31 August I visited all my 4 schools with the Interac support person and a person from the Board of Edcation (I was not introduced. Japanese people are sometimes quite different than expected. Most people I meet I don’t get introduced to, so I never know their names unless I ask). I was all dressed up in a suit as per request, but it was way too hot to wear my jacket. None of the school staff was dressed up to the nines. Even now I still feel way overdressed. I am still wearing my Tokyo school suits. Most staff wear casual clothes if not t-shirts. Next week I will go more casual.

All 4 schools are in the countryside, and very old. It takes between 12 and 45 minutes to get to them. That is partly because the speed limit is either 40 or 50, and on the very narrow country roads 30 km/hour. And there are so many traffic lights. One is opposite the most peaceful temple. One has a pet rabbit. And some have small veggie gardens. Today they were getting the sunflower seeds out of the flowers. Today 2 boys were catching crickets, not sure why. Will have to find out. All schools have only one or 2 western style toilets. One has a western toilet in such a small room that you need to sit sideways. The desks and chairs in the staff office are all small, even small for some staff. I don’t think they have heard of ergonomic furniture in schools yet.

All staff are really friendly and chatty. Even though most don’t speak any or much English. I still don’t speak much Japanese, but I have (tried to) speak more Japanese in these 2 weeks than in my 8 months in Tokyo. Google sensei is a much used sensei, mostly by the teachers. And I am studying Japanese again.

The students are so cute. They are between 8 and 12 years old.  I don’t teach the smaller ones who are 6 and 7, but they do walk around and they all say hello at all times. They call me either Astrito-sensei or Astrito-san. They are happy and enthusiastic and keen to chat, in and outside the class room. I’ve been asked to play tag and to play soccer. Playing tag; the kids were so fast, I actually didn’t seen them again till end of lunch break. Fortunately, with soccer, I was told to be the ‘keeper’ so I didn’t need to run in the heat and keep up with the abundance of energy the kids have. It is lovely to have kids in class who are actually very much involved and interactive (unlike the students in Tokyo). They were so impressed when I showed them my quilt and really expressed it. They all wear a school uniform with yellow hats, backpacks and umbrellas. (I think the whole of Shikoku primary school kids do).

So far I am really enjoying teaching at elementary schools.