This past week, we started our placement at our school, which is an elementary (grades 1-6) public school with some special needs classrooms! Although it was only three days so far, we’ve gotten a chance to be with nearly every grade and have lunch with multiple classes!
The school itself is absolutely amazing! The teachers are so friendly, warm, and welcoming, and go out of their way to make us feel welcomed. The principal and vice-principal took the time to welcome us and are always there for us should we have any questions or concerns. It’s a bit different to Canadian schools, so it was so interesting to get a chance to explore.
Firstly, there’s a school nurse who got her degree from the university of education in school nursing; so she’s not a nurse, she’s a school nurse. It means she can’t give out medicine, but she is the go-to person if a kid doesn’t feel well, or just needs a break from class. I never had a school nurse before, so I was unsure of what it looks like. In reality, students come up to her freely to chat, feeling comfortable sharing things with her. She explained to us she gets kids come in with aches a lot, and she has beds for them to rest in. She is also the one who helps girls if they get periods and don’t know what to do.
Another interesting thing in Japan is that a lot of teachers are males. So far, every teacher I’ve seen has been outstanding and really committed to their classroom. It’s interesting to see the difference in genders. Although mostly men, the special needs and early elementary are mostly women.
Students get served food made by the school. The staff bring the food up in hot plates and containers, and then the students and teacher serve the food in bowls. All students wear aprons and cute little bandanas and have placements; they wait until everyone has food, then says “itedakimas”, which is a phrase you say in Japanese before eating as a humble sign of thanks. Their food is usually some noodles or rice with vegetables and meat, a side of either fruit or bread, a side of either more meat or sometimes soup, and milk (Hokkaido milk is a big deal here). Since I’m vegetarian, I’ve been bringing my own lunches with me, which has really made the students curious. The younger ones especially have never seen a lunch box before, and were intrigued as to why I had my own food– and they were curious as to the kind of food I had. I explained to one teacher that I was vegetarian, so I brought my own food, and when she explained to the kids I don’t eat meat or fish, the first graders all gasped and stared at me. It was so cute how their little minds were blown.
The language barrier is sometimes really difficult. Although we had a few Japanese classes, our Japanese is not nearly good enough to hold an actual conversation with children who speak fast. But we can ask basic questions, and they get the idea we don’t speak the same language. Some, especially the older kids, know more English, so we can have very basic conversations, and it’s been very fun to see them get excited! However, one lunch, we brought our book with the Japanese phrases, and got to pointing things out and reading from it, allowing us to have more of a conversation with the kids.
The most amazing thing is the language barrier doesn’t stop us from forming connections with the kids. For example, there was one first grader who understood we’re from Canada, and managed to convey to us he’s America. So whenever we see him, he points to himself and says American, and so do we. It makes him giggle and smile and we wave to each other every time we see one another. Another girl, who was with her friends, wanted to show us all the bugs and lobsters and fish they keep as class pets, but to cut to the chase, found it easier to take my hand and guide me to where she wanted me to look. And oohs and aahs and facial expressions get you far. Another group of girls were trying to introduce themselves, but I mixed up their names through their giggles, and mistook one for another or mixed up their names (I’m not really sure) so we started laughing that we’re all called Miku. And when I saw them again, they pointed at me and each other and we started laughing and saying Miku.
Overall, it’s been an amazing week with them! I already know it’s going to be so hard to say goodbye, because they’re all so so so so so kawaii!
I’ve attached some photos from our travels in and around Sapporo! I also got to drive a boxy car on the other side of the road and it was so much fun!!!!
Arigato gozaimasu,
Ziv