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Students
are ready to learn at Nissho Elementary!
Wednesday, June 25 -
During the rest of this week
we visited schools in Asahikawa. They were Nissho Elementary,
Nagayama Junior High, and Asahikawa Hokuto Senior High
School. Each of these schools were unique in their own
ways. You can see highlights of my visit to these schools by
clicking on their links above. Below are other observations I
made at the schools. At all of the schools we were
welcomed with open arms. We were made to feel very special by
all of the students, teachers and staff. We want to thank our
school hosts for their gracious hospitality and for sharing
with us their ideas and teaching methods. I hope someday to
return the favor.
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We were welcomed at each school in
a gracious way. This sign greeted us at the door to
Nissho Elementary. |
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Nagayama School's greeting to us
was created by a staff member. All of our names were
printed out on the left with artwork in the middle and
the name of the school on the left. |
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Many schools in Japan require their
students to wear uniforms. Nissho Elementary did not
require them, but both Nagayama Jr. High and Asahikawa
Hokuto did. Also, most of the students attend school by
riding bicycles as these Nagayama students did. |
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I was very impressed by the
activities and lessons we saw at each school. Here you
see third graders practicing their English at Nissho
Elementary School. |
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Each school was very inviting in
its own way. Here you see some origami and other
colorful decorations hanging from the ceiling of a first
grade class at Nissho Elementary. |
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The students at all three schools
showed many creative talents. Here you see a handmade
mask made by a student at Nagayama Junior High School.
We were very lucky there, before we left we each were
given a mask similar to this one. I could not wait to
share mine with my students and fellow teachers back
home! |
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At both Nissho and Nagayama Schools
we were taught Japanese character writing. There are
many kanji to learn, so it takes years to master
them.
The students begin this at an early age and continue to
learn the characters throughout their schooling. |
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In all of the schools we visited we
found that the teachers have their own room (usually
very large) which is where they have their teacher desk
and store much of their files and materials. The
teachers begin and end their workdays here, meeting with
their principals here as well. Teachers days are long
days, beginning before 8:00 a.m. and ending sometimes
after 5:00 p.m. |
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At the end of each visit we were
able to dialog with the teachers and administration of
each school. We exchanged questions about educational
policies such as how discipline is handled or special
education programs, etc. We also discussed school
calendars, special programs, curriculum goals, and much
more! We thoroughly enjoyed this exchange! |
Each of the links below takes you to a
page showing highlights from each of the individual schools we
visited. These school visits were great and we felt we gained
a lot from them. I am hoping for myself and my students to
keep in touch with Nissho Elementary School since my school is
elementary also. This has been a very rewarding experience!
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