2010.06.25

The Kashiwazaki Elementary School visit was on this date, and was most delightful on many levels. It started with an assembly of the entire school (1-6 grades) in our honor, and included speeches and band music, and was truly on a level we don't expect our own elementary students to be able to do (at least not when I was in elementary school). Apparently the individual bands had worked on their numbers for only two weeks, but it was such a polished performance I could only observe in awe. A question asked of the principal (who seemed pleased to show off his school, and with good reason) was the introduction of keigo or polite style language that was noticed in the speeches of the students; when and how was that introduced? His response was that it happened gradually over the years as such opportunities for assemblies would require such speeches, and then those students selected for this responsibility would be coached and assisted in that process. This allows all students to gradually become more aware of its usage over time. It was a wonderful presentation, and he, the principal, was an energetic individual that was more than just an administrator, one who was generally concerned and thinking about how to have a superior learning experience for his students. We were given a tour of the school, and I was most impressed by the children's art (even the various posters on dental health), the utilization of the stairways to have continual focus brought to mind on differing topics (as two examples, kanji of numbers increasing as one is going up the stairwell, arabic numbers doing the same on another stairwell), even sign language for hiragana (I can sign 'heya' by using the Hawaiian 'shaka' symbol in different orientations), garden areas, rabbit runs (students are in charge of feeding, cleaning, and caring for them), a well provided computer room (not kept air-conditioned which leads me to think American computers are not as sophisticated in their ability to work at regular temperatures; Apple and PC, better look out!), of course a library, pool, and more. We learned that schools are only built 3 stories tall in case there is an emergency (fire, earthquake, etc.), the students can still get out safely (eg. ladders can reach the third floor.). In the Saitama Ken area there is a sponsor that provided large screen TVs for the schools, and that kind of community support is mostly missing in the U.S.. We then went to observe a class in action. My class was in the pool, and was certainly active. The girls were in the water when we first arrived, and it switched then to the boys. I would guess it keeps things a bit more relaxed and sedate that way, for American style tends to get a bit boisterous. After that we were able to have lunch with the class. And though I hurried my meal so I could be done to observe the class and reactions, they then immediately insisted I eat more. And then more. My kamisama, I thought I was gonna die they kept insisting. Then they wouldn't let me finish the last of what they gave me and it looks like it gets recycled or something. All I know is, in Japan one doesn't have time to waste, so do your eating quickly. Unless you are in an elementary school class. The teacher was very specific and controlling, and she had her own rules on certain behaviors. She did not approve of adults taking pictures of children, especially when they are in a pool, or a class, or something like that. I would call her manner strict and abrupt, and she is almost exactly like my own first (and then again for the next year, second!) grade teacher, who I still remember very clearly even today. After lunch students brush their teeth and then it is time to clean the room. The class I observed was a first grade class, and even after just 2 and a half months of school they are well regulated, and know what the expectations are. After this I met with my group, and we gave our presentation to a fourth grade class. I think it went well. We presented information in a quiz format for the individual states that we represented. The main teacher of the class helped choose students to offer answers, and I noticed he very carefully choose different students who had not yet had turns, and switched back and forth male to female. I feel he may be a superior teacher who gets on very well with his students. One young lady who was especially astute (and I had thought was not typically Japanese looking), we found out later was from Vietnam, and segues very nicely on information we received on the increasing diversity of Japan's population. All in all, I was impressed.