Setsubun Fun

All About The Body & Setsubun Fun

Hi everybody! It has been a little while since our last update so we thought it was probably time to tell you what we’ve been doing here at Star Kids and share some fun pictures with you too!

Since coming back to school in January we have been studying all about the body. This is part of a larger unit all to do with health and well-being. Being so cold and chilly out many people are catching colds, not to mention influenza! What better time to learn about our bodies and how to take care of them?

Since last week we have been looking at the different parts of the body, starting with our feet! We’ve been comparing, measuring and taking notes. Not to mention making some cool crafts as well. Our students now know how much it tickles when you have paint on your feet!

We’ve also been having a lot of fun singing and dancing. Some of the children’s favorite songs are “Ah-Choo!” (a Star Kids original about sneezing), “Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes”, “The Skeleton Dance”, “Doctor Nickerbocker Number 9”, as well as a new original song we wrote in class together called “A Doctor’s Bag”. So much fun!

Check the links below to song along at home.

Circle Time Songs

The Skeleton Dance

Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes

Dr. Kickerbocker Number 9

Current Story Book & Song

We’ve also been learning a new story in class all of this week. It’s a fun one and really good for language and memory. It’s called “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly”

Here is the link to the story book and song below.

Setsubun

Taking a break from all the work we have been doing learning about the body, yesterday we celebrated Setsubun. Setsubun is a Japanese ceremony which involves throwing soy beans at a demon figure to ward away bad luck and to invite new luck in. Traditionally Setsubun falls on February 3rd and marks the passing of winter into spring. Besides throwing soy beans at the demon (or “Oni” in Japanese), children traditionally make demon masks, eat special sushi rolls, and eat roasted soy beans (one for each year of their lives). Sometimes throwing soy beans at the demon can be a little scary for the younger children (especially if the demon is a big person in a scary mask) so we decided to make cute demon masks for Setsubun this year and then we had fun throwing soy beans at the masks. Not scary at all and so much fun!

Below are a few links to videos about Setsubun (in Japanese so if you are watching them at home, you might want to explain them in English). They show children talking about Setsubun and they are really very cute.

After the videos, we have a LOT of photos for you to see. Please check them out and enjoy!