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ShizuokaToday I got to visit my first school, Nanbu Elementary School. I definitely had the first day of school jitters. Thank goodness I had the Satake family with me. They helped me feel more comfortable and they were excellent translators. We started our day off in a 6th grade classroom where we got to watch a math lesson. Then some of the 6th graders were kind enough to show us around the school. The school is made up of 1st-6th graders. There are two classes per grade. We got a more in depth tour with the principal. During this time we got to see a music class, a 2nd grade calligraphy class, a 4th grade PE class where they played dodgeball (don’t tell my husband), and a 1st grade class where they were making decorations for a recent festival. Then it was time for the part I was most nervous about my presentation about school in the USA. It’s funny - I stand in front of kids all year long and feel no nerves (well some), but today my voice was shaky and I had butterflies in my belly. Again big shout out to the Satake family for being there to support me. After my presentation it was time for lunch, which I was very interested in seeing. Students here in Japan serve each other lunch. The students were so polite and responsible, I was quite impressed. On the menu today was noodles with a vegetable medley, soup with chicken, cabbage and carrots, a meat patty, and bread with jam. The school was kind enough to allow me to have lunch with the 6th graders. Sadly, I had to eat around some of the food because I am a vegetarian but it was still delicious. Something I found so cool that the students do is if there are leftovers and there is not enough for everyone. Students who want them go out into the hall and play rock, paper, scissors, shoot to determine who gets them. There was no arguing! You can really tell at Nanbu that they take pride in teaching students to be kind and respectful to one another. When lunch was all done it was time to clean! All students are broken up into different cleaning groups. The students work together to clean up the WHOLE school. This was incredible. There was no fussing they got right to work and did their jobs. Break time. Since it was so hot today the students had 10 minutes for outside time. While outside I joined a big group of students playing dodgeball. This was no ordinary game of dodgeball! To finish the day the students had PE. At Nanbu they don’t have PE teachers. Instead all of the 6th grade teachers go with them to the gym and either monitor or get involved in the activities. I had a lot of fun going around the different stations and playing the different games. This was a totally different experience than a PE class in the states. To finish the day myself and the Satakes taught the 6th graders how to play “Simon Says!” This was so fun and the students had a blast. I feel very grateful and lucky to have had this experience at the Nanbu school. Please note I was very much in the moment that I did not take that many photos, I also wanted to be respectful of all students and teachers.
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