October 25

Is it the 25th already? Today we visited the Ikumi elementary school up in the mountains and it was just gorgeous! Plus, there are only 15 students in this school, which definitely provides a close teacher-student relationship. This is a rather unique school, in that it hasn't shut down because the Shimada City mayor and the ministry of education realize the value of this school. It focuses on utilizing the rich environment that surrounds it. The older kids help the younger ones and the younger ones look to the older ones as role models. This also helps develop leadership qualities. It is a k-6 school, then the students attend a Jr. High in town, which can prove to be a difficult transition, similar to when the 8th graders move to 9th grade. Students: why would there be an evacuation area?

This school has a fish hatchery, buckwheat field, silky chickens, gardens and flowers everywhere that the students help take care of together. The school itself is 150 years old, but the building were new about 20 years ago. It had up to 300 students one time too. It is located next to a river, surrounded by the town of Ikumi and tea fields. Students from Shimada city come to this school for field trips and camping. Their were 3 first graders, 7 sixth garders 2 fourth graders and 2 fifth graders (one was sick today). The fourth and fifth graders were together in one room and the 6th and 1st graders their own room. No second grade at this school. About half the kids are bused from Shimada, while the rest live near the area. Parents in Shimada can send their kids here, without additional cost.

I also loved this school because there were maps everywhere you turned (see photos). A teacher was absent, and it was amazing because the students did everything by themselves - no substitute necessary! The students also have a special backpack that they use from 1st - 6th grade. They use the same one all those years, and they cost around 16000 Japanese Yen (how much is that in US dollars?). They are very sturdy and nice. When you think how U.S. students usually will get a new backpack every year, the cost comes out to be the same.

The teachers played a game of prison ball against the students, which was a blast. Before and after each activity - such as class, lunch, or a game, the students line up and express their greetings and thanks. During one recess, I taught some girls a few tricks with the basketball, until they ran away from me screaming towards a boy. I went over there and saw he had gotten his "pet" out. A praying mantis-I assumed it was his pet, and not something he grabbed from outside, but I could be wrong. I took the plunge and had him put it on my arm. Oh, and I asked about the killer hornets, and our interpreter said they were just up the hill from where we were. They are about 3 inches long....eeeks!

We had another delicious lunch where everyone chipped in to serve and clean up. After clean up, was a school-wide clean up during homeroom. All the students clean the rooms and common areas - vaccuum, dust, wash, etc! They did this at the Jr. High as well. I am starting to naturally grab chopsticks as though it were a fork. The food was some fish, soup and vegetables with milk to drink and a piece of walnut bread. Mmmmmm

The school finally showed us their operetta, where all the school kids particiapted. It was taped, then played in front of the kids, where they did a brainstorming session after to improve it as there was an upcoming competition.

We also learned Ikebana flower arrangement, which is quite complicated for something that looks simple. To find out more, go here: http://www.ikebanahq.org/whatis.html I was provided with all the materials and instruction...it was quite fun!

The air was so crisp, with pines and tall bamboo everywhere, and the crystal clear river water made this school so cozy. What a cool place to go to learn!

Well, off to a high school tomorrow, then an overnight visit on Saturday with a host family. The mom is the vice-principal of that high school and the dad is a government official in Shizouka City. I am actually going to another town 30 miles away called Fujiata. Fun, fun!

Students: try to look at the photos from today and come up with the different geographical regions you see.

Later, kw