I had a very busy day today!
Today we visited Hashima Junior High School. We didn’t have to get up as early as yesterday because we didn’t watch the students arriving at the school. They were already there when we arrived – practically hanging out of the windows saying “Hello” to us when they saw us walking up to the building. After a short session with the superintendent, principal, and assistant principal we were escorted to different classrooms for an English class. The students in the class I went to had prepared some practice exercises to say to me that involved telling me one of their school rules and then asking me a question about our school rules. It went something like: “In Japan we mustn’t bring money to school. What about in your school?” Then I would have a chance to answer them. I tried to speak very slowly and clearly so they could understand me. I think that at least some of them did. They ooooohed and aaaaaahed about the class photograph that Ms. Lipovic took and I left several copies of it for them. I also showed them photos of my family, house, Woodbury, and some of my students. They were VERY interested to see them. I had some American money in my pocket so I showed them a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and one dollar bill. Do you know that NONE of our coins tell how much they are worth? Go and check. That must be VERY confusing for foreigners. Anyway, they were very interested in seeing the money, too.

Next we got to wander all over the building to see different classes. I went to a couple of other English classes and some music classes. In the music room three different groups of students were practicing some songs around a piano. They were all singing pretty loudly and yet they were keeping track of the music in their group and, I guess, tuning out the songs of the other two groups.

Then I found a science class. I was particularly interested in seeing that the students were about to do some experiements to test out different objects/materials to see if they conducted electricity. The kids were already sitting at different tables. (The room looked a lot like our science room, but I didn’t see any live animals) and they were going to test the materials in pairs. One of the items they were going to test was a Japanese coin. I offered the teacher a dime, a penny, and a quarter (the only American coins I had left since I left the other money with the English class) and he set up an extra station for the kids to try after they tried the other objects. I told him that MY students were doing (or have already done, or are about to do) the exact same activity while I’m here in Japan. Small world, eh??

Next a group of us got to experience a brief version of a tea ceremony. A group of girls is learning about the particular movements and rituals of a formal Japanese tea ceremony during an after school club. They did a wonderful job and the tea was delicious. We got to wander a little more and then we got escorted to different classrooms to have lunch with a class of students. I was with a very friendly group who helped me to know what I needed to do. One of them even deboned a little fish that was part of the meal. We had a container of rice, a soup with tofu and vegetables in it, and a small seaweed salad. Can you believe it??

After lunch seemed to be a short “free time” – either that or the kids in the classroom where I was were just fooling around! Some were playing a ball balancing game while others juggled. I took out the sets of jacks I brought and showed them how to play. Soon we had jacks and balls going all over the place. I also showed them how to spin the jacks, so then even more jacks were flying around. Do all of you know how to play jacks? We’ll have to try it in the classroom when I get back if you need to learn. It’s a game everyone should know how to play!

Next all of the students went to the gym to perform for us. A girl played one of the traditional instruments – it looks like a long-necked banjo and is played with a very large pick made of ivory.

Other kids (and teachers) performed karate, judo, and the other martial arts sport where you use long poles. I can’t remember what it’s called. (Kendo; the “poles” are bamboo practice swords.) Then we watched (and listened to) three drummers POUNDING on large drums (“taiko”). It sounded wonderful! They asked us to try out the drums and the sports for awhile. You’ll get a kick (pun!) out of seeing me try karate. The students thought it was pretty funny!

The most spectacular performances of all, though, were the choruses. ALL of the students in each grade level participated and their voices were wonderful. I can’t wait for you to hear/see the video I took of it. The twenty of us Americans sang “American the Beautiful” to them. It was not nearly so spectacular…

We met with some of the teachers for a little while and had a chance to ask them more questions before it was time for us to leave. Again the students were waving out the window while we left the school grounds!

On our bus ride back to the hotel, our “group coordinator” (a Japanese translator/tour guide, who has the terrible job of trying to keep 20 American teachers in line) let us know some exciting news. I won’t tell you the news yet, but it involves a newspaper and yesterday’s Enku carvings. I’ll keep you guessing – at least for awhile.

I took a long walk with one of the other teachers before dinner tonight and we discovered a thrift store (!!!!) AND another 100 yen shop. Yes, of course, I bought stuff. I wonder if there is a limit to how much our suitcases can weigh on the way back.

More pictures for October 17
Junior High Performance
Junior High Tea Ceremony
Junior High Classrooms
Junior High Candids