Itabashi City Akatsuka the first Junior High School

Last school day again-----sort of------however, we are STARS again. Whole school assembly to meet us ---- my adoring fans!!!! We finished with school visitation today by going to junior high school. Itabashi City Akatsuka the first Junior High School is the oldest junior high in Itabashi. The building was very large, but it only had 587 kids. Far smaller than Chisholm Trail Middle School. These kids liked us and wanted to show off, talk at times and know more about us. In short, these kids are very much like the ones I teach everyday. They are funny, warm and very nervous at times about using their English. Girls are hung up on boys or not and boys are just really concerned about sports, the world cup in particular. No autographs today, but LOTS of interaction.

It is really funny to think of English as a foreign language, but that is what it is over here. These kids had the benefit of a native laguage instruction, John from New Zealand to help them with reading and conversation in English. John is part of a teaching team with a Japanese teacher that moves class to class each period working with students to improve their verbal skills in English. Remember kids don't change rooms, the teacher change each period.

In addition to English as a foreign language, students also take math, Japanese, social studies, integrated studies, physical education and depending on grade level, art and music. Ninth graders get to take an elective like dress-making, woodshop, metal smithing, art or music. It was fun to see them all working on VERY detailed and high-quality products during their elective time.

Lunch was served in the classroom by the students. Check out their great serving outfits. We had sobu noodles, squid and fish tempura, cherry tomatoes and milk. Very tasty. My class wanted to practice their English and hear about America and Texas. It was really fun!

At the end of the day, there is time to clean and then onto club activities much like the high school we visited yesterday. Students worked to clean the school building and then went to club activities or to study as they have a test next week. We experienced a tea ceremony again today along with kendo in looking at club activities. We also experienced the Tokyo newspapers sending a photographer to get candid pictures of all of us - maybe Mr. Demille really will give me a close-up? Think so? The day concluded with discussion with teachers on our thoughts about Japanese education and their school in particular.

Several of us went looking in a different part of Itabashi this evening and worked our way down a street we called Kabuki Street because of the Kabuki themed banners on the poles. Some bought storybooks in Japanese. Imagine Hansel and Gretel in Japanese. Looking for a place to eat was a fun because some in our little group want to see wax food before they order, some only want chicken and several don't want their food to look back at them. Picky, picky, picky. We finally settled on a place that was a cross between Denny's and ?????. Ordering madness ensued becuase one in our party wanted to substitute a baked potate for french fries. We found out tonight that substitution is evidently NOT part of Japanese culture. It was really funny to see us try and work this out and when the plate came, it really did have what she wanted!

Tomorrow I move onto my home visit. We meet our families at city hall and venture into the Japanese unknown. I will be without internet service for a couple of days, so check back on Sunday morning to see how my home stay went. I may have ALOT to tell.

Til Sunday.

Tim-