So we were meeting with 3rd and 4th graders, and they had given us an explanation of what class would be like: after a short introduction, we would split into small groups and talk about our countries (in English) for about 20 minutes, before getting a short presentation on Japan from the students. So yesterday I spent half the day (I even stayed late for the first time, haha) trying to figure out what to tell them about America (the sheet suggested including things like traditional clothing, food, dances, etc, which I guess we probably have but the country is just too big to generalize), and settled on preparing some pictures of Georgia (on a map), Southern food, a school bus, and a school lunch. In an effort to make things slightly more interesting, I also made little sheets with the English lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (and a Japanese pronunciation guide in katakana), since they all know the song in Japanese. I also decided to bring my photo album, to show them pictures of my family/house/room (even though you can't see the bed in any of them, oops) and some little American flags I brought with me.
So I had this all prepared this morning and met up with all the other foreigners who were coming, from the Philippines, Nepal, Taiwan, China, and Chile. (When we walked into the first classroom I heard one of the students say 'But they all just look like Japanese people!' because almost all of us were Asian, haha.) When we got to the school they gave us a quick overview of what we'd be doing: for the third graders, we would actually only spend 15 minutes with each class before rotating to the next one, and then for the fourth graders we would just do our introductions and let them ask questions.
As it happened, I didn't use any of the stuff I brought with the third graders. They were just learning English, so all we really did was introduce ourselves with 'Hi, my name is ___' and then we spent the rest of the time playing with toys (like, actually). It was pretty cute because the kids would go get toys (like tops, juggling balls, string for cat's cradle, those things where you try to balance the ball on top) and then demonstrate/teach me how to play with them.
Then we went to the 4th grade class (two of my third grade group members each took one of my hands and escorted me to the next classroom, which was super cute), and they all played us a welcome song on recorders after we came in, which was pretty awesome. Then we split into our groups, and I found out how much of a difference one year can make! While we had really just been playing with the 3rd graders, the 4th graders were actually really interested in us and our countries, which was cool. One little boy asked if I had a boyfriend (haha) and when I said no, a few minutes later he asked if there was anybody I liked, which I thought was adorable. I brought out my pictures and they all crowded around and seemed pretty excited. When I asked if they wanted to learn the English words to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the teacher happened to be nearby and got them to play it on their recorders, though then they all ended up playing instead of singing, haha. But then we did it again so they could sing and they seemed to enjoy it. At the end they gave me the sign they had made with my name on it (so I would know which group to go to), and so I asked if they wanted the pictures I had printed out and they all did, so I gave them to them and then asked them to sign my sign, which they did. :D
And then we split up again for lunch, so that every class could have a visitor. Lunch in Japanese schools is pretty different from what I remember about lunch at my elementary school (though admittedly I remember almost nothing about what lunch was like then, haha). First off, everybody eats the same thing, in the classroom (according to the internet, school lunch is mandatory at most schools). Second, the kids do everything themselves - they have people who are charge of serving the food (who rotate every week or month or something), who wear adorable white jackets and chef hats (and masks, since it's Japan). They wait until everybody has food, then they all say 'Itadakimasu' (thank you for the food) and then start eating. At one point near the end, an announcement came on that I think was something to the effect of 'it's almost the end of lunch, so stop talking and finish eating', and everybody did actually stop talking and just finish eating. Then they put away their trays and dishes all at the back of the classroom, nicely sorted and stacked, and then they all brushed their teeth! Although when I say that they really just kind of halfheartedly scrubbed at their teeth with toothbrushes without toothpaste, but still - they all did it, and for like two minutes (following the announcements again), so I was impressed.
When we left after lunch (after saying lots and lots of byebyes to adorable kids - one of them gave me a handmade bookmark and another one escorted us to the door while holding our hands), they were all in the midst of cleaning the school, which all the students do every day. Definitely different from American schools.
All in all, I had a really good time! I still think little kids make me nervous, and I definitely couldn't do it every day (so much respect for elementary school teachers), but it was a really good experience and I hope I get the chance to do it again sometime. :D
Also, here's a picture of me talking to the 4th graders! Although somebody was taking pictures basically the whole time, apparently they weren't allowed to share pictures with the kid's faces so this is only one I got of today.
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| Probably trying to explain what grits and collard greens are in Japanese and failing miserably. |
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