Yesterday was very insightful I  went to visit Tachiai Elementary School in Toyko...population 500 students school year in Japan begins in April and classes are held from Monday to either Friday or Saturday, depending on the school. The school year consists of two or three terms, which are separated by short holidays in spring and winter, and a six week long summer break.  The principal has been there for 12 years.. He considers his school as "The Happy Team"  The children are at the center with teachers, parent community and organizations surrounding and supporting them. There are 1,300 Elementary schools in Toyko. They all have special classes Art, Music, and Gym... All the elementary schools have a swimming pool... The students not only eat in their classrooms but they serve the food and clean up afterwards. The students also participate in rice harvesting, brass band, calligraphy and choral music. The school was immaculate everything in its place... The children orderly, same, secure are able to do individualized tasks/jobs:recycling, serving lunch and cleaning the classroom and hallways. They are a true green school every thing is recycled no paper napkins the student all have wash cloths, they use glass dishes and real silverware the only thing to be recycled is the milk carton and straw and they break it down after drinking it. They all finish what is on their plates...no waste.. green all the way. The children are free to skip down the hallway on their way to doing their daily routines. They are happy and eager to learn. Some teachers were playful with their students others slightly stern... but order was maintained in the class.. the best part of my trip to Taichai was teaching a lesson on Tessellations to a 5th grade and a sixth grade class.. forgot to take pictures but will see if some else did. It was a wonderful experience trying to figure out how to communicate with 80 Japanese students who speak no english and get my lesson across.. no interpreters... a visual modeling of teaching at its best.. 99% of the students received and produced the lesson very well...  The students received a well rounded education.. The art teacher was very gracious and proud of her students.. was able to observe her with her students it was a joy they were creating/painting a fresco on paper..
Check for the photos later got to run .. on my way to try on  a kimono and be part of a kimono ceremony..