Japan US Exchange Day 6: Omuta

Today we visited two different schools here in Omuta City. The first school we went to was Yoshino Elementary School where Mr. Nakamura teaches, he is also part of the teacher exchange program. Then we visited Takuma Junior High School. This area has seen and will continue to see significant growth and development due to the opening of a Shinkansen station (Shinkansen is the Japanese bullet train) in the local community.

When we arrived at Yoshino Elementary we were greeted warmly but the principal and staff.  We began the day at Yoshino learning about Education for Sustainable Development initiatives in Japan and specifically at the school.

The students gave us tour through the school and showed us some of the amazing things they are doing with education for sustainable development such as the Biotope.

Also, the students have a garden they tend. The students are working with the local community to plant Sakura (cherry) trees around the school. At one time there were more than 80 cherry trees and the students have a goal to replenish them.

Nearly all schools, including elementary schools in Japan have a swimming pool. Students do swimming 3 days a week as part of the PE curriculum during the summer months.

Students in the school also take English. Below you can see their book for English that they use. The students asked us their interview question for the day and had an opportunity to practice with us.

I am so  impressed with the writing. Writing in the symbols of Kanji and Katakana is most definitely an art. Students practice the symbols daily. Today they were learning the Kanji symbol for growth. There is a very specific path to creating each of the more than 2000 characters that these students are exposed to in school.

We also had a special treat today as we got to eat lunch with the students. In Japan students eat in the classroom with the teacher. The lunch is prepared in the school kitchen and then brought to the classroom by students. I was most impressed by the efficiency of the students.

In the kitchen, after lunch, this is apparently what was not eaten by the more than 500 students at the school. As you can see students ate nearly everything that was served to them.

Later in the afternoon the entire school takes 15 minutes and cleans the hallways and their learning spaces. Students sweep and mop the floors of the classrooms, hallways, and stairs. I was impressed by this as the students did this enthusiastically. The classroom is their learning space and they seemed to have a genuine desire to care for it.

Later in the afternoon we went to Takuma Junior High School. In Japan elementary school is 1st grade – 6th grade and junior high is 7th through 9th.

After being greeted by the principal and his staff we were invited to see one of the grade levels presenting speeches to their classmates. Notice that all of the students are wearing uniforms. All junior high students wear uniforms in Japan. One of the things that stood out to me was the straight and neat rows as all students listened to their classmates.

After touring this school we were invited to stay around for their extra-curricular activities. Approximately 70% of the students stay after school for these club activities which include music, art, soccer, baseball and as you see above Kendo or Japanese fencing.