Goryukyu Senior High School was next on the agenda for Day 2 of school visits. We were welcomed to campus by school officials and treated to a warm cup of green tea. Goryukyu Senior High is a Research School. It is in the second year of integrating Junior High students with Senior High students.
The school was in testing mode and the students were busily preparing for formal examinations. I was impressed that we saw a typical high school day. The majority of the teachers taught using direct instruction from the national curriculum. Again, the students were very orderly, courteous and attentive. We had the opportunity to visit Grades 1 (10th), 2 (11th) and 3 (12th). As we traveled the hallways we stopped to look at the numerous attractive bulletin boards that displayed student work, art and calligraphy.
One of the highlights included observing Judo and Kendo practice. I learned that in Judo, the aim is training the body and spirit. The literal translation of Judo is "the gentle way": The softness of Judo techniques is more important than stamina. Kendo practice gave us the opportunity to participate in the art of Japanese fencing. Luckily, the students were well protected and only used bamboo swords. Each member of the American delegation had the opportunity to practice the Kendo "yell" and then swing the sword. The aim was to hit the well-guarded stomach area of the student. By the way, Kendo means "the way of the sword".
Lunch was served in the cafeteria. We had the opportunity to choose from a menu. I opted for Chicken Cutlet with a tangy oriental sauce. Of course, we had rice, too. The teenagers were very interested in quizzing us about Americana. We were asked things about sports. A common question we were asked, "Are the Red Soxs your favorite baseball team?" We were asked if we like President Bush, McDonald's or rap music. Following lunch we met with key faculty members and observed after school activities. The school day ends somewhere between 4 and 4:30 pm. Then the students participate in after school clubs, sports, and band or art programs. Many students do not leave school until after 6 pm. We learned that following regular school activities many families send their children to "crammy" schools. This is a paid after school tutorial class held off campus to help students become better prepared for college entrance examinations.
Before we departed the campus we had a guided tour of the historic Shimazu family cemetery built behind the campus. Some of the graves dated back 1,000 years. Each gravesite is adorned with stone lanterns. The more stone lanterns that adorn the graves the more influential and powerful that particular member of the Shimazu family were during their reign. The windows of the school were adorned with High School students waving farewell as we headed towards the chartered bus. We hoped in some small way we had used our presence to influence these teenagers to have a positive image of Americans just as much as we had formed positive images of Japanese cultures in our minds.
The school was in testing mode and the students were busily preparing for formal examinations. I was impressed that we saw a typical high school day. The majority of the teachers taught using direct instruction from the national curriculum. Again, the students were very orderly, courteous and attentive. We had the opportunity to visit Grades 1 (10th), 2 (11th) and 3 (12th). As we traveled the hallways we stopped to look at the numerous attractive bulletin boards that displayed student work, art and calligraphy.
One of the highlights included observing Judo and Kendo practice. I learned that in Judo, the aim is training the body and spirit. The literal translation of Judo is "the gentle way": The softness of Judo techniques is more important than stamina. Kendo practice gave us the opportunity to participate in the art of Japanese fencing. Luckily, the students were well protected and only used bamboo swords. Each member of the American delegation had the opportunity to practice the Kendo "yell" and then swing the sword. The aim was to hit the well-guarded stomach area of the student. By the way, Kendo means "the way of the sword".
Lunch was served in the cafeteria. We had the opportunity to choose from a menu. I opted for Chicken Cutlet with a tangy oriental sauce. Of course, we had rice, too. The teenagers were very interested in quizzing us about Americana. We were asked things about sports. A common question we were asked, "Are the Red Soxs your favorite baseball team?" We were asked if we like President Bush, McDonald's or rap music. Following lunch we met with key faculty members and observed after school activities. The school day ends somewhere between 4 and 4:30 pm. Then the students participate in after school clubs, sports, and band or art programs. Many students do not leave school until after 6 pm. We learned that following regular school activities many families send their children to "crammy" schools. This is a paid after school tutorial class held off campus to help students become better prepared for college entrance examinations.
Before we departed the campus we had a guided tour of the historic Shimazu family cemetery built behind the campus. Some of the graves dated back 1,000 years. Each gravesite is adorned with stone lanterns. The more stone lanterns that adorn the graves the more influential and powerful that particular member of the Shimazu family were during their reign. The windows of the school were adorned with High School students waving farewell as we headed towards the chartered bus. We hoped in some small way we had used our presence to influence these teenagers to have a positive image of Americans just as much as we had formed positive images of Japanese cultures in our minds.
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