Kyuyou High School

Today, we visited an academically rigorous high school in central Okinawa City. Like most high schools in Japan, students take an entrance exam at the end of junior high (end of 9th grade) that is used to get into high schools. This high school requires a pretty high exam score to get in, and the difference in students' motivation, seriousness, and studiousness compared to students in elementary and junior high was clear. In fact, we were allowed to wander freely through all classes except for the third floor, which is where the 12th graders have classes, as their entire academic year is spent preparing for university entrance exams.

Exam results from last year listing the names of all the students who passed entrance exams to the top public universities - a little more than a 1/3 of last year's 12th graders passed.

Students in each class were serious - all were taking notes and studying quite intently. Teaching was through lecture-style, but the teachers were relaxed, joking with students and trying to make sure that everyone understands. This style seems to really work for students, but then again, most go to juku, or cram schools, for another 2 or so hours of extra studying each day. Self-motivated studying seems to be a big focus - motivating kids is not seen as teachers' responsibility.


Students' belongings are kept in their classroom - teachers come to them, students stay in the same room for most of the day.

Okay, none of my videos are loading, so you'll have to trust me that they're good... when I have a better internet connection, hopefully, I can upload them then.

Mihara Elementary School

Principal and kids at Mihara welcoming us to their school

What an amazing day... the kids at Mihara Elementary School (grades 1 through 6) were SO fun - just friendly, curious, and happy. We had a wonderful time observing classes, eating lunch with them, watching their dance and sports practices and talking with faculty members.

kids playing before school starts There was a welcome ceremony for us here as well, then some free time to wander the school and observe classes, then more structured observations of dance practice (Eisa dancing - a traditional Okinawan dance), participating in an English lesson with 3rd graders, eating lunch with various classes, more classroom observations, a question and answer session with teachers, and then observing sports practice (not sports like basketball or tennis - if this video loads, you will see all of the 3rd through 6th graders competing to roll a giant ball around the baseball field... wow!) after school. We left the school exhausted, but so fulfilled and enchanted with this place.

me and some new friends (5th grade) Kids have much more responsibility here than they would at an American school. Even the first graders I had lunch with all had jobs to do - clean-up duties, picking up lunches and returning them, taking care of class pets and supplies, and leading the class in a variety of activities. The teachers told us that every day, there is a different class leader who helps the teacher, and that every year, the responsibilities of students are increased. Even during recess and whole-school clean-up, there is little to no adult supervision - things just get done, and although it seems chaotic at times, there is definitely order to the madness and everyone seems to know their place.

I saw some excellent 5th grade math lessons in which all students were engaged and working hard - the teacher explained, led through examples, and gave immediate feedback on practice worksheets. We were also very impressed with their English skills - students begin to learn English once a week starting in first grade. The third graders had prepared an interview to tell us about themselves in English and ask us about our lives - then they gave us gifts and many, many hugs. Awwww!!!


3rd graders practice their English
buddies from 1st grade with whom we had lunch

Yamauchi Jr. High

Students cleaning the school before the start of the day

We finally got to experience a full day at a Japanese school! We visited a local junior high school, which includes grades 7, 8, and 9, where we were first welcomed by an all-school assembly. I had to give a speech on behalf of the American teachers, which went fine except that I completely messed up on saying my name in Japanese. Oh well, it certainly broke the ice. There were some traditional dances and a karate performances, but unfortunately, my videos are too long to load on here.


I forgot to bring my slippers and so had to wear the official visitor slippers provided by the school

I mostly visited math classes, and had a couple of observations as to how they compared with American classes. They were much larger to begin with: 35-40 students, and the teacher was certainly the focus of the class. Most problems were done as a whole class, and even when students were asked to work on a problem individually, many waited until it was gone over before writing anything down in their notebooks. In one class, no students talked for the entire period. In another, students spoke to answer questions, while in a third class, students raised their hands and stood up when acknowledged by the teacher. The work that teachers put on the board was meticulous - it had clearly been planned out in advance and was neat, color-coded, and represented the lesson in its entirety. Virtually nothing was erased from the board. Again, videos are not loading, so unfortunately, you'll just have to wait for my return.



More cleaning of the school - happens every day before school, after lunch, and after school


Students playing traditional instruments

Okinawa - first day of local education

We were up bright and early to check out of our amazing hotel on the beach and drive to the University of Ryukyus, the local public institution of higher education. While there, we had a conference and Q & A with university officials, professors, and students in the schools of education, and later the school of law and letters. The conversations with students were most interesting - several had studied in the U.S. and had insight into the differences between U.S. and Japanese cultures. I was especially struck by how shy and respectful the college students were - many sat for about 3 hours in total silence, just listening to the various questions and answers, which took forever because of back and forth translation.

me at the conference at the University of Ryukyus


We then went to another Q & A with the Okinawa City Board of Education, who got down and danced with us to some Okinawan music. I don't think I've ever seen a superintendent do a hula dance before...


We then shopped in Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture. Again, the relaxed atmosphere and island feel, as opposed to the perfectly dressed and hurrying throngs of Tokyo, was amazing.

A local custom - alcohol with a snake inside, and views of Naha from the street.


Finally, exhausted and sweaty (it's basically tropical here), we were shuttled to a reception held for us by the Fulbright Alumni Association in Okinawa. Have you ever seen a room-full of elderly Japanese gentlemen who happen to be top lawyers, professors, businessmen, and government officials singing in your honor? It was quite entertaining, let me tell you.

Okinawa.... tropical paradise

Cheesy, yes, but also true. Just amazingly beautiful - apparently, Okinawa looks a lot like Hawaii. There are still many elements of Japanese culture - unfailing politeness on the part of everyone we've met, for example, but there is also quite a bit of a laid-back, tropical island feel. People are dressed more casually, many clothing and food items are of Vietnamese and Thai origin, and the frenetic pace I felt in Tokyo is definitely absent. Even the language sounds slower and more lilting, less sharp than what we heard in mainland Japan.

The view from the hotel is amazing, and the temperature is pretty much ideal. All we did today was check out from Tokyo, fly to Okinawa, and check into our hotel. We watched the sun set on the beach (my videos aren't loading for some reason) and then had dinner at a Thai place in the area surrounding the hotel, which is called American Village. Unfortunately, this is our only night in this area... tomorrow, we move to Okinawa City, a smaller town on this island that is farther inland.


View from my hotel window on the 18th floor

After sunset, on the beach

break-dancing kids



more beach views

Days 4 and 5 in Tokyo

It has been very busy these past few days. On Friday, we were privileged to hear some amazing speakers, including one of the main writers of the national mathematics curriculum for Japan, who spoke to us about the state of Japanese mathematics education. He also showed us the Math textbooks used as part of the national curriculum - they are simply beautiful. Like so many things in Japan, it's not just about functionality, but also about style, efficiency, and artistry. We then saw a presentation about traditional Japanese theater (specifically, kabuki), dance, and music. The video below shows a part of a traditional dance that was performed for us. Friday evening was spent in search of a local rock club in the Shibuya district. We finally found it, but unfortunately, the band was already done at that point. Still, there's nothing like being lost in rainy Tokyo on a busy Friday night (picture below)!

Saturday was our first day off from the program - it felt wonderful just to sleep in and do things on my own schedule. I spent the afternoon in Ginza - a busy shopping district that really overwhelms the senses. Imagine Michigan Avenue multiplied by two and free of cars - that's Ginza on a weekend afternoon. Saturday evening, I and some fellow teachers went to a local jazz club. The music was wonderful, the ambiance intimate and cozy - I literally sat next to the bass player. We made friends with the English-speaking owner/singer/waiter/cook, who promised to look me up in Chicago when he's in town, as he travels the world, recording with other jazz artists.

This is our last night in Tokyo for a while, as I prepare to head to Okinawa early tomorrow morning. Internet connection may not be available in Okinawa, but I will definitely update within the week when I return to Tokyo.



Traditional Japanese dancing performed for us


Shibuya train station on Friday night













Ginza shopping



Intersection near Hibiya Park

Mix of traditional and Western: girl in kimono talking on cellphone at intersection - sorry, the picture wouldn't rotate.




Jazz club (Chat Rouge)

Day 3!!

Today was a day full of learning... we had some amazing speakers and presenters come to the hotel and educate us about Japan. The head of the International Education Department of the Ministry of Education discussed the state of Japanese education - its strong points (hello academic performance) and its weak points (lots of bullying, stressed out kids, rebellion and anti-social behavior, lack of independence). We also saw a leading professor of Economics at Tokyo University describe the state of Japan's economy, especially in comparison and relation to that of the U.S. and China. Finally, two highly-esteemed members of the House of Representatives discussed the structure of the Japanese government and leading political questions of the day. Don't worry, I took a lot of notes... there will be a quiz later. :)

Then, in our free time, I actually left the hotel and wandered out to the Harajuku area - full of fashionable and wild young people, and then to Roppongi, a busy shopping and eating area that reminded us of Times Square. Hopefully, the videos will load or you will have to wait for my return because I got lots of great video footage today, but no pictures. Plans for karaoke were postponed until tomorrow night... you'll just have to wait to see that later.

Oh yeah, just wanted to mention that the video of Roppongi (2nd video) was shot at 8:30 pm on a weekday evening!!

Harajuku shops


near Roppongi station