In the first period today, Nature Lab classes started. Nature means "Shizen" in Japanese. The children looked back on the nature they had been exposed to over the past six months.
Char, kiwi, cucumber, chicken, rice, strawberry, egg… We encountered a variety of aspects of nature in Okuma. But these are things we have experienced which are grown by other people. What do we want to grow in Yumenomori? We came up with various ideas such as fruits and animals, but first we need to know what kind of environment Yumenomori has for "growing''. Everyone remembered that there was a field when they were shown around by Taisei Corporation, so they decided to go to the field right away.

When we arrived at the field, the designers were dancing with their umbrellas open. It looked like they were scattering something into the soil even though it was raining. The designers were excited and said, "Now you can eat delicious vegetables!'' But the students who have grown vegetables in planters, or helped grow potatoes, know this already. "You can't just sprinkle the soil, you have to soften the soil!'' Furthermore, there are many weeds in this field. If we clear this field, we can grow vegetables here. They chanted, "Let's clean the field with everyone's help!'' and began weeding in the rain.

At first, they pulled the grass by hand, but there were a number of weeds with deep roots that were difficult to pull out. After searching the warehouse and finding a shovel, weeding became easier.

Everyone is serious about weeding. Their bodies are full of motivation, but they have to start practicing for the play in a few minutes. Furthermore, a science designer told them shockingly, "To create a field, after pulling out weeds, you need to use a tool called a tiller to till the field and create ridges for planting vegetables.'' Come to think of it, everyone remembered that we used soft soil when growing vegetables in the planters, and that we planted potato seedlings in neatly leveled fields. The tiller in the warehouse doesn't even have an engine.

Everyone thinks about if they know anyone who is good at farming or machinery. They thought a lot about people who they knew well, including people at home and the school concierge (janitor), but there was a designer who happened to have the phone number Mr. Matsunaga, who always takes care of us, so we decided to call him.

When we called, Mr. Matsunaga said: "Of course!'' and readily agreed to come help. As we continued to wait while pulling up the weeds, a bright red tractor came dashing towards us.

Mr. Matsunaga looked at the condition of the field and advised, "It's easier to till the plucked grass if it's spread out rather than all in one place.'' We used wheelbarrows to scatter the grass we had collected. When the tractor pulls out its blade and starts plowing, the soil in the field is quickly lifted up.

Everyone experienced agricultural work that involved using hands, tools, and machines. During the process, there were times when the designer urged them to use machines, saying things like, "We don't have enough time,'' and "It's definitely not possible without machines.'' Even so, everyone kept working tirelessly, saying, "We can do it!'' and "We'll do our best all day long!'' The children always surpass the designers' outlook. We're really looking forward to farming in the future.

Today at noon, we received a handy fan from Futaba Jimuki. President Futaba Jimuki is a senior to the children of Yumenomori. In addition to providing supplies for the school, they also support the children's learning activities through their website and other resources.

The handheld fans we received were given to the children. This fan will become indespensable during the summers we have at Yumenomori. Thank you very much to everyone at Futaba Jimuki.

The first-year students made bulletin boards to put up in the elementary school space. We will line up the many memories that will be made on this tree. We want to watch the tree grow and see what kind of tree it will become.

The 6th grade students cut up paper fish and made a headband to wear on their heads. Please look forward to seeing what kind of situations this headgear will be used in!