At the elementary school the kids were doing very engaging activities. In this class they were growing plants and digraming the growth and what they observed. The kids were pretty proud of their plants. This little girl pulled me out of the hall to come see her pepper. They were a gregarious and amazingly outgoing group of kids. So much pride in their school, their work and what they were accomplishing. It made me want to suddenly change to be an elementary teacher in Japan. Very inspiring little ones. 
Compulsary swimming meant every kid was very comfortable in the pool. They were playing rock - paper - scissors to see who had to dunk their heads first. 
I would have probably taken Aoi home with me if she would have asked. Everytime I turned around she was smiling at me and pulling at my arm to show me something new. She was the accomplished unicycler on a campus of unicyclers. The kids smiled and smiled and smiled.
Japanese feed each kids every day and the kids are responsible for helping set up the classroom for lunch each day. The sense of community is amazing. The kids serve each other, eat at their desks and clean everything up when they are done. I sat in on a 4th grade class as the guest of the day. They welcomed me in and fed me. We also sang a rendition of John Denver's "Country Road" which they all knew. I drew some pictures for them, did a little breakdancing and felt like a super star. It was very fun.
Kanji Calligraphy is a requirement and this was a class of 2nd graders in class. Imagine an American class of 36 2nd graders with a table full of permanent ink, paint brushes and the instructions to meticulously do handwriting drills. Amazing. There was not a spot of ink on the floor when they were done. I have to say, I tried the caligraphy and it is very difficult. The second graders were respectful and they clapped for me when I was done, but it looked pitiful compared to what they completed. I was put in my place by a bunch of 2nd graders, what a blast.
