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Published: November 22nd 2006
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School Grounds
Look how immaculate this is. We continued our school visits and today we went to a junior high school. The students were much shyer with us at first. They seldom spoke to us first, but were excited when asked a question or just spoken to. The students were assigned homerooms and the teachers moved from class to class after each period. During this time, the students were completely free to do or say anything they wanted. Teenagers being teenagers, the rowdy boys and a few girls quickly got together and started messing around. The others talked in smaller groups and some students just stayed by themselves reading, getting ready for the next class, or working around the room either sweeping or cleaning the board. But as soon as the teacher stepped into the classroom, everyone quickly found their seat and silence came almost immediately. They were ready for class to start.
Making several stops, the students were always curious to check us out. For some, it was the first time seeing Americans in person. Whether it was my gotee, another guy’s completely shaved head, another guy being African-American, or a lady walking by with her pen in-between her teeth because her hands were
Staff Workroom
This is where the teachers' work desks are. Every teacher has a desk in here and maybe that's why it looks so cluttered. full, we surely got their attention each time we walked by. Even through the giggles, you could tell we were welcomed. In Japan, you can expect this.
During lunch, I visited my assigned classroom again and for the first several minutes there was an awkward silence. Finally, the class leader(class clown) became vocal but nothing was directed to me. I tried to ask questions to the students in my group, but the boys spoke very little English and the girls were too shy. With tennis courts outside my window, I thought I would ask about sports. Several of them played volleyball and I asked the class leader what he played and he answered basketball. He later asked me about the NBA. He started naming names like Kobe, O’Neal, Iverson, and Carter. When he mentioned Vince Carter, I explained how he played at UNC and how I was from North Carolina. He liked that along with the other boys. Finally it ended on the one name it should end with, Jordan. They all agreed he was number 1.
With most of the loud boys gone to free play, the girls finally had the chance to ask me
How Good Are Your Eyes??
This is the Japanese eye chart. We walked by the infirmary and I couldn't pass this by. their questions. They asked me if I liked to read and of course I asked them about Harry Potter. They didn’t seem to understand so they asked me how many books I had. A lot was my answer, but I told them around 400. I still don’t think they understood. I asked them their names and I stumbled over pronouncing their names correctly but they laughed along with me. We talked for a long time until free play was over. I had them teach me the numbers 1 - 10, but I’m afraid I forgot them already. I did have them write down the numbers for me.
That afternoon, we had the chance to observe one more period. Several of us went to PE again to play volleyball. First thing this morning, we played volleyball with the boys, but they played the rule that it could bounce once and then hit it. However, this afternoon we played volleyball with the girls and they were good. They were setting each other up for shots and I think my arm is still black and blue. They played by the rules and it was impressive to think these girls were not
Art Class??
This was an art class. They had at least three saws and students were using each one. They didn't have eye protection on and it seemed like everyone was doing their own thing. even in high school yet. That was when we learned that their high school has won the national championship the last three years. I believe it.
Later we had a round table discussion with a few teachers. It is always interesting when an interpreter is needed. Finally we went back to our assigned rooms to say good-bye, but the school was in the middle of clean up. This was impressive. Every student was working somewhere. The students cleaned the rooms by moving desks and scrubbing floors and chalkboards. Other students were out in the landscape, raking and watering plants, in which they have hundreds. More students were sweeping the cement walkways outside. Some students were wearing rubber gloves and cleaning the bathrooms. Students were also sweeping the steps and scrubbing the sinks. Intense but yet the students enjoyed it all. They seemed to take great pride in their school’s appearance and I just tried my best to capture what I saw with my camera. But even pictures can’t bring some things to life.
I had another great day. I enjoyed the elementary school better, but that is where my heart is. Tomorrow we are sight-seeing and
Learning my Japanese Numbers
With help from these girls, I tried to learn my numbers 1 - 10 in Japanese. They were patient with me as I struggled through them. then on Friday we will visit a high school. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and I’ll see you soon.
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