1^st issue July 20, 2010

Welcome to

the SAGANO ENGLISH NEWSLETTER!

We are the Editors:

Joseph Woodworth Hi! It is nice to meet you. I am 29 years old and I am from the United States of America. I lived in New York State, very close to Niagara Falls. My hobbies are taking pictures and travelling. I’ve travelled all around America. I also like to mountain bike and go hiking. My favorite place in Japan is Yarigatake Sanso.

Clare Cross Hello! It’s nice to meet you! I am from Scotland in Great Britain and am 27 years old. I came from Glasgow, which is Scotland’s largest city but I grew up on an island on the west coast. My hobbies are playing sports and cooking. I live in Arashiyama in Kyoto and I think it is a wonderful place. I really enjoy being in Japan.

This newsletter is for junior high school students and it

² gives you information in English about Sagano High School,

² helps you become familiar with the level of English at Sagano,

² makes it possible for you to ask questions, and receive answers.

In this issue we will introduce

◇ School Events

◇ Mini-Lecture ― Essay Structure

◇ To the Readers

1. School Events

Here are some of the recent school events.

Step-up Seminar (1^st years)

All 1^st year students go to an overnight camp as soon as they enter Sagano High

School. Students receive guidance about life in high school and studying. It is a

good chance for students to get to know their new classmates and become friends

with each other.

Excursion BBQs (2^nd and 3^rd years)

All 2^nd year students go to a camp in Kyoto-City for a bbq.

All 3^rd year students go to a camp in Shiga Prefecture for a bbq.

Students and teachers cook in groups and they can enjoy casual time together.

This helps students start the new school year with the new classmates positively.

Club Activities

There are 29 different club activities in Sagano High School. 1^st year students

have the chance to visit clubs before deciding to join.

About 80% of Sagano students belong to the clubs. There are some students

who belong to two different clubs.

15 Sports Clubs

Badminton Rugby Table Tennis Kendo

Karate Soccer Basketball Volleyball

Baseball Softball Swimming Baton Twirling

Soft Tennis Hiking Track and Field

14 Non-sports Clubs

Art Science Shogi Drama

Brass Band Light Music Discussion Photography

Broadcasting Literature Computer Tea Ceremony Applied

Fine Arts Flower Arrangement

Open School Days

On July 10(Sat.) and July 11(Sun.), we had Open School for those who are

interested in the Kyoto Cosmos Course. Many junior high school students heard

resentation in English by Sagano students. Junior high school students could

also take two different lessons. After the lessons they talked and consulted

with Sagano students about school life, examination, etc. We are going to hold

another Open School on July 31(Sat.). Come and see Sagano! We are waiting

for you!!

English Immersion Camp 2010

On July 28-29, we are going to have all-English overnight camp for the 1^st year

students of the Kyoto Cosmos Course. There are a lot of activities: games,

lectures, intensive exercises, skit contest, etc.

The 10^th Cosmos Cup English Recitation Contest

We plan to hold the 10^th Cosmos Cup English Recitation Contest on Sep. 25(Sat.).

If you are interested in the contest, you can check the guidelines for applicants here.

こすもす杯要項

2. Mini-Lecture − Essay Structure

I. Introduction (Write a thesis statement)

II. Body

· Topic Sentence 1: (Main Idea 1)

A. Support

1. Detail/example

2. Detail/example

B. Support

1. Detail/example

2. Detail/example

· Topic Sentence 2: (Main Idea 2)

A. Support

1. Detail/example

2. Detail/example

B. Support

1. Detail/example

2. Detail/example

· Topic Sentence 3: (Main Idea 3)

A. Support

1. Detail/example

2. Detail/example

B. Support

1. Detail/example

2. Detail/example

III. Concluding Paragraph

PARTS OF AN ESSAY

INTRODUCTION -A few sentences explaining your topic in general terms can lead the reader gently to your

thesis. Each sentence should become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis.

1. Introduce the topic in one paragraph or less.
2. Be inviting and entice the reader to continue after reading the first sentence.
3. Indicate how the topic is going to be developed.  (Cause-effect, reasons, examples -- Will it classify, describe, narrate or explain?)
4. Write a thesis statement.

Here is a short example written by a Sagano High School student. It is a good introduction because it is short

and clear. It very simply explains the subject and gives an opinion.

I think that the book The Ring written by Bernard Smith which takes place in a small town

near the sea is a story about human jealousy and Egocentricity.

BODY – The body paragraphs will explain your essay's topic. Each of the main ideas that you

listed in your outline will become a paragraph in your essay. If your outline contained three

main ideas, you will have three body paragraphs. Each main idea should be supported with facts

and examples.

1. Introduce each main idea with a Paragraph.
2. Develop each paragraph with facts and examples.
3. Each Paragraph should have one topic.
4. No paragraph should contradict or repeat another.

Here is a short example written by a Sagano High School student. It is a good body paragraph because it has

one topic and uses facts and examples.

I think the book is about the importance of doing what we like and not giving up because of

the following reasons. Firstly, Tony liked music very much and he really enjoyed singing songs and

playing the piano. Secondly, he made a lot of effort and it is shown by the fact that he practiced

very hard for the competition and won it. His efforts bore fruit.

CONCLUSION – The conclusion should clearly review the main points, being careful not to restate them

exactly, or briefly describe your opinion about the topic.

1. Must not use the same words used in your introduction or body.
2. Write at least 3 - 4 well written and convincing sentences.
3. Review the main points of the topic.
4. Do not say thank you for reading.

Here is a short example written by a Sagano High School student. It is a good beginning to a conclusion

paragraph because it restates the main idea in a different way and reviews the main point.

After having read the book Crossing the Dark Continent by Daniel Defoe I think the author

wanted us to know about the fact that we are helpless against nature and to keep in mind

that human beings were mistaken in the pass. The author tried telling these things through

this story as I have shown above.

Below is a checklist you should use when you finish writing an Essay. If you answer yes to everything,

you are finished!

Revising Checklist                                    YES!       

Are my ideas clear and easy to follow?         

Is there a better way to organize my Ideas?  

Will my reader be able to find and understand my main idea? 

Did I provide enough details and examples?    

(Source)

Introduction (Asami Chiaki)

I think that the book The Ring written by Bernard Smith which takes place in a small town near the sea

is a story about human jealousy and Egocentricity.

body paragraph (Narahara Akari)

I think the book is about the importance of doing what we like and not giving up because of the following

reasons. Firstly, Tony liked music very much and he really enjoyed singing songs and playing the piano.

Secondly, he made a lot of effort and it is shown by the fact that he practiced very hard for the competition

and won it. His efforts bore fruit.

Conclusion (Nakano Taiki)

After having read the book Crossing the Dark Continent by Daniel Defoe I think the author wanted us to

know about the fact that we are helpless against nature and to keep in mind that human beings were

mistaken in the pass. The author tried telling these things through this story.

3. To the Readers

If you have any questions about Sagano High School, please feel free to ask us.

We will write you back here or personally.

personally 個別に

　　　　　　　 sagano-hs@kyoto-be.ne.jp