Shiogama Daiichi Elementary School

We spent the day at Shiogama Daiichi Elementary School. We walked to the school from the hotel, passing a small Shinto shrine tucked between modern storefronts and residential buildings. This shrine houses a large salt cauldron. "Shiogama" means salt cauldron and one of its most important industries in earlier times was the manufacturing of seasalt. Once at the school, we greeted the students as they arrived. They played in the school yard until the first bell rang. Then, we were greeted formally by the students at an all school assembly after which we met with the principal, vice principal and two head teachers. They explained the school's philosophy and answered some questions we had. After that meeting, we observed individual classes. I was paired with a first grade class, which was joyfully rehearsing a play about how vegetables grow. "Please, Mr. Mole, don't eat the vegetables growing under ground," was one line from a complex drama that was at once a science lesson and morality play. Following the rehearsal, I explored the school on my own until it was time for lunch.

Japanese children and teaching staff remove their shoes upon entering the building. They wear either slippers or "indoor shoes" which are never worn outside. In elementary school, the homeroom teacher teaches all the subjects and the class eats lunch in the classroom. I was fortunate to be invited back to the first grade class I had observed earlier for lunch. The students helped prepare the food. It was excellent. We had homemade vegetable soup, saury fish, rice, milk, and a wedge of a persimmon. Once the period was over, the children brushed their teeth and thoroughly cleaned the classroom.

In the afternoon, I observed drawing, math, writing and drama lessons. The students were eager to participate in the classroom activities and they were very friendly towards us. I was quite amazed by the self discipline of the students. Even though there was a lot of noise and movement at times, the children completed the tasks assigned them and came to order when the teacher called for it.

It was great to spend time with the these beautiful, joyful and friendly children and to have the opportunity to observe how a typical Japanese elementary school is run. Tomorrow we visit a middle school. Stay posted.