LATEST LOG ENTRY IS OCTOBER 18 FROM Japan!
LAST DAY IN JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SCROLL TO THE VERY BOTTOM FOR THE LATEST ENTRIES!JG
When the rooster crows on Sunday, Oct. 1, I will be jetting off to Japan as a U.S. Delegate for the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund! I will have a stopover in San Francisco for an orientation meeting of the other 199 Japan Fulbright Memorial teacher delegates like myself. Teachers representing all 50 states were selected as a part of the delegation. We will be stationed in Tokyo for about 8 days before moving on to our special assignments for the remainder of the trip.
I will attach a map of Japan here. If you will notice the island on the far north of the country, you will see my prefecture, or special assignment location. The island is called Hokkaido and I will be in the city of Eniwa, Hokkaido.
If the technology access is available, I will be submitting a daily travel log for my students to read and stay tuned into my travels. Feel free to write back on our CONTACT tab or direct to me at musicaltrees@hotmail.com
stay tuned for details and further adventures from the traveling plant nerd!
Kids, keep the greenhouse clean while I am gone and keep the plants alive! You are so lucky to have Mrs. Houston as your sub while I am away! She is the best!
see you Oct. 23!
DAY 2 ? October 2, 2006
Meeting 200 fellow teachers from every state in the nation was quite the excitement. Everyone seems to be pumped for the Japan experience. Our day in San Francisco consisted of an orientation to our upcoming experience in Japan. They covered everything from JFMF expectations to toilet and bathing etiquette in Japan.
Our hotel, the Sheraton, was located right on San Francisco Bay just a short walk away from the rock jetties facing the sea. The Bay Bridge and Golden Gate could be seen in the far distance. The commercial planes seem to arrive about every 60 seconds flying right in front of me as they prepare to land. There are three other teachers from Georgia in our delegation.
A fine meal was served at the opening reception last night. We are divided into smaller subgroups of 20 where we will soon be assigned to our prefecture across the country. I think I am the horticulture guy here, and most folks seem interested or amused at what I teach.
A good night?s rest was a welcome relief and I rose at 6 this morning to take a nice sunrise walk on the path along the bay. Now we prepare for the 9 hour flight to Tokyo!
OCTOBER 4...
i'm losing track of the days, but i think it is the 4th... crossing the international date line, i lost a day.. but will get in back on the ride home...
the new camera i bought for the trip is not cooperating and the pix are turning out fuzzy.. but will try to attach one of me in front of San Francisco Bay (pointing at the Golden Gate!) just before we flew out on Monday... the food buffets are huge... last night one of the host professors took us out for a real Japanese meal at at restuarant... i ate my first octopus... well not the whole animal, just a teeny tenacle or two... it was spiced up a lot, so that made up for the rubbery texture... i think there'/s still some in my teeth this morning... :)
Oct. 4.
Hi kids! I want you to google these two words! Kyogen and Kabuki.
After an keynote speech by the President of the Institute for Academic Education in Japan, we had extremely interesting presentations on Kyogen and Kabuki. Email me your definitions of these terms and you’ll qualify for 10 boogie bucks if you are correct.
(maybe the pix below will help…?E?E
SNAPSHOT OBSERVATIONS:
• Taxies in Tokyo are extremely clean inside and out… and the drivers wear pressed white shirts and ties.
• Never shake hands upon meeting someone new… bow.
• A Georgia boy can get lost in the Tokyo subway system if not careful… thankfully I had good instructions written down by the friendly lad in the hotel concierge.
• If you ask them people on the street will try to give you directions even if they don’t understand a word you say.
• People never jaywalk in Tokyo. Even if the light is red and there’s no traffic in sight, thousands obey and wait till for the light. Some were tempted, but all waiting.
• Japanese tv is a hoot.
• Baseball is very big here … as are the buffets
• Strange toilets in the hotels here… high tech….many buttons and options… I’ll report back when I figure out what they are for. I’m afraid to try just yet.
See ya Later alligators!
Silence of the Subway
October 6, 2006
Hello.
My name is Kenshin Yomiuri.
I live and I work in Tokyo.
It is my home and the only place I have ever lived.
Each day I ride the subway to my job.
My subways are silent.
There are thousands people are on my subways.
And they are silent.
Everyone knows their destination perfectly.
I sleep.
Others sleep.
Because we work and we work.
No one smiles in my subways.
We wear suits and only dark clothing.
Our blank expressions do not indicate remorse.
If we are not under the sound of headphones
or punching buttons on a cell phone we are sleeping.
Sleeping upright.
It is good.
It is all I know.
And then we travel home.
On the subway. Quietly and efficiently.
It is very clean and my subways are never late.
We are very precise.
I have never been to a meadow.
I have never heard the silence that others write of the mountains..
Is it anything like the silence of my subways?
My name is Kenshin Yomiuri.
I live and I work in Tokyo.
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img style="border: none;" alt="" src="http://www.popehorticulture.com/cutenews/data/upimages/jsquid.JPG" /> 
my camera has gone off the deep end... more tales tomorrow about my twisted tale to find the elusive "Bic Camera" store in the heart of Tokyo to purchase a new one... it involved a subway, a cab, and help from 4 strangers and a camera clerk who luckily spoke some broken English...i had to have a working camera ... so how much did it cost me? i dont' have a clue... the visa bill will tell...
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october 5
GREAT SEMIMARS AND SPEAKERS THUS FAR!
the speakers and presentations so far have been truely awesome...the minister of Japanese Education spoke on the state of the ed. system here... at first he made a point to share all the great strides the Japanese have made in education and why they are obsessed with quality education.... but then he went on to point out a lot of not so flattering statistics like school violence... it has been on the rise ... and some interesting facts/figures on bullying.... and most poignantly the lack of individualily in the average Japanese student... they are so structured to perform well on tests and to comply with the rules that creativity is often overshadowed or suppressed. it was good to hear such an authority recognize this phenonomen of their students overall...
the japanese people are a sophistocated respectful caring lot. it appears that they are at least trying to foster more creativity from the students, as opposed to U.S. students who are on the other end of the spectrum... less disciplined, less structured, highly creative and individualistic ... tho other social woes accompany such... violence/work ethic to name a few... Japanese people work hard and take things more seriously...]
thank you bev wenham for the book, Confucious Lives Next Door... it hits the nail on the head...
no time for spell check or errors!! forgive me!
today:s presenters were equally impressive... high level government officials spoke and shared their view on a wide variety of social issues from education to international politics... more later on that... plus we toured their equivilent of our House of Representatives...
plus yesterdays presentations on the Kyogen and Kabuki was spectacular... it was a small taste of drama and art and its history in this land.... more pix later.... signing off from Kinkos!
tokyo joe
October 8, 2006
GREETINGS STUDENTS!
I have completed the first week of our various Fulbright Memorial trainings this week. It is not Saturday here in Japan. And this Saturday is the only day for the whole 3 weeks where delegates like myself have the day off and are free to tour. I plan to visit the Japan National Garden and Museum as soon as I post this blog.
NOTE: Yesterday ended on a high note even tho the subject matter was quite serious for certain break out sessions. A Summary is below
HIROSHIMO SURVIVORS and PEACE EDUCATON:
This session was extremely moving. I will copy/paste some of my notes below:
Today we will hear from people who experienced the nuclear bomb fallout of Japan on Aug. 6, 1945, either personally or as 2nd generation from their parents
SPEAKER: survivor of the atomic bomb on Japan, Aug. 6, 1945 ; Name: Koji Ikeda – Chairman of Disable Veterans Association in Japan
89 Years old now.
60 years ago, he was 28 and had a small baby. He was holding his son in the backyard where he heard the sound of the B-59 airplane…. Loss my train of thought here as his story was compelling and sensitive… Even at age 89, he was able to share the minute details of this chilling story from that day in 1945. His story was not one of anger or animosity toward the U.S., but more of a call for peace and a message to the world to go to any extremes to avoid another tragedy as this. He went on to encourage the ban of nuclear testing because there is clear evidence there is consequential damages to people as a result of the testing itself. I won’t go into the gruesome details of his speech. But I will say that you could hear a pin drop in the room as he spoke. Again, he was not speaking out of anger, but as a survivor on a mission for peace.
He spoke slow and deliberate and ended his speech with the plea: Rise by the sword, fall by the sword.
When asked if the Japanese people today adequately recognize and mourn this tragedy, his response was “ We are losing ground and the people of Japan today do not have an interest any more to get it in terms of the weight of the event.”
Another speaker for the PEACE IN EDUCATION session was
2nd generation survivor speaker: Ms. Tomoko Yasnagi.
She was a very articulate young woman who spoke in great detail of her experience as a 2nd generation survivor of the fallout. She noted how the survivors like her grandparents were labeled and discriminated against as if they had some contagious disease after the fallout. Ms. Yasnagi is now a high school teacher in Hiroshimo. Each year her students conduct a Peace summit at her high school each. Students give speeches and a presentation contest is held . They once believed if you would fold 1000 paper cranes your illnesses would be cured. Nowadays it has become a thing that symbolisms childrens plea for peace. Since the number of survivors is decreasing they feel it is there duty to pass on their experience to the next generations. They talk not because they have a grudge agains the U.S. ,but to build confident and trust through mutual understanding…so they are developing a project to preserve the memoirs where students read aloud the memoirs of survivors.
Her closing words for the presentation were: “We should expand our wishes for world peace just like the grasses extend their roots on the ground.”
SPEAKER #3:
The final speaker for the PEACE EDUCATION session was Ms. Migiwa Ishitaini
speaking on behalf of her father, a survivor, now deceased. He was opposed to Japan’s role in the war and was a surviving victim of the nuclear fallout. She spoke of his life as a crusader for peace for 50 years after the bomb in 1945. She noted how her family was treated and sometimes harassed for the view of her father, a conscientious objector to the war during the 1940’s and a peace activist afterwards.
She repeatedly apologized for the actions of Japan prior to WWII as an imperialistic and aggressive country which she acknowledges led to their downfall. Again the message was a call for peace not a doctrine of anger toward anyone or country.
NEW LOCATION: ENIWA, HOKKAIDO!
our group of 200 teachers has not divided up into 10 groups of 20. We have now been assigned to 10 different locations across the country... My group arrived today via jet to Eniwa City, Hokkaido. This area is the island on the northernmost end of Japan. So far it is really cool. This week we will visit and tour elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and one university. During each visit we will meet directly with students, staff and parents. I have volunteered to give a short speech after our high school visit on Wednesday. Each day a person from our U.S. group gives a speech of appreciation to our hosts at that school. I will do my best to mix in some of my very limited Japanese language as i thank them for their hospitality.
This instrument is a Japanese tradition called a shamisen which means "3 strings" The owner is a man who accompanies a group of street juggler/entertainers who were fantastic. When i asked him about the instrument, he offered me to play it... which i did! it has a very eerie tradtional oriental sound... it's time to check Ebay to see if i can find my own shamisen!
i love this picture which was actually taken in the heart of Shimbusa at a botanical garden. Shimbusa is the most highly developed architectural display of modern skyscrapers and classy shops I have ever seen. It puts Rockefeller Center to shame! Extremely modern. On our only day off, i took the subways to visit 2 major gardens of Tokyo, the National Garden and Hama Rikyu Gardens. After 3 days of rain, it was great to have a beautifully clear fall day full of sunshine.
This is a picture of our Eniwa tour guide, Keiko. She will be our guide for the next 8 days as we tour schools. she is teaching us basic Japanese phrases in Japanese that we can use in the schools. she is very patient!
These sweet Japanese students gave us a concert today on the Koto, a multi-stringed instrument... they were quite good!HEY KIDS! the first student who can tell me what this Japanese calligraphy symbol translates into will win big prizes! 10 boogie bucks and control of the classroom music for a day, and a free horticulture T-shirt!... you may have to do a little research, but it does have a good meaning! email me your answer!
October 11, 2006
Our schedule has been so busy that I have gotten behind in my travel log! Ill try to make it up here!
After the flight from Tokyo, our group of 20 arrived here in Eniwa City, Hokkaido. We are now in a more rural area although the large city of Sappora is only 30 miles away. It is beautiful here!
We began our Monday morning with a very formal meeting of public officials. We met for about an hour with the Mayor, the School Board Superintendent, and the Vice Mayor. We met in a large conference room where we were received a gracious welcome. Thankfully, we have a wonderful interpreter named Yumi. After some words of welcome from the mayor and the superintendent, the meeting turned into a question and answer session where we learned many things about the Japanese educational system. They were very candid in their answers to our questions. Our hosts were very hospitable and seemed to be truly honored that we were visiting their city and schools. We were equally honored and soon said our farewells to them.
Next we had a tour of a blacksmiths shop. But this was no ordinary blacksmith. At 73, this man is a national hero in Japan because he is famous for his work in producing custom agricultural hand tools. He has received many awards for his fine craftsmanship and talent. We were amazed at his artistic skills and he demonstrated the methods he makes gardening tools from raw iron. See the photos here of his craft. He was a warm soul and gave each member of our delegation a hand made horseshoe as a gift.
Next, on Tuesday, October 10, we were received with open arms at the Hokkaido University of Education in Sapporo. Here, we met in the office of the University President for a warm reception. After that we were treated to a great presentation about the school by some the professors. After that we met about 20 Japanese college students of the university. We met with them informally and had a great time exchanging ideas on everything from school life to their personal lives. Some of them did not speak English, but all of them spoke better English that I spoke Japanese! See picture attached. This university at Sapporo is their finest school for training teachers, which made this interactive visit so meaningful. The university has 5 campus with an enrollment of 5734 students.
Education is a top priority in Japan. They have 90 national universities, 50 local universities and over 200 private universities. They have a very low drop out rate from high school.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006 OUR FIRST DAY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS!
This was the most exciting day so far in Japan. Upon entering the school building, we were directed to leave our shoes and change into slippers. how cool is that! First we had an introductory meeting with the school principal and administrators for a local middle school in Eniwa. We received a very warm reception and then they gave us free run of the school for the whole day! We were encouraged to float through the schools and drop in any classes where we were free to observe or interact with the students. The students were extremely friendly and glad to meet each of us.
Japanese middle schools are very well disciplined and orderly. Listed below are some facts and observations that I found interesting:
1. They have 6 fifty minute classes with a 10 minute recess between each class.
2. Once the bell rings, students are seated and ready to begin. All students rise when class begins and they all say in unison, From now we begin our science lesson They all bow to the teacher and then they are seated and class officially begins.
3. I saw very few computers in classrooms. They are not nearly as connected to technology as I had thought.
4. They attend school 200 days per year as opposed to our 180.
5. There summer vacation is 28 days.
6. Lunch was interesting. You are not allowed to bring lunch from home unless there is a medical reason. They dont employ a lunch room staff much except to cook the meals. Lunches are served BY THE STUDENTS on a rotation basis. You eat in your classroom with the teacher, so there is very little need for a lunch room staff except to prepare the food.
7. The lunches are served by fellow students. You receive your lunch and then take it back to your desk. INTERESTING NOTE: No one began eating their lunch until each student was served and seated! They waited patiently until every student had been served. Then the teacher gave the go ahead to begin lunch!
8. The meals are HEALTHY! Mine consisted of rice, soup, a vegetable, milk and a small piece of fish. See photo of a school lunch!
9. Recycling is huge in Japan and all students play a part in the washing of milk cartons for the recycle bin.
10. When lunch is over EVERYBODY pitches in and returns the food carts back to the kitchen. The teamwork and cooperation among students was truly awesome.
11. And everyone seemed so HAPPY AND HELPFUL TO ONE ANOTHER!
12. Students are encouraged to be global citizens on a daily basis, not just Japanese citizens.
13. Discipline problems are very few. People just dont break the rules here or you will be shamed.
14. CLEAN UP: Schools have very few custodians here. The clean up of the building is done each day BY THE STUDENTS! I LOVE IT! Each homeroom has groups that work together and rotate the cleaning duties of the entire school each day. And the schools were SPOTLESS! VERY CLEAN.
15. SCHOOL UNIFORMS are mandatory. Personally, I think this is a great idea, because it takes away any pressure of status symbols in clothing. Everyone seemed to be ok with it.
16. All jobs at the school are rotated by different students work groups in homerooms. Typical jobs that these groups will perform are sweeping, cleaning the board at the end of each period, recycling duties, bathroom cleaning, moving furniture, bulletin boards and most importantly it is the STUDENTS who will post the teachers assignments on a board to insure that all classmates know what is due and when.
17. Students play a much larger role in the upkeep of the building and the dissemination of important information regarding assignments for all classes.
As a result, the classrooms dont seem to get as dirty, and I saw absolutely zero evidence of vandalism or graffiti on school campuses. They seemed to respect their school property because they are the ones that take care if it!
Todays observations were for a MIDDLE SCHOOL. The classes I visited and participated in were art, P.E., math, cooking class, and wood shop. In the next two days ahead we will visit and interact with elementary and high school age students. I look forward to comparing these schools with U.S. schools.
This is an amazing place. Although our countries will always be different, there is much our two countries can learn from one another.
Stay tuned for the high school observations!!!
JAPANESE GARDENING EMAILS!!!!
Thank you to all the students who submitted me their 10 elements that make up a Japanese garden. Great Job! All of these were good, but we need to take it to a high level.
1. Where will we build our Japanese Garden at Pope? It needs to be near water.
2. We need more research on this and we need to develop a great way to present these ideas with pictures and more details in power point.
MORE RESEARCH NEEDED HERE STUDENTS!!!YOU CAN DO IT!!!
3. Here is a list of my observations of what we will need to include in our Pope Japanese Garden: bamboo fencing, bamboo borders, pea gravel, rocks, boulders, ponds, fish, smooth stone walkways, cedar shake roofs, orange arcing bridges and flowing water. Some of the key plants used in Japanese Gardens here are Acer palmatum, Aspidistra, azaleas, Aucuba, Fatsia, Mondo grass, Japanese Black pine, Podocarpus, Camellia, and Yaupon Holly.
4. Also we need to find a source to purchase or make Japanese pagodas! research it!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. did I mention the food?
OCTOBER 12 ...
Today we visited Shmimamatsu Elementary School for observations, teaching and meeting with the staff for questions and answers. However my favorite part of the trip so far occured here... CORN DAY!!! since I am the token horticulturist on the trip, i was selected to join 65 second graders for the harvesting of the corn crop. They lease a plot of land a few blocks away from the school where the students grow crops.
you'll see from the pix, that the kids were rather eager to harvest the corn crop. I was told the corn is the variety that is used to make pop corn, which must explain while the kids were so excited...
During to the walk to the field I taught my group of kids the RIGHT-E-0 COMBRIGHT-E-O chant that Pope kids do in class sometime. They picked up on it right away. i will try to attach the little video of them doing the COMBRIGHT-E-0 reply to my lead.
this was a remarkable day in a beautiful new school facility. Again, we teachers were free to roam the school and interact or observe or any classrooms.
Again, I was amazed at the discipline of the students and the professionalism of the teachers. And again I was amazed as kids performed all the school cleaning chores such as sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, hosing down walks and even cleaning the rest rooms! And they perform these duties happy as can be! they take great pride in their school buildings and it shows.
Again, we left our shoes at the door and wore cute little slippers all day long. That makes for a comforting outlook in itself.
I am excited about the visit and tour of a high school tomorrow.
stay tuned for details!
SUNDAY October 15, 2006
A lot has happened since my last entry here but Ill try to sum it up
On Friday, October 13, our delegation made a site visit and observation to Hokkaido Eniwa Minami High School. Of all the schools we have visited, this is the first one that was a disappointment. The day began fine, and I was the designated speech giver for our delegation (see photo)We received a formal welcome from the administration, and I concurred with my speech of appreciation for being here. but after that it sort of went downhill. We did not find the students as this school to be as attentive or nearly engaged as was evident in the previous schools we had visited. This school is known for its athletic program, but we discovered later that it rated in the lower half academically. Which is ok too, because it is good to view all sides of any scenario. Overall, a large majority of these students were simply not paying attention as the teachers lectured, and they were more interested in there private chit chat and the teacher droned on. I do not see how learning could take place in such an environment.
It made me proud to be a part of Pope High School and I missed my students even more as I continued with my observations for the entire day. I was later told there are more outstanding high schools in Japan than this one, so in conclusion it is good to see all sides of the picture. It would not be realistic to only observe the top schools of Japan. All nations have issues in schools and todays experience proved that. It seems that Japan has not embraced the principles of differentiated teacher, for most what I observed was lectures and worksheets which may explain the restless nature of these students.
The classes I observed at Hokkaido Eniwa Minami High School were English, Ethics, Japanese History and another class of which I could never determine the topic.
The day ended with a panel discussion where we met several teachers in a private setting and asked them questions.
The highlight of this day was when we observed the physical education activities. The Kendall (sp?) fencing and Judo classes were quite interesting tho somewhat violent yet reverent at the same time. It was nice see two young men bow before they gave one another body slams on the mat. As was the same with the fencing class I am sure there is a long history to each of these sports which explains the respect the participants give to each other before challenging them in competition. 
I think several of our educators were grateful when this day ended as it marked the final school observation of our stay here. The next activity would be the home visit with our host family.
On Saturday morning we pack our bags for an overnight visit with our assigned host families. At 10:00 a.m on Saturday I met my host family.
I was fortunate in that my host family was wonderful! I was met by a wonderful couple and their daughter, Mekiko. They were the most welcoming hosts a person could ever hope for. We visited an aquarium on the Chiltose River where we saw the salmon rushing upstream to spawn. Then we went to their lovely home where we enjoyed Japanese tea. After that they took me a very unique antique shop and English garden that I later discovered had been featured in a magazine. Then they took me to tour a nearby nursery because they knew I was a plant guy (see pics) We later made a stop at the local market to purchase a wide selection of interesting seafood that we would enjoy later.
Their home was very lovely.extremely clean, organized and artfully decorated. Here I shared some photos of my school and family before the customary Japanese bath. Personally, I loved it and it really makes sense. As the guest, I was the one to go first. Unlike American baths or showers, you clean yourself in the bathroom first with a shower hose on a handle. After you have cleaned yourself, then you enter the preheated bath tub which has already be prepared and heated for you. Always enter the tub after cleaning yourself because others will be sharing the same bath water. So I did. After a good cleaning outside of the tub, I soaked myself into the most relaxing HOT water. Others in the family will share this same water after me, which is why it is important to be clean BEFORE you enter the tub ahhh, it felt nice, very relaxing.
After the bath I put on my pajamas and slippers and went upstairs to hear the most lovely piano music played by their daughter, Makiko. Others bathed as I waited for dinner would soon be served.
Dinner was super fabulous. We all sat around an electric heating pan on the kitchen table. Then we cooked our dinner at the table on this hot plate like device. The things we cooked there were salmon, squid, shrimp, scallops, asparagus, onions, potatoes, cabbage. It didnt take long for these delicacies to cook. Another added surprise was a small fish called caplin sort of like a sardine but a bit larger we ate the entire fish, head and all. Man, it was delicious! The best meal Ive had in Japan so far.
After much feasting, I was feeling tired so I retired at 9 pm.
Sunday morning brought a new day of discovery and adventure. Maeda San and I took a walk around the neighborhood for a while and then returned to a perfect breakfast. My hosts were the best you could ever imagine. They were so generous and polite and genuinely interested in the culture of America as well as sharing their own.
After breakfast we drove for about an hour to the Napporo Forest Park. Here we took a two hour nature hike through the most beautiful forest. Fall is creeping in so bright colors were evident all around. (see pics). This was the first real nature fix Id had since arriving in Japan so this was a welcome respite for myself. Quite nice.
We later drove to the Hokkaido Historical Center. Now this was an interesting place. It was about 10 acres where they have moved actual historic buildings from all over the prefecture of Hokkaideo to a central place for visitors to view how cool is that. I am tired and it is late so I may not elaborate on this, but just know that it was remarkalble.
My host family was the best part of my Japan trip so far. They shared their lives, their home and their countryside with me and for that I am grateful. I hope someday I can return the favor.
Tuesday, October 16, 2006
This Japan Fulbright Memorial trip is highly organized and extremely well planned out. Almost every waking hour is scheduled with educational and interactive events to keep us continually growing in our knowledge of the Japanese culture. The entire schedule is like clockwork including the transportation services, flight connections, and all the meals.
I would be remiss if I did not give special mention to the professional and well qualified tour guides that accompany each of the 10 prefecture groups we were divided into.
We were very fortunate for this trip to have the absolute BEST tour guides and interpreters. I was continually impressed with their hospitality and willingness to always to the extra mile to make this experience so spectacular. Our primary tour guide for the entire trip was the beloved Keiko Hisa! She has been the sweetest and most accommodating tour guide we could ever hoped for. To me, she epitomizes the ultimate professional, always knowledgeable and always sensitive and PATIENT to the needs of our Eniwa delegation. Evidently, she has been leading JFMF host tours for about 10 years now and guided us smoothly through each and every bend in the road along this journey.
We also enjoyed the same kind of hospitality and tour guide service from our interpreter, Yumi. Together these two women took good care of us! I will try to attach a photo of Keiko and Yumi with this entry.
FINAL DAY IN ENIWA:
After the experience with the host family, we returned to the hotel for our final nights stay in Eniwa City. Our final day in Eniwa City would begin with a farewell meeting back at the board of education. We were met again by the superintendent of their school system. He gave us a very warm speech thanking us for our interest and wishing a general good will between our two countries. He was a very eloquent speaker, and he made a special point to inquire about our visit to the Eniwa school system. He pointed out that the JFMF experience consisted of six integral parts which included visitations, observations, and interactions at the following locations:
1. A local commercial industry.
2. An elementary school.
3. A middle school.
4. A high school
5. The Hokkaido University in Sapporo
6. The experience of our home stay with our host family.
He seemed genuinely interested in our experience and well being. As has been the case at every official meeting like this, one of our American delegates gave a speech to the officials in attendance.
From what I could tell, the discipline issues in Japanese schools are less than U.S. Oene reason for this may be because the local school is more involved directly with each family in the event of a discipline problem. The worst thing a student in Japan can do is bring shame to his family as a result of his/her poor decisions. The Japanese are a very proud group of people and they place high value on family unity and integrity. When asked what the schools punishment for repeat offenders might be, they all looked very puzzled because it had not been a problem that had yet to face.
They also gave us a puzzled look when we asked them discuss how Japanese teachers integrate arts and/or differentiated teaching methods into the classroom. I do not think they have studied or embraced the concept of differentiated teaching or cooperative learning methods. The teachers I observed were primarily focused on the lecture method of teaching, although we did observe some team projects being conducted in the middle school we visited. Lectures and worksheets were the only type of teaching we observed in our only high school visit.
Although the Japanese seem to rank high internationally on test scores, I feel they are missing out on a vital element of instruction and the actual application of their test score knowledge. This fact was also acknowledged by the Japanese themselves in one of the earlier presentation we observed in Tokyo last week.
TESTING AND GRADES: In the high school I visited, 80% of the students grades are the result of just a few key tests. Many schools weigh this 80% on as little as 2 major tests. This was a bit disturbing when I think about how smart some students really are but who may not be good test takers. I heard no mention of different learning styles or anything at all about the Multiple Intelligences application to instruction. Student attitudes and ethics are also a part of the students grades.
LEAVING ENIWA:
Upon leaving Eniwa we stopped for lunch at another of the wonderful restaurants that had a perfect Japanese meal waiting for us. After this fine meal we departed for a 2 hour drive through gorgeous mountains on our way to the Japanese ryokan. The ryokan is the term for the traditional Japanese Inn. It is typically a place for vacation or relaxation. I would like to say it is similar to an American bed and breakfast, but all of the Japanese traditions are honored. Things like baths in the outdoor hot springs, the wearing of the traditional Japanese attire and all huge menu of Japanese delicacies prevail here. Time is running out GOTTA RUN! MORE LATER!
ONLY ONE MORE ENTRY BEFORE WE DEPART BACK TO THE U.S!
THATS ALL FOLKS! GOTTA RUN! MORE LATER! KEEP ON ROCKIN!
October 17, 2006
This the final day of the JFMF experience. As I mentioned earlier the whole U.S. delegation of 200 teachers was divided into 10 groups of 20 prefectures and dispersed across the country. Each sub group worked and toured independently, but all of the groups were introduced to school board officials and toured several schools and universities. Each of the 20 prefecture groups all had similar scheduled activities but in totally different sections of Japan.
For the final day of our JFMF experience, all of the 20 prefecture groups gave presentations about their 10 day experience in the country of Japan. There were some amazing stories told about the various experiences in the schools and home stays.
Presentations consisted of music, song, Haiku, skits, power point presentations, films, displays of Japanese dress, and a wide range of presentation styles. Some snippets of information and/or quotes from these presentations are listed below:
We entered Japan as colleagues, but we are leaving as life long friends
From viewing the various presentations, it became clear that all of the experiences were more than just about education. The experience of the JFMF is about human relations between two very diverse cultures.
You dont have to be the best in the world, just try to be the best FOR the world.
A mans mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its old dimension.
Strive always to be a global citizen. Theres more around you than you know.
We have found more commonalities than differences in our two cultures.
We will be more experienced students of the world.
Guidance, morals and ethics are a routine portion of the grading in the Universities.
The minimum hours for teachers in japan is 7:45 to 5 p.m. From our findings this would be considered to be a short day, many teachers claiming to routinely work to 7 or 8 pm each night.
Students vigorously scrubbing and sweeping a school without being told.
An amazing experience that we will all remember the rest of our lives.
The kindness and generosity of the Japanese people is unequaled.
One of the participants completed his 20 year dream by seeking out and locating his family crest. Tombstones from his ancestors.
Kids were always asking for autographs and we were quite often treated like superstars all of this because I am a teacher?! Teachers are held in high regard in all of Japan.
TOP FIVE SWEETS TASTED IN JAPAN.
Mochie pounded rice molded into balls. Pounded.
Waffle like pastry stuffed w/ a red bean paste.
Taco yake fried octopus in a batter like a gummy bear
Muscote grapes huge golf ball size grapes
Peaches
How do you describe the sunset of a Japan sea from atop of the Akasaka shrine?
How do you thank the mayor of a wonderful city as he presents you with an artifact from centuries old?
How do you hold a moon beam?
My colleagues and I have had our lives changed forever. Our hearts were touched by their compassion and kindness.
Eechie go eechi a
Eechie go eechi a
This means:
A once in a lifetime experience.
One that has never come before and one that will never come the same way again.
Arao pears! The best pear in the world. Different shape that does not look like a real pear. They look like a big fat apple. Crunchy not smooth.
If it werent for the vision of Senator Fulbright and the Jap. Government we would not be sitting here today.
THANK YOU TO THE GOVERNEMENT OF JAPAN FOR MAKING THIS JAPAN FULBRIGHT MEMORIAL TRIP POSSIBLE! OUR LIVES WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
(epilogue forthcoming over and out for now. 10-18-06)
| 28 Sep 2006 by joe |