in their emotional development. In situations where they might once have expressed sadness or frustration through tears, many are now able to compose themselves, explain their feelings in words, and try to resolve matters independently. During questions and reflection, they are also noticing their friends, sharing comments such as, “I liked how ___ expressed that,” or “___ had an interesting idea.” Their efforts to understand and accept the feelings and ideas of others show tremendous growth.

We will continue supporting the children's inquiry so that each child can feel secure expressing feelings and ideas freely in a way that is true to them, while recognizing one another's differences and growing together.

Ms. Miyu

And just like that, Golden Week is over and we are back in the swing of things! This time of year can be a little challenging for our younger friends, especially after such a long break. Many may be feeling extra tired, a little grumpier, or missing their families more than usual. For the most part, though, this has not stopped our Jungle friends from getting involved, trying new things, and reaching new milestones!

Our Show and Tell project has been a wonderful way to build the students' confidence. As they have shared photos and objects with us, we have learned something new about one another each time and watched their confidence grow. Thank you to everyone who has sent in photos or objects—we love hearing about all your adventures!

Our annual Park Day has also come and gone, providing another wonderful opportunity to get to know one another better while having fun in the sunshine. Park Day is all about connecting and meeting face to face, so please feel free to ask us questions or stop for a chat at any time throughout the school year.

All our Jungle friends are settling in so well. As always, thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation. We are excited about the many adventures that await our Jungle friends this year!

Ms. Nina

Our Jungle B friends have been busy becoming caring and responsible members of the classroom community while exploring how to use our belongings safely and independently. Over the past few weeks, we worked together to create a giant rainbow display in the classroom, focusing on one color during each lesson. As we explored red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink, the students strengthened their vocabulary by identifying objects and animals in the world that matched each color. Through hands-on experiences with scissors, glue, crayons, paint, and paper, the children practiced important fine-motor skills while developing confidence in using classroom tools appropriately. The students showed great enthusiasm as they shared ideas and made connections to their everyday experiences, demonstrating strong communication and thinking skills.

As part of our International Baccalaureate (IB) learning journey, Jungle B students demonstrated many Learner Profile attributes, especially being risk-takers, open-minded, communicators, and caring friends throughout the project. At first, some children were hesitant to touch the paint or worried about getting messy, but encouragement and curiosity helped them become more confident in exploring new sensory experiences. By the end of the project, every child was eagerly engaging with the paint, enjoying the sensory experience, and proudly getting a little dirty while creating together. The children collaborated to solve problems, take turns with materials, and encourage one another as the rainbow came together piece by piece. Through inquiry, creativity, and teamwork, the students deepened their understanding of how we can learn and grow when we approach new experiences with an open mind.

Ms. Emily

The Jungle children are gradually becoming accustomed to life at CGK. They are learning the daily routines, where to play, and which toys are available, and we now see so many smiles every day! This month brought CGK Family Week and Park Day. First, the children drew pictures as they reflected on their Golden Week memories. It may look like they are simply drawing, but their minds are busy with many thoughts: “That was so much fun,” “That color really stood out, so I want to use it,” or “How can I draw an airplane?” After finishing, they looked at their pictures with a teacher and used words to explain what they had drawn and what they enjoyed. Some shared specific stories, such as, “I went on an airplane with Mommy!” or “I went to the beach and looked for shells!” It was wonderful to see them express their feelings and ideas in so many different ways. We then displayed the work from both Jungle A and B so the children could enjoy one another's pictures and share their impressions. The activity helped them feel their connection with their families and encouraged them to think more deeply about what “family” means. Each class also practiced games for Park Day and created heartfelt gifts to express love and appreciation for their families. We hope you enjoyed them! At home, please ask questions such as, “What did you make?” or “How did you make it?” You may discover even more of the thought and creativity behind your child's work.

Ms. Yurika

Literacy Week went off without a hitch! Students came dressed in their pajamas on Monday and enjoyed storytelling from mystery teachers from around the school. They were surprised and delighted to see some of their former teachers! On Tuesday, we read to one another. Younger grades read to older students, and older students read to the younger classes. Students learned how to choose books appropriate for their audience and how to read aloud in a clear and engaging way. Some were completely absorbed in the activity, adding funny voices and expressions—a wonderful opportunity to be playful. On Wednesday, we explored reading outdoors and playing with friends. We relaxed under the trees and enjoyed the breeze while reading favorite stories, from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Dog Man. We also played with many different classes and enjoyed the fresh air. On Thursday, we dressed as our favorite book characters and read in the nooks and crannies of the school. The more unusual the location, the more exciting the reading became! We built forts and read by lamplight, enjoying an immersive experience that helped us engage with stories in a unique way. Throughout the week, we encountered many kinds of books that captivated us and encouraged us to ask questions about ourselves and our surroundings. It was a truly exciting experience enjoyed by both teachers and students. Although Literacy Week has ended, students remain inspired and hope to bring elements of it into their class routines. We hope you will pick up a book instead of a phone and enjoy even more reading!

Ms. Chalice