Day 39: Training
This morning I had breakfast with Yuki, Yumi and Mrs. Shinya. Mr. Shinya was still asleep because he had to work a late shift at the emergency room. Mrs. Shinya walked me to the subway station, Karasuma Oike, to make sure I would make it to school alright. I like being able to use the public transportation on my own. It is simple getting around once you get used to it. Going to school is usually made even easier by simply following all the Notre Dame Elementary students.
We had a special morning meeting today at school to discuss the swim camp and the training that the teachers must to beforehand. There was a more formal meeting and training scheduled for this afternoon. The morning television broadcast featured the Discovery America students and some video of their experience there. I am glad that their host families showed the students a great time. After the television broadcast it was time for Afrela and I to prepare the lesson materials for today's classes.
Afrela Sensei and I taught the first grade classes during hours three, four, and five. Overall, the lesson was similar to Monday's: songs, greeting, study family members, short drama, story sequencing, etc. It is a lot of fun working with the younger students. They are all so joyful and happy to participate in whatever activity we have planned. It doesn't matter how you feel when you enter the classroom, after a couple minutes you will be smiling, laughing, and enjoying the light in the eyes of the little people.
Lunch today was awesome. We had a spicy shrimp stir-fry and rice. Usually Japanese foods are not spicy, but the shrimp had a nice kick to it. Still, I long for some Mexican food. Sister Beatrice drops in the lunchroom from time to time to keep the kids in order and remind them of the type of behavior that is appropriate for the lunchroom. Today she basically told the students that they should not talk while they are eating. As a result, the lunchroom was very quiet today.
The students were released early today so the teachers could attend an informational meeting regarding the swimming camp in the Mie prefecture. We went over the daily schedule of the trip to the sea and discussed the responsibilities of the teachers. As I mentioned yesterday, the event is taken very seriously and is a large burden for the teachers to bear. Sister Beatrice is the kind of person who, with a short motivational speech, can turn the burden and pressure of such events into a honorable challenge which the teachers should rise up to. The swimming itself is very well organized. The students will be swimming in rows and each student has an assigned place within the group. Each teacher who is swimming, myself included, has an assigned place beside the students to swim. Each classroom teacher had us note the students which may require a closer eye during the event. Looking at the schedule I can see that there are two practice swims within the bay area, and then the final swim is in fact out in the sea! I am excited to face the challenge with the students and have started swimming regularly to prepare. All of the teachers went up to the pool after the meeting to start practicing.
The Shinya's told me that they wouldn't be home until around six o'clock, so I went for a walk through the downtown area. I walked through the Nishiki market and to the shopping areas near the other end. There are so many shops there it is crazy. I wanted to buy some new shoes, so I checked out a few places. As you may have guessed, they didn't have my size. I think it was good for me to walk the streets where all of the younger people seemed to be hanging out and shopping. I am definitely going back there before I leave Kyoto.
When I arrived at home I had to quickly change my shirt before heading out to eat with the Shinya's. It is so humid here that is doesn't take long to soak the shirt on your back. For dinner we went to another of the Kushihachi restaurants nearby. All of the food is so good at these restaurants and the families who take me make sure I get my fill. I think the best was the cheese wrapped in bacon and grilled...ooishi! The Shinya's are fun people to be with, especially the father. He has this sort of youthful cheer and humor that lightens up any occasion. Walking home I checked the time and it was 10:15pm, but there were still many children around in their school uniforms! The students we saw were heading home from their ju ku, or cram school. It is purely madness. Back home I shared my photo album and then went to bed.
We had a special morning meeting today at school to discuss the swim camp and the training that the teachers must to beforehand. There was a more formal meeting and training scheduled for this afternoon. The morning television broadcast featured the Discovery America students and some video of their experience there. I am glad that their host families showed the students a great time. After the television broadcast it was time for Afrela and I to prepare the lesson materials for today's classes.
Afrela Sensei and I taught the first grade classes during hours three, four, and five. Overall, the lesson was similar to Monday's: songs, greeting, study family members, short drama, story sequencing, etc. It is a lot of fun working with the younger students. They are all so joyful and happy to participate in whatever activity we have planned. It doesn't matter how you feel when you enter the classroom, after a couple minutes you will be smiling, laughing, and enjoying the light in the eyes of the little people.Lunch today was awesome. We had a spicy shrimp stir-fry and rice. Usually Japanese foods are not spicy, but the shrimp had a nice kick to it. Still, I long for some Mexican food. Sister Beatrice drops in the lunchroom from time to time to keep the kids in order and remind them of the type of behavior that is appropriate for the lunchroom. Today she basically told the students that they should not talk while they are eating. As a result, the lunchroom was very quiet today.
The students were released early today so the teachers could attend an informational meeting regarding the swimming camp in the Mie prefecture. We went over the daily schedule of the trip to the sea and discussed the responsibilities of the teachers. As I mentioned yesterday, the event is taken very seriously and is a large burden for the teachers to bear. Sister Beatrice is the kind of person who, with a short motivational speech, can turn the burden and pressure of such events into a honorable challenge which the teachers should rise up to. The swimming itself is very well organized. The students will be swimming in rows and each student has an assigned place within the group. Each teacher who is swimming, myself included, has an assigned place beside the students to swim. Each classroom teacher had us note the students which may require a closer eye during the event. Looking at the schedule I can see that there are two practice swims within the bay area, and then the final swim is in fact out in the sea! I am excited to face the challenge with the students and have started swimming regularly to prepare. All of the teachers went up to the pool after the meeting to start practicing.
The Shinya's told me that they wouldn't be home until around six o'clock, so I went for a walk through the downtown area. I walked through the Nishiki market and to the shopping areas near the other end. There are so many shops there it is crazy. I wanted to buy some new shoes, so I checked out a few places. As you may have guessed, they didn't have my size. I think it was good for me to walk the streets where all of the younger people seemed to be hanging out and shopping. I am definitely going back there before I leave Kyoto.
When I arrived at home I had to quickly change my shirt before heading out to eat with the Shinya's. It is so humid here that is doesn't take long to soak the shirt on your back. For dinner we went to another of the Kushihachi restaurants nearby. All of the food is so good at these restaurants and the families who take me make sure I get my fill. I think the best was the cheese wrapped in bacon and grilled...ooishi! The Shinya's are fun people to be with, especially the father. He has this sort of youthful cheer and humor that lightens up any occasion. Walking home I checked the time and it was 10:15pm, but there were still many children around in their school uniforms! The students we saw were heading home from their ju ku, or cram school. It is purely madness. Back home I shared my photo album and then went to bed.
posted by Ryan Harkins at 11:55 p.m.
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