Tag: teaching

Moon Tunes, a Magical Bunny and Fundraising -月の歌、魔法のウサギ、募金

On October 15, Mehhgumi the Sheep made her singing debut in Tokyo at a fundraiser for a nonprofit benefitting kids in care homes. Mehhgumi, (who is also known as “Baaa-bara”), with a bit of help from me, sang the Sesame Street classic, created by Jeff Moss, “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon.” Have a listen:

10月15日、羊のめ～ぐみは、養護施設の子供たちを応援する非営利団体の東京での募金イベントで歌手としてデビューしました。め～ぐみ(「バ～バラ」とも呼ばれる)は、私の助けを借りて、ジェフ・モスが作成したセサミストリートの名曲「I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon」を歌いました。聞いてください:

I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon

Jones, that old hound dog, had begged with his big, old puppy eyes, to be taken along to the fundraising event. He was thrilled when Elvis showed up and belted out the “Hound Dog” song. Jones danced and howled along with the music, gracing us all with doggy breath and delirious drool.

年老いた猟犬ジョーンズは、あどけない大きな目で、募金イベントに連れて行ってほしいと訴えていました。エルヴィスが現れて「ハウンド・ドッグ」の歌を歌ったとき、ジョーンズは大喜びして音楽に合わせて踊り、吠え、犬の息とよだれで私たち全員を祝福しました。

Elvis with One Happy Hound Dog

We had a marvelous time, crooning tunes and dancing like loons. I did my best to help by singing and playing the harmonica along with the John Denver classic, “Take Me Home Country Roads.” Towards the end of the evening, something very mysterious and magical happened.

私たちは素晴らしいひとときを過ごし、曲を歌い、踊りまくりました。私はジョン・デンバーの名曲「カントリー・ロード」に合わせて歌を歌い、ハーモニカを演奏して盛り上げました。そして夕べも更けたころ、とても神秘的で魔法のようなことが起こりました。

For several weeks, I had been planning trips to Nagoya, Kobe and Osaka on behalf of JOEE. I would be preaching at a couple of churches and visiting orphanages with my puppets. One event that I was looking forward to attending was a birthday party for a little girl in Kobe. The theme of the party was rabbits. Did I have a large rabbit puppet that I could bring to the party to perform with? No, I did not. I had lions, cats, sheep, frogs, even an elephant. But no large rabbits. So, I was thinking hard about rabbits that night. I was wishing for a rabbit puppet. Guess what happened?

数週間前から私はJOEEを代表して名古屋、神戸、大阪を訪問することを計画していました。いくつかの教会で説教し、人形をもって児童養護施設を訪れる予定でした。神戸である少女の誕生日パーティーに参加することを楽しみにしていました。パーティーのテーマはウサギでした。パーティーに持って行って演技に使える大きなウサギの人形のことを考えましたが、持っていないことに気づきました。私はライオン、猫、羊、カエル、そして象の人形も持っていましたが、大きなウサギは持っていませんでした。その夜、ずっとウサギのことを考えていました。ウサギの人形が欲しいと思いました。何が起こったと思いますか？

While taking a break from singing up on stage, a woman approached me and, out of the blue, asked me, “Would you like to have a rabbit puppet?” My jaw dropped in surprise. “Yes! I would love to have a rabbit puppet!” I wondered how in the world did this woman, (whom I had never met before), know that I needed a rabbit puppet. “Wait here — I’ll be back soon.” She returned with a beautiful puppet that had sat in her house, unused, for forty years. “I would be happy if you could use this puppet with JOEE.”

ステージで歌い終わって休んでいる時、ある女性が私に近づき、突然「ウサギの人形は要りませんか？」と尋ねました。びっくりして顎が外れるかと思いました。「はい！ウサギの人形が欲しいです！」 一体どうやって、今まで会ったことのないこの女性が、ウサギの人形を私が必要としていることを知っているのか不思議に思いました。「ちょっと待ってください、すぐに戻ってきます」と言って彼女は40年間未使用のまま家に置いていた美しい人形を持って来てくれました。「この人形をJOEEで使ってもらえれば嬉しいです。」

My “Thought Rabbit”

I accepted the new JOEE puppet with joy and brought it back with me to my home in Nagano. I call it my “Thought Rabbit.” And because “thought” is “kanga-e” in Japanese and because JOEE or “joey” means baby kangaroo, maybe I can call it “Kangae-roo.” It was a thought in my head and then it magically appeared and jumped into my arms.

私はJOEEの新しい人形を喜んで受け取り、長野の自宅に持ち帰りました。それを「思えるウサギ」（Thought Rabbit）と呼んでいます。そして、「thought」は日本語で「かんがえ」、JOEEまたは「joey」は赤ちゃんカンガルーを意味するので、それを「カンガエルー」とでも呼ぼうかと思いました。頭の中で考えていたことが、魔法のように現れて、私の懐に飛び込んできたのです。

Kanga-e-Roo

We hope that good and magical things continue to happen through JOEE and that our supporters will share in our joy at helping others. Please help us reach our goal of raising $50,000 within the next couple of years by donating at the link below. This is our new Global Giving fundraiser, “JOEE to Japan!” Can you help us reach our giving goal? Here’s the link or you can click on the “Global Giving link below:

私たちは、JOEEを通じて魔法のような良いことが起こり続け、サポーターの皆様が人を助ける喜びを私たちと分かち合ってくださることを願っています。以下のリンクで寄付して、今後2年以内に50,000ドル集めるという目標を達成するのを手伝ってください。これは私たちの新しいGlobalGiving募金「JOEE to Japan!」です。募金目標を達成するのを手伝ってくれませんか？このリンクか、以下の「GlobalGiving」リンクをクリックしてください。

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/youmewe-collaboration-with-joee/

JOEE for Ukraine!! ウクライナのためのJOEE!!

For those of you who would like to listen in on a JOEE lesson for children in Ukraine, here’s your chance. This month, in January, 2023, please join us at 8pm, Japan Standard Time, on Monday, Jan. 16, 23 and 30 for a fun, puppet-assisted online get-together. For adults joining, please keep your video and audio muted to let more children participate. This link will go live at 8pm on those three Mondays, Japan time, which is 1pm in Ukraine. You will need the passcode to enter the session:

ウクライナの子供たちのためのJOEEレッスンを聞きたい方は、今回がチャンスです。今月、つまり2023年1月16日、23日、30日（月）の日本時間午後8時に、楽しい人形支援型のオンライン集会にご参加ください。大人が参加する場合は、ビデオとオーディオをミュートにして、より多くの子供が参加できるようにしてください。このリンクで、三週連続、月曜日にウクライナの午後1時である日本時間の午後8時に生放送します。セッションに入るにはパスコードが必要です。

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88542147487

Passcode: rz5kz5

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/youmewe-collaboration-with-joee/
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/youmewe-collaboration-with-joee/

Things Are Hopping with JOEE at Chofugakuen

Wonderful things are happening at Chofugakuen, a newly renovated children’s care facility in Chofu, located in the western part of Tokyo.

 東京都の西に位置する調布市にある新しく改装された児童養護施設「調布学園」で、素晴らしいことが起きています。

JOEE lessons started out here in November of 2021 with trained JOEE teachers bringing music and games to the children while teaching English.

2021年11月、ここでJOEEのレッスンが始まりました。研修を受けたJOEEの先生たちが、子どもたちに音楽やゲームを届けながら英語を教えています。

Our first teachers were Annie and Lilian, followed by our most recent teacher, Tomoko who has now taught here since April of 2022. She has been assisted by our administrator, Hiroko, along with regular helpers, Jorge and Yushi and a special guest teacher, Chiyuki.

最初の講師はAnnieさんとLilianさんで、その後、2022年4月からTomokoさんが講師を務めています。そして、管理者のHirokoさん、ヘルパーのJorgeさんとYushiさん、特別ゲスト講師のChiyukiさんがサポートをしています。

Tomoko’s Teaching Team

Tomoko has carefully-planned lessons every week that build on the previous week’s material. Her lessons incorporate games, singing, action, books and puppets to keep the children engaged and excited. The children at Chofu Gakuen love JOEE time!

Tomoko先生は毎週、前の週の内容に基づいて丁寧に計画されたレッスンを行っています。 彼女のレッスンには、ゲーム、歌、アクション、本、パペットが組み込まれており、子供たちの心をひきつけ、ワクワク感を高めています。 調布学園の子どもたちはJOEEの時間が大好き！

Our JOEE teachers usually teach once a week at a children’s home on a regular schedule. When a regular teacher is unable to attend, other JOEE teachers may step in to substitute for that lesson. Our substitute teachers love meeting new children and enjoying the energy and enthusiasm that they bring to class time.

JOEEの先生は、通常週1回、定期的に児童養護施で教えています。正規の先生が出られないときは、他のJOEEの先生が代講をすることもあります。代理の先生たちは、新しい子どもたちと出会い、子どもたちのエネルギーと熱意を感じながら授業をするのが大好きです。

JOEE is active in several children’s homes in Tokyo including Chiba, one in Nagoya and one in Kobe. We are actively looking for more homes that would welcome free English lessons and we continue to train teacher volunteers. Contact us if you would like to help: ruth@joee.jp.

JOEEは、千葉を含む首都圏のいくつかの児童養護施設、名古屋の1施設、神戸の1施設で活動しています。無料の英語レッスンを受け入れてくれる施設をさらに積極的に探し、講師ボランティアの育成を続けています。ご協力いただける方は、ruth@joee.jp までご連絡ください。

Please donate by clicking on the “DONATE TO JOEE” button in the JOEE website: https://joee.jp

JOEEのウェブサイトの「DONATE TO JOEE」ボタンをクリックして寄付してください：https://joee.jp

Thank you for your support! ご支援いただきありがとうございます！

New JOEE Teachers Meet Their New Helpers!

A few weeks ago, thanks to a donation by the Wesley Center and an additional donation by Folkmanis Puppets, a big box arrived from the States filled with eager, furry new teaching assistants for Joyful Opportunity English Education! Our new puppet friends couldn’t wait to meet their partners.

数週間前のウェズリーセンターからの寄付に加えてフォークマニス・パペットからの寄付のおかげで、大きな箱が米国から届きました！　その中にぎっしり詰め込んであったのは、JOEE (Joyful Opportunity English Education) のためにこれから働きたいと願っている、フサフサの毛がある、教師の新しいアシスタント達でした。沢山の新しいパペット人形達は、これから働くことになるパートナーに会うのを楽しみにしていました。

Folkmanis Puppets Travel to Japan

For the past couple of months, JOEE has been training new teachers. We are gearing up for the reopening of Japan in anticipation of more widespread vaccine availability. As of this writing, TEN new teachers are learning how to present JOEE lessons and how to use puppets to engage and delight young English learners in orphanages and care facilities. Hopefully by the end of summer or early autumn, we will be able to start new lessons in many new places.

この過去２ヶ月間、JOEEは新しい教師の訓練を行って来ました。コロナ・ワクチンがさらに広く普及するのを見越して、日本は国の再開に向けて準備を進めています。私がこの記事を書いている時点で、10人の新しい教師が、JOEEのレッスン方法と孤児院や児童養護施設で幼い英語学習者の興味を引き、喜ばせるために、人形の使い方を学んでいます。夏の終わりか初秋までに、多くの新しい場所で新しいレッスンを開始できるようになることを願っています。

Lilian and Shyama meet their new partners

JOEE teacher training shows participants the origins and philosophy of Joyful Opportunity English Education. Besides bringing joy into the lives of young children with weekly lessons, JOEE is also focused on their future. Learning English at a young age gives these kids the advantage of acquiring excellent pronunciation skills and builds the mental and emotional facility for learning language as their education progresses.

JOEE教師トレーニングでは、参加者にJOEE (Joyful Opportunity English Education) がどの様に始まったのか、またその哲学について学びます。 JOEEは毎週のレッスンを行い、児童の生活に喜びをもたらすだけでなく、彼らの将来にも焦点を当てています。幼い頃に英語を学ぶことは、子供たちに英語の母語話者に近い発音のスキルを習得するという利点を与え、彼らの言語教育が進むにつれて役立つだろうと考えられる、言語を学ぶための精神的および感情的な心構えを構築するというメリットをもたらします。

Anneliese and Silvia find voices for their teaching assistants

By meeting and interacting with English speakers of many different ethnicities, the children learn to be accepting of a wide variety of world inhabitants. Because personalities and attitudes form at a young age, this open-mindedness will work to their advantage when launching out into the greater world of work after they turn eighteen years old and exit the care institutions.

英語を話す様々な民族の人々と出会い、交流することで、子供たちは様々な背景を持つ人々を受け入れることを学びます。性格や態度は若い年齢で形成されるため、この様にオープン・マインドの態度を培うことは、18歳になって介護施設を出た後により大きな仕事の世界に飛び出すときに有利に働きます。

Yushi and his new buddy practice their roars!

Our JOEE lessons dovetail nicely with the programs in computer and life skills and continuing English studies for older children that the nonprofit, YouMeWe offers. Our two organizations sometimes work in the same care facility. In these instances, a child can be studying English from the age of two all the way to the age of eighteen.

私たちのJOEEレッスンは、非営利団体YouMeWeが提供している年長の子供向けのコンピューターとライフ・スキルのプログラムや継続的な英語学習に丁度良く繋いでいくことができます。私たちの2つの組織は、時々同じ児童養護施設で働くことがあります。このような場合、子供達は2歳から18歳までの期間に英語を継続して習得することができます。

JOEE Teacher, the famous “Miss Raku,” gets to know her new sidekick! What shall we name him?

Thank you to the Wesley Center, Folkmanis and our generous JOEE donors. You are helping us to continue our work and expand to more orphanages.

ウェズリー・センター、フォークマニス、そして寛大にJOEEに寄付をしてくださった皆様に感謝します。皆様は私たちがこの活動を続けることを可能にしてくださり、さらに多くの孤児院にこの働きを広げるのを助けてくださっています！

If you would like to help support JOEE financially, please click on the secure GlobalGiving link below to donate with a credit card:

これからJOEEを経済的に支援してくださる方は下の安全な「GlobalGiving」のリンクをクリックして、クレジットカードで寄付をして下さるようにお願いします。

JOEE Global Giving Donation Link

Or you can donate directly to the JOEE Japan Postal Account:

またJOEEの日本郵便の口座に直接寄付することもできます。

Name: ジョーイー　（JOEE)
JP Branch Kanji: 〇一八
JP Branch: #018
JP Account: #10100-89960791
Account Type: Ordinary (Fustuu)

寄付を希望される場合は、以下の情報をご覧ください。
寄附金の振込口座
ゆうちょ銀行からの場合
［店名］〇一八(読みゼロイチハチ)
［口座番号］10100-89960791
他金融機関からの場合
［店名］〇一八（読み ゼロイチハチ］
［店番］018
［預金項目］普通預金
［口座番号］8996079

JOEE Global Giving Donation Link

Free English Lessons Online

Since JOEE’s goal is English education especially for those who cannot afford private lessons, we are posting English teaching videos to YouTube so that lively song and puppet-assisted lessons can be accessible to anyone.

JOEEの目標は英語教育ですが、特に個人レッスンを受けたくても金銭的な余裕がないお子さん達の為にお役に立ちたいと思っております。誰でも視聴できる様に生き生きとした歌や人形を使っての英語レッスンのビデオをユーチューブに載せる予定です。

“Miss Raku” and “Ruth-Sensei” have both created videos teaching basic English words. Please feel free to copy the links and share with friends; and encourage them to “Subscribe” to the YouTube channel which can be found by doing a search for “Ruth Gilmore Ingulsrud.”

「ミス・ラク」と「ルース先生」は 英語の基本的な言葉を教えるためのビデオを制作いたしました。リンクをコピーしてお友達とシェアすることは自由です。その際はユーチューブを使って「Ruth Gilmore Ingulsrud」で検索していただき、チャンネル登録をしていただく様にお伝えください。

Here are some links to the lessons. JOEE lesson 1 teaches the words – “Ball, Throw, Catch, Me and You.” Enjoy and share!

下記のリンクでレッスンを視聴できます。　JOEEレッスン１では「Ball, Throw, Catch, Me and You」という言葉を学びます。お楽しみください！またお友達にシェアしてください！

JOEE Lesson 2 teaches the words – “Up, Down, Around, Over, Under.”

JOEEレッスン２では、「Up, Down, Around, Over, Under」という言葉を学びます。

A special JOEE lesson for Halloween teaches the words – “Pumpkin, Cut, Eyes, Nose, Mouth.”

ハロウィンの特別なJOEEレッスンでは、「Pumpkin, Cut, Eyes, Nose, Mouth」の言葉を学びます。

Miss Raku’s lessons include more Japanese but do a great job of teaching basic English words. Here’s a lesson on the words – “Big and Small.”

「ミス・ラク」のレッスンでは、日本語も少し混ざりますが、基本的な英語の言葉をしっかりと教えます。このレッスンでは「Big and Small」の言葉を学びます。

Miss Raku teaches “Hot, Cold and Splash.”

「ミス・ラク」は「Hot, Cold and Splash」を教えます。

Here’s a Halloween lesson with a fun song about 5 Little Pumpkins.

ハロウィンの楽しい５つの小さなかぼちゃについての歌はこちらです。

Thank you for watching! Please support more JOEE lessons by clicking on the GlobalGiving donation link below:

ご視聴くださり、ありがとうございます。どうぞこの下にあるGlobalGiving 寄付についてのリンクをクリックしてください。

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/youmewe-collaboration-with-joee/

Hot Dog! Youthful Donors!

Our summer fundraising efforts were given a delightful boost by an unexpected donation from a couple of youthful philanthropists. Oliver and Jun spent part of their summer hawking hot dogs at a small lakeside stand. As hot doggers, they are not paid for their time, but they are allowed to keep any “tips” that end up in the tip jar on the counter. When the clink of coin is heard in the jar, a cheer goes up from the busy staff inside the hot dog stand. “Yay! Thank you! Domo arigatou gozaimasu!”

This year, JOEE would like to give a rousing cheer right back at them, because instead of keeping their tips and buying some cold “ramune” soda or other delicious summer treats, these two young gentlemen decided to donate ALL of their tips to JOEE, to help support educational programs for kids without parents in institutional homes. Needless to say, the parents of these two kind souls are cheering for them as well.

Thank you very much, Jun and Oliver! Your generous bag of change will help create positive change for many kids this year. JOEE welcomes any donation, large or small, and we are so encouraged by seeing generous hearts and habits develop at such a young age. Hot diggity dog!

If you would still like to donate to JOEE, the Global Giving Fundraiser is still up and running and can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/youmewe-collaboration-with-joee/
Thank you for your generous donation!

Our First Online Fundraiser!

Mid-July, JOEE launched our first public fundraiser with the help of another NPO that does great work with orphanages around the world, including many here in Japan: YouMeWe NPO, headed up by Michael Clemons. We had been volunteering at the same children’s home in Ota-ku for several months before Michael and I finally managed to meet. He ran a class with the older children on Mondays for computer skills, and I met with the younger children on Thursdays and Fridays for JOEE language lessons. He had been wondering where the younger kids had been learning those new words in English. Our work had been mutually supportive.

Lion Online!

We discovered that we had many goals in common and that our two nonprofits could help each other as we developed programs for the youth in institutionalized care. YouMeWe helped to connect JOEE with the GlobalGiving program just in time to be launched with their matching donations program.

On Wednesday, July 15 at 10 pm Japan Time (9 am Eastern Time in the US), the Global Giving Bonus Day began. Donations of $100 up to $1,000 were matched with percentage funds that went from 15% up to 50% for the highest level of gifts (from $750 to $1,000). The fund drive began with the blessing of one $36 donation and then it took off! Donations of all amounts are adding up. It looks like we might reach our goal of raising $5,000 in donations by the end of the month.

Continue reading Our First Online Fundraiser!

I Spy… a JOEE Quilt!

A warm and heartfelt THANK YOU to Julie Fukuda, master quilter, who donated this amazing hand-stitched quilt to JOEE this month. Wow! We are so grateful and we have so many plans for using this wonderful quilt during our lessons once they start up again.

This quilt is an “I Spy” quilt, bursting with beautiful fabrics showing lots of objects that can be found and named. The quilt calls to mind the traditional game of observation. “I spy with my little eye… ” This quilt will be perfect for teaching English words to young children. “Where is a cat? There it is! Find an owl. Yes, you found it! Can you find the kangaroos? There they are on each of the corners!”

Sewn into the back of the quilt is a little pocket containing two bean bags for use in more creative games. I can’t wait to use this colorful language learning tool. The JOEE kids at the orphanages are going to LOVE it!

A Lesson at St. Joseph’s

2019.07.03

Prior to the start of the summer of 2019, Ruth, Hiroko and I were able to schedule a lesson at St. Joseph’s Orphanage which would be open to preschool, kindergarten and lower grade elementary school children.  Armed with puppets, picture books, snacks, and prayer we waited expectantly for the kids to arrive. The staff there would like the program to be open to whomever would like to attend, so we weren’t sure how many children or what ages would participate.

Statue of Saint Joseph at the Children’s Home

At first, two elementary-age girls arrived.  It was lovely to meet them, but they left giggling at our silly dancing and opening song.  The clock was ticking our lesson minutes away, but finally, slightly damp and smelling of soap bubbles, a nice group of kindergarten-age children and their caretakers arrived!  Little feet carried them into the room and we began the “ball” lesson.

Ruth was the main teacher and led the lesson with her gentle grace and sweet voice.  Lots of giggles, happy faces, and great participation followed. Hiroko and I sat with warm children in our laps, little hands holding our own.  One boy in particular kept coming to my lap and seemed to really enjoy being with me. I prayed for him and all of his friends quietly in my heart as we all practiced “ball” and Ruth passed out animal shaped cookies.  “Please!” “Thank you!” Little voices filled the air with English. We acted out a story using puppets and sound effects, and I was able to reprise my role as “the snake” for “Can I Play Too?”

At the end of the lesson, we thanked the orphanage director for her hospitality.  We are praying that she will be happy with our program and invite us back.

— Raku