Ayano Suga(l) and Kei Waragai(r) with their harvest of sweet potatoes. MAKUHARI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
During the beginning of last month, Makuhari International School (MIS) was home to a huge number of sweet potatoes — thanks to kind friends connected to Narita Temple.
Over several days, the whole school was invited to a local farm so that the children could experience picking sweet potatoes first hand. Each child in the school had the opportunity to harvest numerous sweet potatoes and take as many home as they could carry, which in some cases, was quite a lot!
As part of their Home Economics study, grade 6 put their talents to good use and used some of their supply to cook fried potato patties and make an apple and potato cobbler dessert. Children, parents, and staff enjoyed this treat enormously. Grade 6 are currently planning and cooking a range of delights as part of their Home Economics studies, including an imminent full English breakfast, which various members of the staff are particularly looking forward to!
The trip to Narita also gave the children the opportunity to visit the historic Dai-Jion-Ji temple, and the upper grades looked inside and examined items dating back over 1,200 years.
Also during last month, kindergarten staff took part in the Chiba Private Kindergarten Association Kindergarten Open Day. This annual event allows teachers to visit alternative kindergartens for inspiration, as well as to share good practice. Next year, MIS is very much looking forward to hosting this event and welcoming other kindergarten teachers to see how children are taught in an Article One International School.
In other news, due to recent demand at MIS, the school is planning to hold another open day for prospective parents and children during the winter months. Interested parties should check http://www.mis.ed.jp or the school’s Twitter site at Makuhari_School for details about this chance for families to see the school in action. — PAUL ROGERS
