British School in Tokyo (BST) primary students had a busy start to the new academic year with lots of trips around Tokyo and the surrounding countryside to support their core curriculum subjects.
Year 2 students visited Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple to support their learning on Japan’s geography and their religious education topic on Buddhism. Back in the classroom they recorded their findings on the geographical features of Tokyo, and completed paintings of Tokyo Tower in the style of Robert Delaunay!
Year 5 had an exciting week focusing on “jobs.” BST parents came into the school to talk about their professions, and students asked questions to find out what skills and qualifications are required for a range of jobs. The week culminated in a trip to Kidzania where all the Year 5 students had the opportunity to try out real careers for themselves.
In late autumn, Year 6 took their Japanese skills and their geography topic on mountains out into the sunshine to Mount Takao. They took a cable car up the mountain and then walked to the summit where they interviewed local hikers about the impact of tourism on the natural environment. Once back in school, some of the students presented their findings in an assembly watched by their parents and the rest of the Year 6 students.
Year 4 students studying the Edo period in history walked a part of the old Tokaido, experiencing firsthand what it must have been like. The trip included a visit to Hakone Sekisho, the checkpoint where travellers had to show their permit to be allowed to pass and continue on their journey.
Curriculum trips continue in terms 2 and 3 and everyone is looking looking forward to reading the reports. — NANCY JENKINS
