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Published: August 28th 2011
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Well I survived my first week at school intact, and Friday was my first day at elementary school (age 6-11) with the little ones. I had a small introduction in assembly, taught my introductory lesson to the 5th and 6th year at the first school, then they had a swimming gala, so I spent two hours sat in the sunshine cheering the cute little kids on as they did timed lengths. It was so tempting to jump in the pool too! After lunch with the 1st year elementary (so cute!), I had to dash for a 10 minute drive to my next elementary school near the junior high school, for two more afternoon lessons. It is a pain being split between the two schools in one day, but thankfully it is only roughly one day a month, the other weeks I'm either only at the bigger elementary, or at junior high school. The first elementary is five minutes from my house and such a sweet school. The class sizes are small (10-15 kids as opposed to 30+ at the other two schools), and the teachers are all very friendly.
I have done my introduction lesson so many times now, I
am, quite frankly, totally sick of me! The lessons seem to go ok though and worked fine for all the different ages and abilities. I had a special needs class on Thursday with only three students (all slow learners who need extra help, two 3rd year boys and a 2nd year girl), they are very all very sweet and chatty - the only problem is when they are so keen to chat and I can't understand their Japanese. One kid spent 5 minutes describing a scene from Star Wars to me in minute detail in Japanese, complete with light saber actions!
On Wednesday I asked the art teacher if I could sit in on her class during my free period. She was really happy for me to go along - and I'm so glad I did. The kids (3rd years) were really surprised to see me there. The teacher gave me a desk with the students and I did the same lesson as them (design a poster about your summer holidays - I did a picture of me with my boyfriend having a picnic by the river). The kids were very curious to see what I drew and came
up to look and admire my picture. It was really nice to see their pictures too. I thoroughly enjoyed being in the class and hope I can do it again soon. I'd like to try and sit in on other classes, but bit scared if I go to math I might have to do some (never my strong point!).
I also braved karate again and think I've improved (marginally!). Decided to stick with it a bit longer in the hope it will inject some co-ordination into my system.
I also went to see "The Tree of Life" at the local cinema in Iida with some friends on Saturday. It was good to locate the cinema and see what it was like (small and pretty empty - we were the only three people in the small theatre). The cost of the cinema ticket was pretty steep - about £15, and to be honest, the film was pretty tedious. Will keep an eye out for any movies I really want to see, but don't think I'll be going too regularly at that price.
After the movie we met up with some other teachers and went to a bar for
a drink. Iida city isn't exactly a bustling metropolis. Friday and Saturday night are more like a Sunday - hardly anyone around. I think the whole of the Iida area and surrounding villages are pretty much populated by either the elderly or couples with families. Younger people in their twenties and early thirties are few and far between.
Resolution for the coming weeks: I must stop visiting the 100 yen shop in Iida. It is so much better than the UK pound shop - the quality is more like IKEA, and I keep going in and buying random stuff as it is all so cool! I'll end up frittering my salary in 1oo yens if I'm not careful.
Oh and today, sorting out a washing line in my very small patio, I met a resident spider who lives by my shed. He is about 10 cm wide and very colourful. Bit scary looking but hopefully he'll keep the mozzies in check!
Low point of the week - attempting to use my microwave for the first time to defrost a curry dinner I cooked the week before......not sure what I did wrong but I managed to melt the
tuperwear tub and my kitchen smelt of burnt plastic for ages 😞 However, for dessert, melon icelolly with chololate chips for melon pips - officially my favourite lolly ever.
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Lucy Edwards
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School sounds good! I'm not sure I like the look of your neighbour, Mr Kumo!! But as long as he remains your neighbour rather than your housemate!