Japan 5

Japanese Kimono

Japanese traditional costume is called Kimono. Although nowdays japanese people don't wear kimono daily, they still wear it in special occasions such as festival. (photo: doing pointilism with twig on kimono print out with friend)

Japan 4

Bonsai: Small but Old

Bonsai are potted trees or shrubs, famous in Japan, that have been pruned and trained so that they grow to no more than around 1 meter high. In ancient times bonsai were usually enjoyed by aristocrats, priests, and other high-ranking people, but from around the seventeenth century, commoners began delighting in them, too. Da Hye learnt the basic technique of making Bonsai: pruning, wiring, repotting...make sure you don't miss the activity.

Japan 3

Sashimi: Yummy Raw Sea Creatures

Japanese loves raw fish and other sea creatures like squid, octopus, clam, shrimp and even sea cucumber...yucky??? NO NO NO..It's yummy and they are nutricious too. (photo: da hye and dd in the sashimi bar. Eating alive octopus was a challange, specially because they crawled out of the dish. She tried sushi too!) Click here to learn more about sashimi and sushi, the fact, history, etiquete, gallery, etc.

Japan 2

Fuku Warai: New Year Game

In new year, children in Japan play a game called "Fuku Warai", which is a bit like pin-the-tail-in-the-donkey. Blindfolded player has to put the eyes, nose and mouth on the right place on the comical, round face of a woman. Though da hye couldn't play it for real, she had LOADS of fun playing the online version.

Japan 1

Ikebana: Heika or Moribana?

Ikebana is Japanese art of flower arrangement. It evolve in Japan for seven centuries. There are two main types of ikebana: Heika (using tall vase) and Moribana (using dish-like container). After getting enough knowledge about ikebana, da hye tried to arrange ikebana online. Heika was her favourite.

Socialization 6

Snail Mail Friend

Friends from far away places have always been part of homeschooler's life. Snail mail friends are always be there to share stories and to listen. Da Hye is writing a postcard to another homeschooler in Australia.

Socialization 5

Bubble Party: a simple way to have fun

What you need is just a handful of detergent to make a LOAD of fun. (photo: da hye and korean friends, older and younger)

Socialization 4

Indonesia Independence Day Celebration

Homeschoolers love being in crowd and they are not afraid. Competitions? They are more than ready to win but never be afraid or sad to loose. (photo: da hye joining some races/competitions in the celebration of Indonesia independence day, she won the first prize in the 'catching eel' competition and sack race)

Household Management 2

Mid Summer Clean Up Day

Clean house is not just healthy but it's also beautiful......and homeschooler is always be part of making it happen.

Marine Mammal 5

Pinniped Family

Pinniped is a fin-footed marine mammal. Pinniped consists of three families: seal, sea lion and walrus. They are grouped based on their flipper, how they walk on land and the presence of ear flap. Marine Mammal Center provides information about the pinniped, including the printable activity.

Marine Mammal 4

Dolphin Web Quest

It is essensial for the homeschooler to be able to do a web research. Da Hye was researching about 8 kinds of dolphins in Google. She found out that common dolphin was colorful, Risso's dolphin had scars, bottlenose dolphin was playful and that spinner dolphin was the most acrobatic.

Marine Mammal 3

Whale Song

Whales do sing. Different whales have different sound and they use this for communication and echolocation. Can you differentiate humpback from sperm whale from their sound? What about orca? Interested in the activity? Go to Lawrence Hall of Science, yo can even learn the oscilloscope too.

Marine Mammal 2

Hold On Your Breath

Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) have an amazing ability to hold their breath underwater. Bottlenose dolphin can stand 10 minutes underwater, sperm whale can stand for 140 minutes but Da Hye could make it just for 16 seconds in the bath tub. Print the cetacean breath chart from American Cetacean Society.

Marine Mammal 1

Dolphin: River and Sea

Dolphins don't just live in the sea. Some of them live in Amazon River in Brazil (Boto), Indus and Gange River in India/Pakistan (Bhulan) and Yang Tze River in China (Baiji). Da Hye researched on the difference between the river and sea dolphins and found out that some of river dolphins were pinky or creamy. They had poor sight and almost blind and had longer beaks than those of the sea dolphins. Visit Arkive to see baiji and boto.