Art Projects- Making baskets
Singing at the morning assembly.
Cheering for us as we went up on the stage.
Slippers On.
This girl was so cute. She reminded me a lot of my niece, Kasey.
They love soccer and dodgeball.
Waiting for class to start.
Very expensive backpacks...seriously.
Unicycles for recess.
First Graders.They are so cute!
Today we went to Higashiterakata Elementary School in Tama City. We arrived before the children and we were in the playground as they started trickling in. They all walk to school. The first and second graders have little hats that are so adorable. They were all excited that we were there and ran to introduce themselves. All of them could say “my name is…” Several had a good handle on the language and others would look to them to interpret.
After meeting with the principal, we toured the school, their garden, rice paddy, forest trail, etc. It was amazing all the things they did at this school. The kids took a real interest in “owning the school.” There were two classes of each grade level and they were all very energetic and the teachers were awesome.
I had the privilege to be assigned to eat lunch in room 3-2. That is class 2 of the 3rd grade. This teacher had a guitar that he played for them and they all sang together. When I was in the room, we sang “Head, shoulders, knees, and toes” in English. The whole school was loud with good chaotic noise. Four kids from class 3-2 came to get me for lunch. They insisted on carrying my tray of rice, pork, soup, jello, and milk. When I walked into the room, they were waiting for me and they all stood and clapped. My name was on the board and I was given the tallest chair in the room! One of the girls (2 girls and 2 boys) spoke “okay” English. Together, the five of us formed a “han.” We ate lunch together. One thing I noticed about school lunch….they are all clean-platers. No one complains about what is being served. After we finished, they quickly got up and emptied their trays and stacked their dishes. No paper products are used. Exception…the milk carton. They tear it apart so it is flat.
When everyone had put their dishes away, about half of the class moved the desks to the side and the other half broke out the brooms. I was handed a broom and told where to sweep. After they finished sweeping, they got on their knees and wiped the floor with wet cloths. A sound chimed and they flip-flopped their roles. They moved the desks to the other side of the room and they swept and wiped the floors. They put the desks back in rows. There was no complaining, no whining, and NO TEACHER IN THE ROOM. They did this all on their own. Amazing!
While the teacher was gone (about a half an hour), he printed out a picture of me with my han and a picture of the whole class and me together. It is a treasure…especially after my camera froze up earlier in the day.
One of the really cool things about these kids and the ones in Jr. High was that they all had a sense of fair play. When something was “undecided,” they rock, paper, scissored it very quickly and whomever won won. That was it. Done.
After the cleaning, we went outside to play dodgeball. Again, no adults in site. Recess was pretty much on their own. The little ones wear hats and are so adorable.
When the children left, we had a meeting with several parents. I gave the closing statement and I must say it was pretty darn good. (Thanks for the help Mom). It was translated very well and I think it went over quite well. My colleagues all told me that I was “spot on.”
We had an opportunity to meet with the teachers and they had lots of questions for us. We found that we both had similar concerns, issues, and ideas. They would be just as surprised about our schools as we were with theirs. However, they are good surprises.
One thing I did find out…I have not used the Japanese toilet correctly! I was facing the wrong direction…not that it mattered! I just noticed that at the elementary school little shoe prints were painted on the floor in the opposite direction that I had had my feet. Live and learn.
As I said, my camera died early in the day. I was able to fix it this afternoon, but I may end up going the disposable route if I have to. I went to an electronics store and they had lots of cameras, but I decided not to chance the compatibility issue. The prices were comparable to the US.
Tomorrow, we will go to a private high school and then to Tama University. NOTE: In 6th grade, more than half of the students attend a JUCO school (the parents called it “cram” school) to prepare them for the Jr. High entrance exams. The schooling can last up to four hours a night after school. Now don’t you feel lucky!!!!!
Today we went to Higashiterakata Elementary School in Tama City. We arrived before the children and we were in the playground as they started trickling in. They all walk to school. The first and second graders have little hats that are so adorable. They were all excited that we were there and ran to introduce themselves. All of them could say “my name is…” Several had a good handle on the language and others would look to them to interpret.
After meeting with the principal, we toured the school, their garden, rice paddy, forest trail, etc. It was amazing all the things they did at this school. The kids took a real interest in “owning the school.” There were two classes of each grade level and they were all very energetic and the teachers were awesome.
I had the privilege to be assigned to eat lunch in room 3-2. That is class 2 of the 3rd grade. This teacher had a guitar that he played for them and they all sang together. When I was in the room, we sang “Head, shoulders, knees, and toes” in English. The whole school was loud with good chaotic noise. Four kids from class 3-2 came to get me for lunch. They insisted on carrying my tray of rice, pork, soup, jello, and milk. When I walked into the room, they were waiting for me and they all stood and clapped. My name was on the board and I was given the tallest chair in the room! One of the girls (2 girls and 2 boys) spoke “okay” English. Together, the five of us formed a “han.” We ate lunch together. One thing I noticed about school lunch….they are all clean-platers. No one complains about what is being served. After we finished, they quickly got up and emptied their trays and stacked their dishes. No paper products are used. Exception…the milk carton. They tear it apart so it is flat.
When everyone had put their dishes away, about half of the class moved the desks to the side and the other half broke out the brooms. I was handed a broom and told where to sweep. After they finished sweeping, they got on their knees and wiped the floor with wet cloths. A sound chimed and they flip-flopped their roles. They moved the desks to the other side of the room and they swept and wiped the floors. They put the desks back in rows. There was no complaining, no whining, and NO TEACHER IN THE ROOM. They did this all on their own. Amazing!
While the teacher was gone (about a half an hour), he printed out a picture of me with my han and a picture of the whole class and me together. It is a treasure…especially after my camera froze up earlier in the day.
One of the really cool things about these kids and the ones in Jr. High was that they all had a sense of fair play. When something was “undecided,” they rock, paper, scissored it very quickly and whomever won won. That was it. Done.
After the cleaning, we went outside to play dodgeball. Again, no adults in site. Recess was pretty much on their own. The little ones wear hats and are so adorable.
When the children left, we had a meeting with several parents. I gave the closing statement and I must say it was pretty darn good. (Thanks for the help Mom). It was translated very well and I think it went over quite well. My colleagues all told me that I was “spot on.”
We had an opportunity to meet with the teachers and they had lots of questions for us. We found that we both had similar concerns, issues, and ideas. They would be just as surprised about our schools as we were with theirs. However, they are good surprises.
One thing I did find out…I have not used the Japanese toilet correctly! I was facing the wrong direction…not that it mattered! I just noticed that at the elementary school little shoe prints were painted on the floor in the opposite direction that I had had my feet. Live and learn.
As I said, my camera died early in the day. I was able to fix it this afternoon, but I may end up going the disposable route if I have to. I went to an electronics store and they had lots of cameras, but I decided not to chance the compatibility issue. The prices were comparable to the US.
Tomorrow, we will go to a private high school and then to Tama University. NOTE: In 6th grade, more than half of the students attend a JUCO school (the parents called it “cram” school) to prepare them for the Jr. High entrance exams. The schooling can last up to four hours a night after school. Now don’t you feel lucky!!!!!
7 comments:
Hey Mrs. Graves....I check your blog every chance I get and tell Victoria all about it each evening. I just love seeing all the photos you are taking. Once upon a time I lived a little south of Tokyo in Kurihama. All the kids in their caps with their backpacks look just like the ones I saw way back when. I especially loved the Buddha photo. I remember the giant sandals. Stay safe and Keep Bloggin
Domo arigato gozaimasu!!!!!!! (Thank you very much!)
Thank you very much for the postcard from Kamakura!!!!!!!! I appreciate your thinking of me while on your HA in Japan.
カメロン ソヤー
P.S. I love hearing from you too!
Too funny about the "monster parents"! I am sure they are well represented everywhere :(
Hilarious about you using the toilets backwards, but, you had a 50-50 chance, ya know?
Keep the stories rollin'...they are great. I don't know where you find your energy after all your outings to come "home" and write., but I love it! :)
Oh, and I was picturing you INHALING your spaghetti.....first time being "full" since you arrived?
Kelley - (It seems weird calling you that, to me you'll always be Mrs. Graves)
I love the blog and all your pictures. I can tell your having an incredible time in Japan.
Keep in touch!
- Brad
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