Feelin' Groovy

Today was a blast. We spent the day with students at an elementary school in Eniwa, Hokkaido. Being with these warm, vibrant students reminded me of my own fantastic students back in MN. I think both groups of kids would like each other alot. This was the class and teacher that ate lunch with me today. We communicated alot through smiles and gestures.

Anyhoo, a couple of interesting facts:


FYI #1: Elementary classroom teachers teach all subjects including music and art in Japan. The classes were preparing for an upcoming concert, and the classroom teachers worked together to make music happen. The students played marimba (think large xylophone), a keyboard that attaches to a hose that you blow into to make the instrument work, the accordian (S. Brown, you would have loved it), and the old favorite, the recorder. It was fun to watch the students in action.

FYI #2: Children choose their recess activities and just go and do them. There is little if any supervision as the children play instruments or read inside or as they play soccer or ride unicycles (of which they have a shedful)! Wow!