Some Things are the Same

Yes, many things in Japan are different from what you may be used to. That doesn’t make it weird or strange. It simply means it is different – and, if you ask me, some of those differences are pretty cool!

Some things, however, are the same for kids in Japan and at LPES in Monument, Colorado. Come with me to Mifunegaoka Elementary School in my host city, Takeo. I’ll show you what I mean.


When a visitor enters the school they need to sign their name in the guest book and wear a name badge so everyone knows who they are.


There are maps hanging on the walls. Most of them have Japan placed in the middle. This is the United States on the right hand side of the map.


The younger kids do projects on School Helpers. Learn more about the Lunch Ladies.


I found lots of student art on the walls.



They go on field trips too!


I was there on the day they had eye exams.


Please notice the cubbies. Nothing on the floor! Wouldn't that make walking in the halls easier? Hint, hint.


In class, kids use “thinking maps” to keep their ideas organized.


Oooops. I found some messy desks.


I went into the library and I found two of my favorite books! Mrs. Waldmann has these in our library but you may have them at home too.



Here is the class pet.


I found first graders with their P.E. teacher doing stretches before a game.


Do you know what struck me as the biggest similarity between LPES and school in Japan?
Happy, friendly and welcoming children.

Halloween in Japan, Japan in Halloween

I returned back to Colorado the day before Halloween. Before I left I had to make sure my kids were set for the big day. We drove to a million stores looking for 'just the right' costume. Contrary to what you may think, the selection was not so great on October 2nd. J-Dude decided on the alien costume we saw at the first store so we went back to get it. Miss G, on the other hand, was just not finding a costume that "spoke" to her. (My suggestion of "How about you be the girl that answers the door and gives out candy to trick or treaters?" wasn't well received.) I left for Japan with a costume-less daughter.

I was suprised that in Japan I saw Halloween decorations for sale in the stores and beautiful Halloween window displays featuring orange, black and pumpkins. Check out my Japanese friend since childhood, Hello Kitty.

In light of the season, one of the things I brought to my host family were Halloween straws, pencils and trick or treat candies. The kids were a buzz of excitement because they had learned about Halloween at school! The girls told me they like the colors and characters. They wanted to know exactly how trick or treating works. If you have never tried to explain the concept of trick or treating to someone from another culture, believe me - it sounds very odd.

Check out Grandmother, "obaatyann" and Tomonari with their Halloween theme straws. Tomo quickly found out that when you blow into it it can double as a whistle.


This was a typical scene when I was at my wonderful host family's home. The girls, Koko and Shuko, using an electronic Japanese-English translator with BlowPops in their mouth.


Apparently Miss G's costume issue wasn't resolved while I was away. Miss G still had no costume when I returned. As I was unpacking my suitcase, however, she saw something that "spoke" to here. A Kennedy Kimono. My friend, Yukiko-san, just happens to be a kimono teacher. She created a book for me called Easy Way of Kimono Wrapping - Special Version for Melinda I followed it step by step. It was easy! Thank you Yukiko!

Feel the Beat

I dedicate this post to Mrs. Eversole, who loves taiko drumming.

Taiko drums are traditional japanese drums. In the olden days - and I mean old, Japan has been around for thousands of years longer than the United States - the edge of a village was marked by the furthest point from which the village taiko could be heard. During times of war, taiko drums were used to motivate troops, help set a marching pace and even communicate orders.

In my host city, Takeo, there were posters all over for a street festival. We went. I was excited because the main event was a taiko drum troop. This is what caught my attention first. The BIG drums.


There were two size drums in this group. These are littler snare drums.


As the men played they worked hard and were sweating. We were right up close. I could feel the sound in my chest! Can you?


For the last song the musicians wore a traditional japanese loin cloth called "fundoshi". Fundoshi may look odd to you, but it allowed the drummers to move around very easily as they preformed. The largest taiko drum was being played from both sides!


The next day I went to Takeo Middle School and got a taiko lesson. They teach many of traditional instruments at this middle school. First I played the snare drum.



Then I got a lesson on the big drum.


I'd like a taiko drum at my house. I could use it to let Miss G and J-Dude that it is dinner time...or if Mr. Jim is at the grocery store I could use it to let him know I forgot to put milk on the list. To earn KenYen check out how to make a modern day taiko drum.

School Assemblies

I like Pride Day. We all gather in the gym, share school news and sit respectfully. In general, I think LPES does a good job quieting down quickly and sitting while keeping hands to ourselves. The Japanese have school assemblies too. They all gather in the gym but the way they sit and behave is a bit different. Each student has an assigned seat in neat rows. This is the high school assembly. This is the middle school assembly. Check out this short video of the entire elementary school bowing then sitting. You are looking at 730 students, almost twice the size of LPES. The teacher says one word and the kids are silent and still. No whispering. They sit on their knees with their hands on their laps. No quiet goofing around.
How do they learn this? The teaching begins very early. I visited a kindergarten. This is what their assembly looked like. When a child was wandering a teacher brought him back. When a child wasn't sitting in a straight line the teacher picked her up and moved her. At the elementary school, we were treated to a musical performance featuring the entire sixth grade. Since there was no formal music teacher at this school a classroom teacher was asked to do the job. .When they were on stage I surveyed the quiet crowd and saw what the kids on stage left behind - shoes and recorder cases. I enjoyed the respectful assembly groups in Japan. To earn KenYen read this artice about the most common way to sit in Japan. If you look at the photos you'll see most kids are sitting this way.

Milk Cartons

The Japanese are very into recycling. Mr. Reed and student counsel would be proud! They may want to consider the following.

I ate lunch my new friend Yumi and her fifth grade class. When I went to throw my empty milk carton in the trash, Yumi started to chirp at me in Japanese. Clearly I was doing something wrong and she gave me a lesson on recycling.

First we rinsed out the milk carton.


Then we unfolded it. She pointed to this sign showing me what to do. We didn't do the scissor part. We just ripped it.
>

We stacked them neatly on the bin - well except for me. I wanted to show you what a nice job I did unfolding the cart. Don't worry I put it back in the bin when I was done taking this picture. Sloppiness doesn't go over so well in Japan.


Later in the school lobby I found this waiting to be pick up.


There are many ways Japanese schools reduce waste. I hope we can use some of their ideas.

To earn KenYen earn more about school life in Japan. In what ways is school different than LPES?

We Will Never be Hungry

You and I are a good team. When we take trips together I know I can count on you to try new things. You and I know that when we try something new, even if it is strange or unusual, we get a better understanding of the way life is in different places. I sure am glad you and I are hanging out together…. Are you hungry? My stomach is growling too. Let’s get some breakfast. Although we could have cereal, eggs or sausage, we’ll have the Japanese breakfast. We have a sense of adventure. You, my friend, are brave. Natto, a popular Japanese breakfast food, is fermented soybeans. I agree. It is slimy and sticky and smelly. Oh, thanks. I’ll take a small bite. Hummm…. Interesting. It’s lunch time. Let’s look at the plastic food in the windows. Nothing catches my fancy but I’m up for sushi. Does that sound ok to you? Good. Don’t forget to wash your hands on the wet towel then neatly fold it in front of you. No napkins here. At this restaurant, just pick up the dish with the food that interests you. We’ll pay by the plate when we are finished.

You took a plate of squid. If I weren’t allergic I’d choose that too.

May I prepare some green tea for you? First I’ll put in the green tea powder.

Now I’ll add the hot water. Drink your green tea plain. No sugar. No milk.

I’d like a sweet treat. Let’s head to that tea house.I have no clue what this is. You and I are always game for new things so I’m trying it.

Your order is very cute. Thanks for offering me one. Buddha’s head is very yummy and filled with a sweet red bean paste.

At this restaurant we take off our shoes at the door and sit at a low table on tatami mats.

There is not a word of English on the menu. Hummmm…....you have a good idea! Let’s point at the skewered sticks called yakitori in the case and hope for the best.

Our pork and chicken yakitori came with some side dishe -soft tofu, prawns (you can have that. I'm allergic.)and the smallest cucumber - ever- with squid.


Will you take a picture of all of us and our sweet waitress? I hope she had as much fun as we did!


I’m full. I need to go to bed. Good night.