Click on the photo for a larger image
|
Kawahigashi Junior High School. The large mural is made of strings of painted aluminum cans. "Revolution" as it is used here, means positive change or growth (not revolt) | |
This is the interior garden of the campus. At the right you can see the beautiful mural. In the foreground, the koi pond. |
 |
We are greeted officially by Mr. Seiichi Uno, the principal (left). Marika Takashina, English teacher, acts as interpreter. She was also my home stay host. |
 |
Street shoes are worn on the light-colored cement areas; slippers on the red walkways and in all classrooms. You can see the reflective patches on the back of the street (or gym) shoes in the cubby boxes far left. Note too the sinks to wash up in. |
 |
A typical classroom. Class sizes run about 40 students. The Japanese are not worried about class size reduction since the birthrate has declined so dramatically, class sizes will be quite manageable in a few years. |  |
Friendly greetings from students. It seems whenever a picture is taken, kids show the peace sign -- a traditional kid thing. It may or may not mean "peace." |
 |
This beautiful and delicious lunch was provided for each of us. I never got tired of Japanese food. |
 |
I show off my surprising results of just a few instructions from this gifted calligraphy teacher. The translation is "peace." We were also given caligrphy brushes to keep. |
 |
"Four little maids from school are we . . ." Whoops wrong century for that song. (right country though) |
 |
Here students get instruction in music. -- Guitar in this case. |
 |
Art class that day was sculpture over wire framed figures. |
 |
This young lady was sewing a small project when we visited. Camera came out -- up went the peace sign! She found us later to give us the little patch work doll she had been making. |
 |
Martial arts are part of the PE program at this school. |
photo courtesy of Betty Jackson |
Girl's PE includes exercises in the shot put. |
photo courtesy of Betty Jackson |
They're off! Track was an active program here. It is just one of several after school clubs. |
photo courtesy of Betty Jackson |
FMFer, Betty Jackson poses with the track team at Kawahigashi Jr. High School |
 |
Here is the English Club which had just performed a whole play in English. These kids are very talented. |
 |
The baseball club gathers to say good bye to us. There are several after school clubs which enhance student life in Niihama. |
To Mrs. Wheeler's home page To Photo Index Page To Learning in Japan Page