Monica & Friends and School in Japan（English Version）

Not for sale - free distribution

and

in

Hello, friends!

I’m Mauricio de Sousa, the creator of Monica and Friends, and I’m here to deliver a message!

If there’s something I learned when I was just a little boy, it’s how important education is. School is essential! Children must go to school!

That’s the only way they can have a better, brighter future.

So, it doesn’t matter if you’re going to be in Japan for a month or a year. Send your children to school. Give them the chance to benefit from this singular experience!

Think about it: your children will have the chance to speak two languages. Take this opportunity! At home, speak your native language with the kids. At school, encourage them to learn Japanese.

It will be good for the children and for the adults too.

These are Monica and Friends.

Smudget

Monica

Jimmy Five’s sidekick for all their antics!

He’s always busy, but is afraid of water!

Leader of the Friends! She’s strong and bursting with personality!

Jimmy Five

Maggy

Always plotting foolproof plans to become the leader of the Friends, and sometimes confuses his words.

Monica’s best friend.

She’s very sweet and has a huge appetite.

They are very close friends and, together with their parents, they’ll be living for a little while...

...in Japan!

3

When children turn 6, they start going to school at the beginning of April, which is when the school year starts in Japan.

See you later!

Take care, honey

Yes, mom!

Does everyone go to school?

The content and rules of each school differ depending on the region and the school itself. If you don’t understand something, ask someone at your school and your friends.

4

Yes! Everyone goes to school!

Bye!!

(Ittekimasu)

In Japan, the routine is different! Children don’t take a bus to school! They walk to school, together...

No Japão, os costumes são diferentes.

As crianças não vão pra escola de ônibus.

Elas vão a pé, juntas...

5

...Because your school is located in the same neighborhood where you live!

They are highly respected by everyone and also on the roads. And they wear a cap, so everyone knows they are going to school!

6

Tikawa and Keika!

Do you study here?

Yes!

We’re going to show you...

...What school is like in Japan!

School ( Gakko )

7

Arriving at School The first thing to do...

...Is to take off your shoes!

Then we put them in the shoe cabinet!

Yay!

At school, we use slippers*!

(Getabako)

(Uwabaki)

*The slippers (Uwabaki) are used inside the school and sneakers are used outside.

8

Arriving in the classroom chair

Put your school supplies under your desk

(Isu)

(Tsukue)

Put your backpack and cap in the cubby (Rokka)

9

Wow! That’s a lot of people!

What are we waiting for? Let’s go in!

When’s lunch break?

Shh!

This is the school’s principal! (kocho sensei)

Before the classes start, he gives some instructions to the students...

10

...And welcomes them!

(Yokoso)

Welcome to Cherry Blossom School!

Now, let’s talk about the supplies we use in our daily routine at school!

Clothing (Yofuku )

Personal supplies we bring to school every day

Personal supplies we keep at school 11

Clothing And the randoseru, which is the traditional Japanese backpack!

We wear a yellow cap and sneakers!

(Sunika)

Everyone uses the same kind of backpack! You can choose your own color!

For physical education class, we change out of our normal clothes...

12

...and into the appropriate uniform, the taisogi!

Now, let’s talk about the personal supplies...

Personal supplies

...that we bring to school every day!

We bring to school every day

Red pencil

Pencil (enpitsu)

(aka enpitsu)

Pencil case

Eraser (Keshigomu)

Ruler

(monosashi)

(fudebako)

Notebook (noto)

13

For class

Pencil board (Shitajiki)

Folder

(Renraku-bukuro)

School calendar

Textbook (Kyokasho)

(Renrakucho)

For lunch break

Pack of tissues (Poketto teisshu)

Handkerchief (hankachi)

Both are always kept inside your pocket.

Lunch kit

(Kyushoku Setto) 14

Personal supplies

kept at school

Umbrella (kasa)

Disaster protection hood (Bosai zukin)

Dust rag (Zokin)

15

Crayons (Kureyon)

Glue (Nori)

Scissors

Tape

(Hasami)

(Serotepu)

Stapler ( Hochikisu)

Supply box (dogubako)

Colored pencils (iro enpitsu)

16

Ohayo Gozaimasu*!

Ohayo Gozaimasu!

(Good morning!)

Good morning!

It’s because he doesn’t speak Japanese!

Speak up!

17

He’s still learning our language!

But that’s why he’s here, right?

He needs patience and persistence!

I’m sorry!

Very well!

Let’s start our class!

18

In the beginning, the different language may be hard...

...and the help of new friends, everything works out!

But, with time...

NOBODY NEEDS TO BE ALONE!!

If you’re having trouble, talk to the teacher! (sensei)

Or to your pawents!

19

And what are classes like here?

Japanese We have Japanese classes...

Dinosaur

(Kokugo)

Art...

Science...

(Zuga Kosaku)

(Rika) atom

Mathematics (Sansu)

Eight!

Social Studies

Brazil!

(Burajiru!)

(Shakai)

Japan!

(Nihon!)

20

And also, music* classes

harmonica

flute

(hamonika)

(rikoda)

*(Ongaku)!

singing (uta)

Besides Japanese calligraphy classes!

(Shodo)

(Suzuri)

(pianika)

j i m m y

m o n i c a

Inkstone

Melodica

f i v e

Paper weight (Bunchin)

Brush (fude)

21

Other information Now, let’s talk about earrings?

In Japanese culture they don’t pierce children’s ears, as is common in other places!

YES!

You can wear them outside school!

So... In Japan, earrings are not allowed at school!

Of any size!

Take it easy, Maggy!

Don’t say hello to your friends with a handshake or a hug! When you greet someone, just bend forward a little bit!

Another different thing between Eastern and Western culture is greetings!

22

Lunch break Huh?! Did I read that right?

Woohoo!!

Lunch time!!

Yes, you did Maggy!

The best time of the day!

Here, in Japan, students take turns...

Maggy!

Wait!

...serving lunch to everyone!

23

Today is our day!

What?

When serving food, you have to wear: Cap

(Boshi)

Mask

(Masuku)

Apron (Hakui)

And everyone says thanks, before they start eating!

(we’re thankful for what we’re about to eat!!)

24

Yay!! It’s time for recess!

Let’s play!

Yayy!!

That was delicious!

Recess Baseball!

Soccer!

K

Basketball!

BON

You can play whatever you want!

25

Hi Silva!

Of course!

Do you wanna play with us?

Hi, Monica!

When you’re in a group, it’s easier to adapt!

26

Can I?

What’s that sound, Tikara?

It’s time to go back to class!

But, before that, it’s time to...

...clean-up!

(Soji)

Clean-up?

Here, in Japan, after recess, the students take turns cleaning the school!

Classrooms, bathrooms, etc!

27

After class If you have important letters*... put them in the folder and take them home *(Oshirase)

Write down the schedule* for the following day, every day. *(Yotei)

...DELIVER THE LETTER TO YOUR GUARDIAN!

AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME...

YES, TEACHER!

28

Good question, Monica!

What if I need to miss school, teacher?

When you need to miss school...

Maggy has a stomach ache!

AY ON THE D NT, SE B A E YOU’LL B RDIAN A U YOUR G ITE IN MUST WR LENDAR YOUR CA ON WHY THE REAS BSENT YOU’RE A HE T OR CALL L! O O H SC

29

Then, you just have to ask a friend to bring your calendar...

... and give it to the teacher!

Stomach ache?

30

She ate a lot yesterday!

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES THERE ARE A LOT OF FUN CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR!

Field trips (Ensoku)

Swimming classes (Puru)

Sports day (Undokai)

Interesting fact: schools have pools, because the water is used to put out the fire if there is an emergency.

31

GUARDIANS ARE NOTIFIED ABOUT ALL THESE EVENTS!

Cool!

T ice a year persw o GUARnDal interv,iethere’s a w IANS a nd te between acher s!

we hs,ween ! t n mo et ers six ings bteach y r t Evee mee S and hav DIAN

R

GUA

And, once a year, the teacher visits the student at his or her house!

32

Bye bye, children!

Get home safely!

Thank you for everything Monica!

You’re welcome!

Hooray! I’m happy for him!

33

Tikara! Keika!

Wait for me!

I can’t wait to get home...

...How much cool stuff we learned today!

...AND TELL EVEWYONE...

(It was fun!!)

The end 34

Support:

Consulado - Geral do Brasil em Hamamatsu

Consulado - Geral do Brasil em Tรณquio

Consulado - Geral Brasil em Tรณquio

Consulado - Geral do Brasil em Nagoia

Consulado - Gera Brasil em Nago

Completion:

Contact: info@monicaandfriends.jp