Getting Ready for the Year

Today was my third day in my class getting ready for the new year. I'm getting ideas straight in my mind for teaching Japan by blending it into the curriculum I'm required to teach. These are a couple of photos of things that will help me fulfill my follow on plan. The bulletin board is in the hall, and on the first day of school the students will all make their own beckoning cat.
The other display is in my classroom.
That display will probably change throughout the year. I'm ready to go!

I'm making sushi - sort of

Thursday was the Wisconsin State Fair. Well, it's the best place to buy gadgets and stuff. I found a sushi maker that looked fairly easy to use. So, I bought it, and today was my first attempt at making sushi.

Here I am with the head sash and knife that came with the kit. Don't I look official? First, I had to wash the rice. I've never done that before. It took several times to get the water clear. These are all of my ingredients. I wasn't very creative. I have seaweed, avocado, cucumber, fake crab, and salmon.


It took a few tries to get into the grove, but it got easier. I think I need less rice and more filling. The mold is pretty easy to use. You choose the mold shape that you want. Then, you put the seaweed liner in and fill with rice part way. You use a little pusher to smash the rice down and make an indentation. Put whatever filling you want in the indentation. Fill with rice and then fold the seaweed over the top sealing it with water. Then, the top piece goes on to finish the shape and push it down. There are slits in the side of the mold to cut perfect thicknesses.

This is my first attempt at sushi. I need to work on the inside out rolls. First I forgot the seaweed, and then I made it look like an eye! Oh well, practice makes perfect.

Like I said, less rice, more filling. I bought plum wine and sake, so even if it doesn't taste good, I'll think it does. My sister and brother-in-law came over to try the sushi, and they said it was good! I have to agree. I just need to get more inventive with my fillings to shake things up a bit.