We're nearly to the end of our school year in Japan, and although the students are really busy with schoolwork, tests, etc, their schools still find the time to celebrate their accomplishments.
Like America, Japanese students have graduation ceremonies when they leave elementary school and junior high. Apparently the actual ceremonies are very formal - all teachers in suits, a speech from the Kochou Sensei (principal), a few speeches from students, and the awarding of certificates or diplomas. However, they also have assemblies or events a week or two before to give everyone a chance to celebrate the graduating students in a more fun and creative way.
A few days ago I was lucky enough to attend one of these special events. It took place Tamatsukuri-Nishi Elementary, the smallest one I teach at with only 47 students! As a result of the size, the school has a really strong community and everyone seems very bonded together. The program took place in the gym, which had been decorated with tons of orange and yellow tissue flowers as well as painted posters of each graduating 6th grader, and paper stars hung all over some large curtains. The 6th graders had a little processional, walking under arches of paper flowers held up by the younger students. Then each of the younger grades presented, in turn, presents they had made (art, crowns, etc) and little performances to honor the graduates.
The 1st graders played bell instruments, then held up big drawings they had done of each 6th grader, and the audience had to guess which kid it was supposed to be. Very cute. The 2nd and 3rd graders put on a little mini-play involving lobsters, tadpoles and turtles - they had made their own costumes as well, hilarious! I wish I could have understood what they were saying, although I did get a few things. The 4th and 5th graders did skits of the 6th graders, gently poking fun at them and getting some good laughs. Then the 6th graders did their own skit, apparently all about pairs of students vying to see who was going to be the tallest by the end of the year ;) Because there's a lot you can do to influence that? Who knows, it was just fun getting to see their creativity and humor.
After all the kids had celebrated each other, a local professional ocarina musician played for us all. He used at least 5 different ocarinas, ranging in size from fitting in the palm of his hand to the size of a flower pot! Impressive.
I felt honored to be invited to watch all of this, and I have to say it was a treat to see the students' humor and imagination really being allowed to flow. I have certainly learned that the Japanese aren't nearly as uptight, formal and reserved as Westerners usually assume they are, but there is definitely not as much room for children to pursue individuality and flex their imaginations.
I'm really proud of all of my students - I have bonded with many of them, and feel sad that I won't get to see how they turn out as they get older. But I will always remember them, and hope they will remember me at least a little bit.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment