Category Archives: Uncategorized
World Read Aloud Day 2020 – Coming Soon!

ASIJ Sakura Medal Art Competition 2020
I am really proud of all of the students who completed their artwork and submitted their entries on time.
The ASIJ Elementary Sakura Art Medal Winners for each category will be announced on February 3, 2020. Winning pieces of artwork will then compete against all participating international schools in Japan. The overall category winners will be announced on February 28th.
ASIJ 2020 Winners by Category
English Picture Book – Sydney Mcilwraith 2D
Japanese Picture Book – Sena Yokosuka 3D
English Chapter Book – Eito Aoyama 5J
Japanese Chapter Book – Mizzy Yokosuka 5J
Graphic Novel – Juliet Sheehan 4Y
Japanese Picture Book
English Picture Book
English Chapter Book
Graphic Novel
Japanese Chapter Book
New Year…New Books











NEW Sora/OverDrive – January 2020
You are going to love the books available on your SORA app! All of the purchases below were recent were student recommendations.
If there is an eBook or audiobook you would like, please fill out a student request form and Ms. Pretz will check to see if it is available for purchase.























Best Books 2019

Amazon Best Books of the Year
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
- 2019 Guide Book to Gift Books – This is a 27 page annotated listing of books that would make great gifts for children of all ages.
Best Graphic Novels 2019
Goodreads
Kirkus Review
National Public Radio
National Science Teachers Association
New York Public Library
New York Times
Parents’ Choice Awards
Publisher’s Weekly
School Library Journal
Game On! Sakura Book Bowl 2020
If you’re interested in being a Book Bowler, don’t forget to sign up for this wonderful winter after school opportunity. This year’s Sakura Book Bowl Team will be coached by Ms. Tamara Pretz, Ms. Mimi Takano and Ms. Tanja Kerbs. This year’s after school sessions will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning December 3rd. In addition to reading and taking notes, Book Bowlers will have fun discussing books with teammates and playing a variety of interactive games.
Elimination rounds will be held on March 17th and March 19th to determine which students will be on the traveling team that will compete in the 10th Annual Sakura Book Bowl Competition at St. Mary’s International School on April 28th. All traveling team members will be required to attend after school sessions on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 30th – April 23rd.
Book Bowl = Reading = Community = Fun!


Everyone who participates in this year’s afterschool 2020 Sakura Book Bowl Activity will read, discuss and take notes about these two fantastic books about friendship and self-discovery.
In addition to reading the two books above, all 2020 Sakura Book Bowlers will be required to read and take notes for three books from one of the following categories:
Hidden Histories: The Dangerous Search for Truth
Living on the Wild Side: Mystery & Intrigue
Speak Up & Change the World: Compelling Characters
Unlikely Friendships: Compassionate Characters
Face Your Fears Head On: Courageous Characters
Against All Odds: Characters that Persevere
Land of Stories – This November on SORA
Get Inspired – A Very Thankful LEGO Wall!
Imagination Station – Projects for our Community
Origami Cranes
Help decorate the wall in the Japanese Picture book section by folding origami cranes.


Kimochi Dolls KG Classrooms
- Draw a plan.
- Create a materials list.
- Create a paper pattern and cut out your Kimochi pieces.
- Draw with permanent Sharpie your expression (front) and word (back).
- Decorate by sewing, adding googley eyes, pom poms, buttons etc.
- Sew RIGHT SIDES together.
- Leave small space and stuff.
- Finish sewing together.




Books to Inspire Our Creativity



















































