BR2-14 Under of the Ground

In 1940 five boys were waliking with their dog in the hills near Lascaux in France. Suddenly the dog fell down hole in the ground. He was not hurt, but the boys could not touch him because the hole to widen it. 'I think there's a cave under here!' said one of the boys. 'Good boy!' he called to the dog. 'We're coming!' One by one, they went down through the hole into the cave. 'It's dark in here! Has anybody got a light?' One boy had a box of matches. By their light the boys could see wonderful things. Pictures of animals covered roof of the cave.

This book recall an earthscience class which I took when I was a high school student. I really liked that class and was looking forward to seeing earthscience teacher. I prefererd to study astronomy than about ground, but I could understand about ground of science better than astronomy. And also, I think it is important to know about under the ground for Japanese people because a lot of  earthquake  happened in Japan, so we should know about it and take steps to deal with natural disaster which we can't know when it will happen.


Barder, Rosemary. (1998). Under the Ground. Oxford University Press.



Vocabulary
stalagmite: 石荀
limestone: 石炭岩
stalactite: 鍾乳石
chamber: 部屋
waterfall: 滝


219 words

BR2-13 Seasons and Celebrations

In Britain, Canada and the USA, in each of the four seasons, people enjoy different festivals and celebrations. Thousands of the years ago the people of Britain were pagans. In their religions, the sun , the moon, the winds, rain, animals and trees were all important, and they had festival for them. When Christianity came to Britain, the people wanted to keep some of their old festivals. Hallowe'en Christmas, Saint Valentine's Day and Easter are all examples of this.

I think Japanese celebration is very rare for people in another countries because Japanese people celebrate Shogatsu, Setsubun, Bon and also, but on the other hand they celebrate Christmas, Valentine and Halloween. This is because Japan has many kind of religion. For example, my family don't have specific religion. My grandmother likes Catholicism and Buddhism, and I went to Catholic kindergarden when I was child. I thought it wasn't understood by people who believe only one religion. However, several month ago, I asked a French man about Japanese rare culture of celebration, he understand about it.


Maguire, Jackie. (1977). Seasons and Celebrations. Oxford University Press.

191 words


Vocabulary
parliament: 議会
gunpowder: 火薬
pantomime: 無言劇

BR2-12 Super Structure

A structure is something made with many parts, like a house, school, or a bridge. It can be made of different materials like bricks, concrete, glass, wood, or metal. A super structure is very big, very long, or very tall. Tunnels go underground, or through the ground. We use tunnels for mines, trains, and road traffic, or to carry things like gas or water. Tunnels are usually made of metal and concrete. One of the longest tunnels in the world is the Seikan Tunnels in Japan. It's nearly 54 kilometers long! It goes between two islands. It was built because it's too dangerous to travel by boat. The tunnel is for trains, but now many people prefer to travel by plane..

When I went to Paris, I field how much different from structure in Japan or Paris. I think Japanese structure is focus on using it easy. For example, Japan has many Barrier-free facilities. However, when I saw the view in Paris, I field that Japanese structures don't focus on landscape, so I could enjoy just walking because it was in Paris. On the other hand, if I had been a old woman or had any handicap, I would prefer to live in Japan than Paris. In addition, I noticed that is same aspect that high-rise buildings can symbolize a success.





Undrill, F. (2010). Super Structure. Oxford university press.


Vocabulary
anchorage: 支柱
skyscraper: 超高層ビル
rotate: 回転する
sculpture: 彫刻
submarine: 海底の
spacewalk: 宇宙遊泳
astronaut: 宇宙飛行士



228 words

BR2-11 All about ocean life

A lot of Earth is covered by saltwater oceans. The oceans are home to many types of life, from the smallest plans to the biggest whales. There are five oceans, and they cover about 70 percent of Earth. Oceans and their seashores are different all around the world. On the Arctic Ocean and the Southern Ocean there's a lot of ice in winter. In warm tropical oceans you can find colorful coral reefs, where very many plants, fish, and other animals live. An ocean is always moving because of waves, currents, and tides. When the wind blows over the water, it makes waves. Currents are large amounts of warm or cold water that move up the seashore and back again two times a day.These movements are called tides.

I like sea very much, I can't forget the memory that I and my family went to Amakusa. It was very nice view. I was born in Kumamoto and now I live there, but unfortunately, this place is not near by sea, so I can't enjoy sea daily.  When I saw the sea, I feel that why I sweat the small stuff and I think I should have a infinitely heart like that ocean. However, My friend who lived in Amakusa said living near the sea is uncomfortable because there is some risks of disaster. Sometime, nature make us happy, on the other hand that sometime make us unhappy. I wonder that relationship between nature and people.


Bladon, R.(2010). All about ocean life. Oxford university press


Vocabulary
tide: 潮汐
urchin: うに
otter: カワウソ
tentacles: 触手
mangrove: 紅樹林
anemone: アネモネ


253 words

BR2-10 Machines then and now

Machines make our lives easier. We use them to do work, to travel, to communicate, and to have fun. Some machines are simple, with only one or two parts. Other machines are complex, with many parts that work together. People invented the first machines a long time ago. They were simple tools made of stone, wood, or bone. About two million years ago people made stone axes with wooden handles. They used these tools to cut wood. Peoples also used stone and animal bone to make knives and arrows. To shoot their arrows they used bows made with long pieces of wood. People used simple levers to move heavy object like rocks. They put one end of a long stick of wood under a big rock, and they put a small rock under the stick.

I like typing but sometime I think I want not people around me to use electriｃｓ. For example, I am not good at communicate with someone who I have not talked with friendly on SNS. I think it is common to exchange our contact information after we enjoy talking  directory, but most of modern people exchange our contact information before we enjoy talking directory. Especially, I am in trouble when they don't talk with me friendly who enjoyed talking on SNS. It is very strange!! How should I talk with them? Therefore, I think electronic evolution is pretty good to make our life comfortable but I can't agree that we can't communicate with directly by too using SNS.

Quinn, R. (2010). Machines then and now. Oxford university press.


Vocabulary
chariot: 二輪馬車
watermill: 水車小屋
windmill: 風車
millstone: 石うす
sundial: 日時計
biodiesel: 生物由来油から作られるディーセルエンジン用燃料



262 words

BR2-9 Little Women

'Christmas won't be Christmas without any parents', said Jo crossly. 'It's so awful to be poor!' agreed Meg, looking at her old dress. 'It's not right for some girls to have pretty things, and others to have nothing at all', said little Amy. 'We've got Father and Mother, and each other,' said Beth gently. The four young faces round the fire cheered up as they thought of this, but then Jo said sadly, 'We haven't go Father, and we won't have him for a long time.' She didn't say 'perhaps never', but each silently thought it, remembering that he was away at the war in the South. Then Meg said, 'Mother says we shouldn't spend money on presents when our men are fighting a war.' 'We can't expect anything from Mother or each other,'said Jo.

I have read this book in Japanese many time when I was young. This is really good book but I couldn't notice before. I have a older sister and now she live in same house. When she leave our house I was really sad. Now I think I turned on her all things of me. Recently, I become to be able to decide myself anymore and the memory which she and I spend same time when we were young become very important thing. therefore, this book recall important and beautiful family memories to many people, so I think I will read it many times from now on.



Allcot, M. (1955). Little women. Oxford Bookworms Library.



Vocabulary
beat: を打つ
sensible: 賢明な


248 words

BR2-8 How to stay healthy

Do you know how to stay healthy? Think about the exercise that you do and the food that you eat. Exercise ant the right food help you to live longer. For a healthy life, you need to protect your body. Your body needs exercise ant the fight food. Most people can do some exercise. Some people have disabilities, but they can do exercise, too. You don't need lots of time or equipment to do exercise. Things that you do every day can help you to stay healthy, like walking  to the supermarket or to school. Some people need medicines every say to stay healthy. A long time ago, there were no medicines, but there's a new problem-people are getting fatter.

Also I often think about how to stay healthy because I never go to hospital!! I hate hospital and blood or needle. I know many great doctors and I like them, but on the other hand, I hate hospital. In addition, My birthday is same as Ieyasu Tokugawa who is a health nut. Especially.  I really pay attention what food I usually eat. When I buy  foods at convenience-store, I usually check how it made of. I think we have to eat organic foods as much as you can.


Penn, J. (2011). How to stay healthy. Oxford university Press.




Vocabulary
carbohydrate: 炭水化物
Mediterranean: 地中海の
quinoa: キノア（植物の名前）
fiber: 繊維
iron: 鉄分
tai chi: 太極拳


220 words

BR2-7 The enchanted castle

Jerry, Jimmy, and Cathy were two brothers and a sister. They were British. For holidays, they usually went home.One holiday, they couldn't go home. So they all stayed together at Cathy's school. They were the only three children at the school. The children had a good time in the forest. They got lost. But they were not afraid. The children found a cave. It led  to a long, dark passage. When they came back into the light, it was beautiful. They saw another forest with a lake. There were even deer! And there was a castle. "It is an enchanted castle," said Cathy. The children went closer.

I'm sure I think this is fantasy story, but I think it is not a just fantasy story. I can be felt real world from this story. When a sleeping girl appeared, many children imagine that she might be able to use much magic, but interestingly, it is just a trick and she is a just maid's niece. And also, I found that "Enchanted" is pretty nice word which you can see many times while you read this story. I didn't use this word very much, so I will use it many times.

Nebit, E. (2012). The enchanted castle. Compass Publishing.



Vocabulary
nanny: 子どもの世話をする女性。ばあや。
maze: 迷路。迷宮。
bravely: 勇敢に。
undone: undoの過去分詞。


207 words

BR2-6: Birds in paradise

It's very early in the morning on the tropical island of Trinidad. Colorful tropical birds are flying everywhere and moving a round in the trees. They're calling to one another and you can see their beautiful colors among all the different greens of the island. However, they're not the only ones who are awake on this early morning. Ornithologist and photographer Roger Neckles is up and moving too. For the past ten years, Neckles has been living on the island and taking photographs of the island's birds. 

This book recall me a memory of a bird which was my pet. On the first time, I found him at my apartment. My family would find purchaser but we couldn't. We called him P-chan, my mother christened him because he often chirped. We looked after him our house and use a bird cage. However, he is always not fine. I though that he missed his real family. We didn't know how to do to cheer up him. Finally, he died. My family and I cried. My grand mother ask an sister to bury him at convent garden. I finished to read this book, now I think he should live in the nature world.




Waring, R. (2008). Birds in paradise. National Geographic

Vocabulary 
ornithologist: 鳥学者
hummingbird: ハチドリ
excitedly: 興奮して
hurricane: ハリケーン
gale: 強風
enchant: 魅了する
exclaim: （興奮して突然）叫ぶ


208 words

BR2-5: The fish and the ring

There once was a powerful Baron. He had magical powers. With a magic book, he could look into the future. One day, he looked into his young son's future. He saw a baby girl from a very poor family. His son would marry this girl one day. This news made the Baron very unhappy. However, Baron knew the baby's father. He decided to visit the man, He had a plan. The Baron rode his horse to the house of the baby's father.The poor man looked at him with tears in his eyes. "Well, sir, I had five children. I can't feed them all" he cried. "Don't worry. I can help you." The Baron told the man. "I have always wanted a daughter. I will take the baby. You will not have to worry about her."

This story was very interesting!! I couldn't imagine how this story was finished until I finished to read it all. On the first time, I thought I want this magic book which I can look into the future. Really I want it! However, this story was taught me that you can't change your future, so I was sad because I want to believe we can change whether the future will be good or not depends on us. On the other hand, the reason why I thought this story was very interesting that at the first sight The Baron change girl's future but actually he made the girl's future better.

Jacobs, J. (2012). The fish and the ring. Compass Publishing.



Vocabulary
Scarborough: イギリス、イングランド北部のノースヨークシャー県東部の都市。
frightened: 怖がらせられる
nobleman: 高貴な生まれの人。貴族。
daughter-in-low: 息子の妻


252 words

BR2-04: The Outside Dog

Their neighbor up the hill was Dona Elvira. She owned a little colmando, where they bought their groceries. Their neighbor down the hill was a fisherman named Nando. Sometimes, in the early morning, Marisol went fishing with him. There were many dogs on the hill. They were strays. No one owned or took care of them.

This is a good book. when I was a child, I thought I wanted to have my pets many times. I wanted to have a dog, cat, bird or hamster. However, my parents had never agree that I have a pet because they will have to pay many money foe feeding. And also, they said " You would be very sad, If your pet dead. Every pet will die surely someday." so I had never had any pets, but I often dream of playing with any pets someday like a little girl in this book. Certainly, her grandfather disagree to have a pet, but she can play with the dog.

Pomerantz, C. (1933). The outside dog. USA: Harper Collins.

Vocabulary

stray: 道に迷う

flea: のみのように跳ぶ小虫

tick: ダニ
sip: 少しずつ飲む
mutt:野良犬
collar: 首輪
leftover: 残り物



174 words

BR2-3 Book Week Goes with a BANG! - part 2-

An unbalance arrived and two paramedics jumped out.The driver of the tanker was taken into the school. He was very shocked."I don't know what happened," he mumbled, over and over again. Later, Mrs Tuner called everyone into the hall. "There's been a big accident, but the two drivers are being well looked after. Your parents will still be able to take you home at the normal time though," She was going to ask them to take their children back to class. But Zak Pieman had a different idea. Zak fetched his drawing board, and he began to draw a story for the children. The teachers thanked Zak for his help and they went out to wave goodbye to him. Zak stared at the smashed tanker. He saw the lorry on its side,. And then he saw the crushed car, half under the tanker. It was his car!

I thought Zak Pieman was very good artist. Most of students's feelings were not so good, but their feeling made very happy by the world which Zak made. And also, I thought many people have to  help each other when any accident happened.


Strong Jeremy. (1988). Story Street. Book Week Goes with BANG! - part 2 -



204 words

BR2-2 The spider and the Beehive

Once upon a time, there was a small African village. In it lived a little boy and a tricky spider. The spider thought he was smarter than everyone else. One day the spider was hungry , so he asked the boy,"Will you take me to the best plums?" The boy agreed. They walked deep into the jungle to the boy's favorite plum tree. The spider felt greedy. He ate up every single plum and did not share any! Then the boy said, "Inside this hive is the most delicious honey in the world." The spider squeezed into a hole int her hive. He ate up all the sweet golden honey and did not share any! The spider was ready for the next treat. But when he tried to climb out of the hive, he was struck.


Finally in this story, spider became to be able to share his foods. When I was a child, my parent said me and my sister and my brother that "Of you have any happy things, you should share it." Especially, they said that when we have any foods. That time, I couldn't understand why they said, but now, I became  to be able to understand it. If we share any happy for everyone, we would be helped by their. We can live this world with helping each other, so I want to share many happy things, if I have any happy news or find a very delicious food, and don't share bad things and say bad things about slander. In the great Tohoku Earthquake, Japanese people could help each other, and this new was praised highly by worldly people. I think many countries people can that helping each other not only Japan. When people face any danger, we should find the way how we should do to alive everyone.


Einhorn Kama. (2006) SCHOLASTIC, The spider and the Beehive.



313 words

BR2-1 Book Week Goes with BANG! - part 1 -

It was book week at Story Street School. Everyone was busy doing something with books.The children drew pictures. They made their own books. The teachers read stories to the children. and the children read stories to the teachers! The head teacher, Mrs Turner, had made some special plans. She told everyone all about them in assembly."On Friday you can dress up as someone from a story," she said. "The teachers are going to dress up too!""Also on Friday," continued Mrs Turner, "a very special visitor is coming to our school. I have asked one of your favorite authors, Zak Piemon, to come and talk to you. He visit every class in the school."

Kumaamoto Gaukuen University students will have a good festival in October too. It is a Takuma festival. I am really looking forward taking part in this festival. I want to go to the rock music concert because my friend is going to play the keyboard this concert.She belong to the rock music club. I have never listened her rock music. By the way, I don't know about who is the special guest. I expect that this years special guest will be a very famous star. I think who acted some moves because they will have to advertise about it. And also I made a story of the book like this book when I was a elementary school student.  I wrote about monkey's story, I described friendship. I think making story is very good and important for children because they can create unique world.






Strong Jeremy. (1988). Story Street. Book Week Goes with BANG! - part 1 -



269 words

The BLUE Game

"My mum made us move into this flat without Dad, and now sh'd rather save dinners in a restaurant than stay at home with me,"Sam complained.Mrs Green smiled and patted Sam's knee. "My old gran used to have an expression for haw you're feeling today ," she said."I'll show you a game my old gran once showed me. Would you like that?""Look around the room, and try to remember all the blue things." Mrs Green said. Sam looked around. "Now, close your eyes ,"said Mrs Green, "and tell me all the things you saw that were red." Sam frowned.


I want to such a color game too and I want to decorate my room one color. I want to change my room blue color because people's brain can be continue concentration by blue color. So, If I change my room blue color, I would concentrate ti study more and more. And then, I this story recalls wonderful days when I was a kindergarten student. My grandmother played with me too. One day, I noticed about my grandmother always forgot time to take medicine, so I set her alarm clock for medicine time. I said about it, she laughed it very much.



Tom Clayton.(2001).Story Street. The BLUE Game

Jojo Makes the TEAM

One day, Mrs Ambrose said the school was going to take part in a football tournament. They would have two teams. The A team was made up if boys from the top class. The B team would include some younger players ans two members of her class had been chosen."One of them is Ravi, The other one is Jojo," she went on. She couldn't wait to get outside and play. But when dinner time came, none of the usual group of boys would let her join in. 

Maybe I can understand a little about boys in B team din't want teacher to choose girl player because I think maybe they worried about her. Worrying about someone is not bad because this feeling is made bay someone's gently, but sometime it makes someone's feeling unhappy. I think it is very important to think about what she really wants to do for making best friends. If you want to give your friend some advice, you should it after you can understand about your friend deeply.


Alexander Jenny.(1988).Story Street,  Jojo Makes the TEAM

The Great Escape

"This is going to be so good," said Harry, pushing his shaggy hair away from his face. Baz and Kipper waved the heavy iron crowbars they were carrying. "After that, all we have to do is sit back and watch the fun and games."He took the iron bar and slipped it under the chain and padlock on the main gates. With a sharp tug the chain snapped and the gates free.Silently, the four boys crept from one shed to another. They forces the doors open with their crowbars.

This story is very good for thinking about animal's feeling which people always don't think about. Long time ago, when I was a elementary school student I had a beautiful bird. It was parakeet. It was not bought at pet shop, I found it near by my house and I couldn't find its owner. I called it "p-chan" because my mother called it. However, I finished to read this book, I thought maybe I had to set it free. Maybe It wanted to meet its family.

Strong Jeremy.(1988).Story Street.The Great Escape.

Tea with Grumpyboots

Sam thought she should try to be polite, so she said to Mr Green, "I'm glad you're feeling better." But he just went on gazing at the garden, ignoring her. Mr Green appeared to notice Sam for the first time. He said a gruff hello, and thanked her for walking Scrap. "That's all right,"said Sam. "I enjoy it." Mr Green cupped his hand behind his ear. "I enjoy it!." Sam bellowed.Sam explained loudly that she had always wanted a dog of her own to look after, but she couldn't have one. Looking after someone else's dog for a while was a real treat. Mr Green nodded. "When I was  your age," he said, "I wasn't allowed to have a dog, either. Then I got the chance to look after Tilly. I've got a picture of her somewhere."

When I finished to read this book, I miss my grandparents. I couldn't go their house long long time. Always I have part-time job or tests when my family go there. My grandparents can't here any sounds easily like Sam's grandfather, so I have to speak loudly and clearly when I speak with them. However, I am always learned many important things by their talk. For example, I never forget that my grandfather talked me about his experience in the war. It was very valuable talk, and I think that young people should learn from many elderly people's talk. And also, I should meet my parents more and more times and making time to talk with them.

Nanny MacPhee & THE Big Bang

Norman, Megsie and Vincent Green live on a form. Their father is fighting in the war. Their mother is Mrs Green. She loved living on a farm before the war. She needs more time and more money. Their father doesn't like farms and he doesn't like working. Cyril and Celia live in London. They are very rich. Their mother is Mrs Green's sister. 'Wash everything on the farm this afternoon, please,' said Mrs Green to her children.'My sister's children from London are going to be here tomorrow.' Mrs Green went to work. The children started washing everything.

             I wondered at first why Mrs Green and Mr Green could get married  because Mrs Green loved living on a farm, but on the other hand, her husband didn't like farms and working. Why could they love each other? However, I thought that children can open up to each other soon. For the first time, Cyril and Celia doesn't like form and Norman, Megsie and Vincent. For example, Celia didn't want to get out of the car and she said ' I'm wearing my new shoes. I can't walk in that mud!', but finally she work on the farm with her cousin.

A Good Friend

"Do you want to come ?"asks Eric. "I'm going to down to the beach again. I want to watch the sun go down and sing songs. We'll have a great time,"he says,Yoko doesn't want to study. She wants to be with Eric on the beach. "I want to see the sun go down," she thinks. "And sing some songs, too" Yoko does not tell her mother she wants to go to the beach. "I don't want dinner tonight. I want to study for tomorrow test, and then go to sleep," she says. She goes out of her window. Yoko rides to the beach on her bike.

        I really can understand why Yoko has lied to her mother to go to beach that night because my mother is really strict too, so I often lie to my mother to do what I really want. For example, my mother said to me " Don't use your picture which show your face on SNS because it is very dangerous!", but I use it on SNS because when I make new friend and exchange ID, If they couldn't remember my face, they cannot find me on SNS. I want to enjoy the SNS enough to make many friends, so I never say my mother about it. Of course, I often think I did what is cruel but I want to do what I really want to do in my life, so I can really understand about Yoko. After all, she could make very good friend. I think she really like Eric's song. She could convey her feeling. Conveying some feelings to someone is very important.


Waring Rob and Jamall Maurice. 2006. A Good Friend


286words