The students in the Japan Culture Club have added some finishing touches to their soil paintings. With black markers, they have outlined their work to enhance their art. It looks very nice. I think that what makes this art so unusual is the texture that you get from the soil. One students combined some leaves that she found on the ground and used it as a stem. I thought it was very fitting that the kids chose themes from nature to paint. Some of the children went home and tried it on their own.

The students would like to make more paint and try getting different colors from different areas of the school yard. Right now the weather is very cold so we aren't spending much time outside.

The students in the club are not my regular students. I have been meeting with them when I have some extra time. We are getting close to testing and the time is getting limited. We are preparing for the final videoconference so we can share the paintings with our partner and also the other two schools. I am planning on purchasing some picture frames with the remaining money. We have an area in the front hall that is devoted to Japan and our exchange. This will be added to the display.

Please note that during the school year. Our Japanese Culture Club has been meeting on a weekly basis. These children have studied about WW2, watched videos relating to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, invited a local club of Japanese women to share kimonos, studied Japanese language, bugs and soil, fast plants and the soil painting. I am overwhelmed by the reaction of the parents and students. The children are not your typical "good" students. Most of the children are not on grade level, some speak little English and others have never been part of any school activities. I have students coming to me almost daily asking if we are having "Japanese Club" this week. They have voluntarily given up their recess to come meet. These students are the same ones that participated in the teddy bear exchange and paid to go to a Japanese restaurant.

I would have to say that our pair project has been an ongoing experience for the children that encompassed many, many different areas. The Japanese experience will be one that will always be remembered. I have two families that are trying to get to Japan this summer. This has been extremely successful for me and my students.