Monthly Dharma School Superintendent Report
December 2006
With the holidays quickly approaching, it makes all of us remember how fortunate and lucky the Seattle Betsuin Dharma School is. We have dedicated teachers, energetic and eager students wanting to learn about the Buddhist teachings, and a wonderful temple that we can all gather together each week. We are all very grateful for the many things we have. Below are some classroom reports that illustrate what the children are learning in their classrooms:
Infant/Toddler: (Teachers – Ann Hasegawa and Connie Ozeki-Chinn)
The Infant/Toddler classroom started the new school year by making new Onenjus. The children seem to like making new ones each year and it also makes it easier for the parents to have more than one. The children then painted wooden Onenju boxes to keep their new Onenjus in.
In October, we decorated Halloween bags and everyone got to take home some goodies.
During the past two weeks, the children have been busy gluing together popsicle sticks to make a wall hanging, that they will then decorate. This was their Muen Hoyo project.
Pre K/K: (Teachers – Joyce Kato, Marie Kosai-Luke, Joan Nakano and Kari Ann Yokoyama)
The PreK/Kindergarten students started the month of October by making their own obutsudan and its adornments. They learned about the arrangement of the five basic articles – the central image of reverence, the food offering, flowers, incense burner, and the candle. Emphasis was placed on daily recitation of the nembutsu at the obutsudan and reflecting upon his/her conduct. With the coming of Halloween, there was a discussion on right conduct during trick-or-treating, that is, being grateful for whatever we receive, and always being grateful for having received the candy. Thank you to the 6th/7th Dharma School students, who were so kind to host a Halloween party for our class. Cookie decorating, games, and receiving candy were all part of the great fun. To conclude the month’s lesson on gratitude the students learned about the Four Gratitudes in Buddhism. Emphasis was put on the fourth gratitude – being grateful for the Buddha. They learned that there was a gatha entitled “Thank You Buddha” and drew pictures to coordinate with the different verses of the gatha.
During the month of November, the class will continue their learning on being grateful and thankful. They made a thank you card that they presented to the 6th/7th grade class, thanking them for the fun Halloween party. They are also creating a collage showing pictures of all of the things they are thankful for.
1st/2nd grade: (Teachers – Dave Scattergood and Joyce Tsuji)
The 1st/2nd grade class has been enjoying the fall season with some themed activities. We discussed the Golden Chain and being "kind to every living thing" then made a cat out of a small pumpkin. We read a story about ugly unwanted pumpkins who were transformed into glowing jack o lanterns followed by a discussion about how everyone has a good glow within them. We created our own jack o lanterns. We alsoread the story of Siddartha, his cousin Devadatta and the dove where Siddartha wins the right to save the dove instead of having it go to his cousin to be killed. We then put together a dove out of apaper plate and spoon. Finally we discussed the Etaikyoobservance and the importance of those who have come before us including our families. Wemade a wreath of leaves as a nod to our own family trees. During this holiday season we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who makes it possible for us to gather here to share the dharma. Our students are kind, extremely bright and willing to participate in our always lively discussions. This is a testament to all we wish to thank.
4th/5th grade: (Teachers – Sheri Mizumori, Steph Ojima and Tina Zumoto-Ko)
Unfortunately for the children of this class, their teacher is very much into exposing them to as much basic Buddhism in a short amount of time. Therefore, there has been much discussion taking place during class time. Since the last report, our class has covered various Buddhist symbols (the lotus, the Buddhist flag, gold used in the shrine, the Wisteria, the Dharmacakra, the okesa, and the onenju); etiquette (entering and leaving the Hondo, use of the seiten and to 'itadaku', the proper way to oshoko); and the Six Paramitas.Because it is November, we have paid particular attention to 'the Four Gratitudes'; Giving (by eyes, by face, by mouth, by heart, by body, by position, and hospitality); and sharing.
Our classreceived a letter from Lyndsay, from the Arizona Buddhist Temple. She is in the 5th grade. So, we took time to compose a letter from our class, telling her about Sunday Service, what we're learning in class, and theafter-Temple activities we participate in. We're hoping that Lyndsay will answer our letter.
Right now, the children arecomposing cinquainpoems. We hope to have them printed in a future newsletter. So, stay tuned!
6th/7th grade: (Teachers – Paul Mori, Angela Sato and Nina Tomita-Kato)
Great news- Lica Wada will soon be assisting with teaching the 6th/7th grade class. During the past month, we have done some great community service and planned a party for the Pre K, K class. The students decided on centers they wanted the children to participate in, planned the activity, made the necessary items and organized the rotation of the centers.
We have also been reading stories created by Grace McCleod and shared what we have gained from the readings. The students have begun to do some housecleaning in the library and have attempted to do a little organizing. It is a great resource and some of the students have even founds things of interest to them in our library.