Hello USA!
Today our group of 20 American teachers visited Josai Elementary School. The children were very excited to see us, and in free moments asked us for “autographs.” We felt like rock stars!
We got to watch their Children’s Marching Band (grades 3-6) after school classes let out. If you’ve ever seen a high school or college marching band, you get the idea. There were 50-60 band members and 7 flag squad members. Anyone can join - - there are no auditions. This year’s program is based on “The Sound of Music.” The music was fabulous and the drills were amazing. The children practice their instruments daily, both before classes begin and after school lets out.
We also heard the 91 5th graders, rehearse for a concert coming up in a few weeks. Their performance includes Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue!” The instruments were unexpected: 8-10 keyboards, 14 recorders, a dozen accordions, more than a dozen harmonica keyboards (is this the right name?) and a dozen or so xylophones or vibrophones. It sounded quite orchestral!
Children wearing masks pick up the lunch in large pots. They deliver lunch to their own classrooms. I ate lunch with a 5th grade classroom. For lunch today we had rice, milk, miso soup: tofu, carrot, onion, leek, wakame seaweed and miso (bean paste). We also had what they call “cooked food” – cuttlefish and taro (or satoimo, very similar to potato). It was very yummy, and all children ate it with gusto!
When lunch was over everyone pushed desks to one side, grabbed brooms and cloths, and began sweeping the room and cleaning up after lunch. By this time the teacher had left the room, and the kids did this on their own.
One class made fancifully decorated little clay cakes for an art project. It looked fun, and reminded me of the artwork of Wayne Thiebauld. Maybe we’ll try it when I get back! The second grade class was studying 8 times 5. In reading class, children went up to the front of the room to give readings, act out the story, or quiz their classmates about the plot. This was lots of fun. This school also has built a natural setting between two building wings, including a pond. The children enjoy nature, according to the principal. They also have growing areas around the school, including over a concrete catwalk on the 2nd floor that connects two buildings. Students walk under these hanging vegetables everyday. It is amazing that nobody has picked them or tugged them down! After school let out, a few of us took a taxi to try to find an antique shop. We learned the taxi doors open automatically and close automatically. Our taxi was a Toyota model, about the size as a Camry, that I don\’t believe we have in the U.S. Pretty cool.
Tomorrow we visit a junior high school. Good luck, 4th graders, on your preparation for your upcoming performance! I’m glad I’ll be back in Maine to see your performance!
Go Red Sox!
2 responses so far ↓
1
Laurie Aportria
// Oct 25, 2007 at 5:12 am
Audrey,
We have enjoyed your daily reports. The kindergarteners are fascinated by the time difference. They love hearing what you did during the night and knowing that you are sleeping during their day. For some of them it is the first time they realized we share the sun with the rest of the world. I asked the class if they had any questions for you. They were very practical. They wanted to know if you liked the food and if your pillow was soft. They want you to continue to have fun, but they miss you a lot!
Have a great day (or night!)
Laurie
2
Audrey Grumbling
// Oct 25, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Hello Kindergarten!
I really like almost all of the food. It has been a litttle bit scary trying new things, but I love almost everything I try. There isn’t much dessert here, but the tiny desserts are very yummy. There is fresh fruit in our hotel every day. I like the pineapple and very, very large grapes a lot. The chips and candy are all different. I will check on my pillow, it is soft. There is something unusual about it, and I will ask my translator about it today. So far I have slept in a bed every night. Tomorrow I will go to my host family, and it might be a futon or a bed there. I’ll let you know. It’s great to talk to you!
See you soon!
Mrs. Grumbling
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