Homework for May 8

For the May 8 meeting (6:30-8:00pm, Room A6), please do the following:

1.  Go to Kids Web Japan and memorize Lesson 2.  You will have a quiz on these words at our next meeting!  Review the 14 expressions and words from Lesson 1. Quiz your parents!

2.  Find five common facts about Nanao/Monterey.  Be sure to cite your sources.

3. Register yourself on the Junior Wings blog.

4.  Apply for your passport!  If you already have one, bring it to Mrs. Frost in the office for copying.  Give copy to Mr. Rimmer or Mrs. Salter.

5.  Join the Colton Junior Wings Human Race Team - 347.  See Human Race Home Page post for instructions.

6.  Continue soliciting Human Race pledges.

Homework for April 24

For the April 24 meeting (6:30-8:00pm, Room A6), please do the following:

1.  Go to Kids Web Japan and memorize the 14 common expressions and useful words listed in Lesson #1: Japanese Greetings and Writing system.  You will have a quiz on these words at our next meeting!  While you only need to memorize the 14 expressions and words, please read all of Lesson 1.

2.  Find five general facts about Japan.  Be sure to cite your sources.

3.  Begin  creating your name placard.  It should be approximately 12" x 19" in size.

3.  Register yourself on the Junior Wings blog.

4.  Apply for your passport!  If you already have one, bring in a copy to Mrs. Frost in the office for copying.  Give copy to Mr. Rimmer or Mrs. Salter.

5.  Join the Colton Junior Wings Human Race Team - 347.  See Human Race Home Page post for instructions.

6.  Begin soliciting Human Race pledges.

Presentation given in class: April-10-2012.pdf

Junior Wings Alums Return for Next Generation Jazz Festival

Madoka Itoku (JW2009) and Chinatsu Ishida (JW2011) returned to Monterey over the weekend with the Ishikawa Junior Jazz Academy (IJJA) to participate in the Next Generation Jazz Festival sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival.

The IJJA performed three times over the weekend, once at Pacific Grove Middle School, then twice at the festival, once at the Museum of Monterey (the old Maritime Museum in Customs House Plaza), and finally on the main stage at the Monterey Conference Center.

Wow, and what performances they were!  They played a set of tunes, including Sidewinder, Take the A Train, Skylark, Alisa, and Walking down the Nakamise Street (an original by the group leader, Junko Moriya).  Madoka and Chinatsu were part of the horn section, Madoka on trumpet and Chinatsu on trombone.  Madoka played several short solos.

While most of the groups performing at the festival were competing for festival awards and so had their "game faces' on, the IJJA group was there by special invitation.  They were visibly enjoying their performance and played with such happy, carefree energy that they brought the audience to their feet for a standing ovation that lasted several minutes!

Two other Junior Wingers also performed at the festival as members of the MJF Monterey County Middle School Honor Band: Marina Panzetta (alto sax) and Kane Russell (trombone).  As festival announcer Al Adolph put it, this middle school band is "where the Monterey Jazz Festival begins."  The band of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders showed that they definitely belonged up on stage with the older students!

While jazz was what brought everyone together, it was fun to see the Junior Wings alums again, this time with their mothers (!) and to make new friends.  It was a wonderful 5 days.