If you strolled through the CE Auditorium on Monday evening, you would have thought you were in Japan!

The second-grade students hosted An Evening in Japan through a variety of cross-curricular activities. The evening began with a kimono parade where the students entered the auditorium wearing colorful kimonos. From there, each student had an important role in our play of the Japanese Folktale Momotaro with music and instruments led by Mr. Wallace. Laughter was heard in the audience as the musicians, narrators, and actors worked together to tell the story.

Next, each of our students chose a subject to talk about and they presented in individual stations. Topics ranged from sushi and tea ceremonies to tsunamis and earthquakes, just to name a few. The students shined while proudly showcasing their topics to the audience.

The children were confident and eager to tell all, and to show their artwork, some of which was created with Mr. Elstein in art class. Mr. Pomeroy used a seismograph to explain how earthquakes occur, which caused a lot of commotion! To end our evening, the students performed a traditional Japanese Tanko Bushi Odori Dance.

We incorporated science, art, and music into our social studies curriculum throughout our study of Japan. We are very lucky to be part of a great team of educators who made this cross curricular project fun, hands on, and memorable for all of our students. We express our gratitude to Mr. Elstein, Mr. Pomeroy, and Mr. Wallace for their invaluable contribution to the success of our event.

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” - Confucius