Herndon Sensei's News Corner
February 16 Newsletter
Course Updates on February 16, 2016
Welcome 12 week students to Japanese IIAB and for 18, 16, and 14 week students, your grades have been updated.
We sure have had some "samui tenki (cold weather)" but I think it is getting "atatakai tenki (warm weather)." Then soon it will be "atsui tenki (hot weather)" in the South. I would like to enjoy just a mild weather of spring like in Japan. Of course people in Japan are still in "iyana tenki (bad weather)" with snow storms and freezing temperature, so I should be happy where I am.
Just as I have used some Japanese in English sentences above, try inserting words and phrases you learned in Japanese as you think and talk during the day. Teach your family members a few words of Japanese. They will be impressed with what you are learning. Remember, the more you use, the better you learn when learning a foreign language.
Happy learning^.^
Herndon Sensei
We sure have had some "samui tenki (cold weather)" but I think it is getting "atatakai tenki (warm weather)." Then soon it will be "atsui tenki (hot weather)" in the South. I would like to enjoy just a mild weather of spring like in Japan. Of course people in Japan are still in "iyana tenki (bad weather)" with snow storms and freezing temperature, so I should be happy where I am.
Just as I have used some Japanese in English sentences above, try inserting words and phrases you learned in Japanese as you think and talk during the day. Teach your family members a few words of Japanese. They will be impressed with what you are learning. Remember, the more you use, the better you learn when learning a foreign language.
Happy learning^.^
Herndon Sensei
Tips for Success
Do you ever print out "Printed Lessons" in Handout? Pretty much all your module lessons are built based on the materials in Printed Lessons. Yes, I know. You are taking online course, but it doesn't hurt to have a hard copy of your learning materials.
For example, on the very first page of Printed Lessons, there are key words and expressions. They are the most important ones you have to know for each lesson. Then on the second page or so, there are Grammar Points and Cultural Info.
When reviewing for your Module Tests and Final Exam, they are the easiest to use because you don't have to search all over the modules.
So if you haven't started, start printing out Printed Lessons and put them in a folder. Do you need the material from Japanese I? Glad you asked. They are available in Georgia Virtual Learning Shared Resources http://www.gavirtuallearning.org/Resources/WLResources/WLShared/SharedJapanese1.aspx
For example, on the very first page of Printed Lessons, there are key words and expressions. They are the most important ones you have to know for each lesson. Then on the second page or so, there are Grammar Points and Cultural Info.
When reviewing for your Module Tests and Final Exam, they are the easiest to use because you don't have to search all over the modules.
So if you haven't started, start printing out Printed Lessons and put them in a folder. Do you need the material from Japanese I? Glad you asked. They are available in Georgia Virtual Learning Shared Resources http://www.gavirtuallearning.org/Resources/WLResources/WLShared/SharedJapanese1.aspx
"It's Time for Exams" Discussion Challenge
I say "Exams, " but fortunately they are not your "Exams." From the beginning of February to the middle of March, Japanese schools and some students face the most stressful time called "Juken Season."That is when 9th graders take Entrance Exams to high schools and 12th graders to colleges and universities. Most of the entrance exams are one time only, and if they fail, they have to choose a school they may not want to go, or wait another year to try the one they really want to get in.
Here is the challenge.
Deadline of this Bonus activity is the next assignment due date: Thursday, Feb. 25.
What's the prize? 5pt. for Excellent post, 4 pt. for Fair and 3pt. for Participation. All extra credit will be added to your grade book monthly at the end of each month.
Here is the challenge.
- Read an article "It is Never Too Early to Start Juken" from Japan Times http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/02/02/language/its-never-too-early-to-start-juken/#.VsSbVOYXL9r
- Write your opinions, both good and bad, of "Juken." You have to write at least 1 aspect that you could think as a benefit of "Juken" in your comment. Also include 1 Japanese word that are related to "Juken" in the article and brief description of it.
- Submit it in Discussion "It's Time for Exams" Discussion and leave comments to others' posts as well.
Deadline of this Bonus activity is the next assignment due date: Thursday, Feb. 25.
What's the prize? 5pt. for Excellent post, 4 pt. for Fair and 3pt. for Participation. All extra credit will be added to your grade book monthly at the end of each month.
Good-Luck Monkeys
2016 is the Year of the Monkey, so here is an interesting story about orangutans that are attracting Japanese people especially those who are taking exams this year. They pay a special visit to watch orangutans swinging and hanging from trees and vines so succeessfully. Why? They never fall, or "ochiru" which also means to "fail." Those Japanese students are forgetting about the famous saying "Saru-mo ki-kara ochiru," or "Even monkeys fall from the trees." I'm glad I didn't depend my exam results on the Good-Luck Monkeys. I did my share of Juken Benkyoo, or "Exam Study."
https://youtu.be/bm22Jw4tqMM
https://youtu.be/bm22Jw4tqMM
GaVS Spring Break
GaVS Spring Break is scheduled as April 4 ~ 8
If your school has a different time for spring break, you are still responsible for submitting your assignments on Assignments Due Dates. Please adjust your schedule accordingly.
For example, if your spring break is the week of March 28 and want to have a week off, you need to plan to not to take a break from GaVS work when GaVS is taking a break. You just need to do the work for the week of March 28 during the week of April 4 and submit the assignments by April 14.
If your spring break is the week of April 11, you also need to work during GaVS spring break and submit the required assignments before your spring break starts. As long as you submit by the midnight of April 14, you are fine.
If you need assistance in managing your schedule, please contact me.
If your school has a different time for spring break, you are still responsible for submitting your assignments on Assignments Due Dates. Please adjust your schedule accordingly.
For example, if your spring break is the week of March 28 and want to have a week off, you need to plan to not to take a break from GaVS work when GaVS is taking a break. You just need to do the work for the week of March 28 during the week of April 4 and submit the assignments by April 14.
If your spring break is the week of April 11, you also need to work during GaVS spring break and submit the required assignments before your spring break starts. As long as you submit by the midnight of April 14, you are fine.
If you need assistance in managing your schedule, please contact me.
Mrs. Herndon
Feel free to contact me. I am just a click away.
Email: kumiko.herndon@gavirtualschool.org
Website: www.gavirtualschool.org
Phone: 706-751-7514
Next Assignments Due
This week and next week's assignments are due on Thursday, February 25. Please check your schedule and plan your next 2 weeks. The graded assignments are written in BOLD letters in your course schedule.
And always, please read your feedback as soon as graded. There may be time sensitive information in it to benefit you.
And always, please read your feedback as soon as graded. There may be time sensitive information in it to benefit you.
Next Adobe Connect Sessions
Join us to Adobe Connect Learning Sessions.
Monday, February 22
Japanese IIAB-12 week- 1:15AM - 2:00PM
Japanese IIAB-18,16,&14 wk 8:00PM - 8:45PM
Monday, February 26
Japanese IIAB-12 week- 1:15AM - 2:00PM
Japanese IIAB-18,16,&14 wk 8:00PM - 8:45PM
Monday, February 22
Japanese IIAB-12 week- 1:15AM - 2:00PM
Japanese IIAB-18,16,&14 wk 8:00PM - 8:45PM
Monday, February 26
Japanese IIAB-12 week- 1:15AM - 2:00PM
Japanese IIAB-18,16,&14 wk 8:00PM - 8:45PM