Visit to Mtasubase Senior High School

Senior High School is not mandatory in Japan. It is the students choice to attend, but 97% of Japanese students choose to continue their education in a Senior High School setting. Senior High School consists of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, but they are called "1st, 2nd and 3rd graders", very different from our schools. BES the Bear and I enjoyed our visit!

Students participate in "club" activities. This flower arranging club meets after school. They are learning how to arrange in Japanese asymmetric style with unity and simple design.

Our visit to the art class was exciting. Students had each read a book and were painting to demonstrate their feelings about what they had read.

Calligraphy is a big part of the language arts programs of Japan. We could tell the difficulty level had increased a LOT from the lesson we had observed at the elementary school. The boards the teacher is using were re-usable. He is using water which looks like ink on the board. In brushstroke writing, it is important to use the correct direction when writing and the correct end to your stroke. Students observe the teacher and then practice on their own at their desk.

There are four main "tracks" in the Senior High School education system. Business, Sports, Data Processing and Home Economics. Here a student is in a cooking class. Both boys and girls are learning how to prepare meals including selecting the proper foods, how to cook the food and cleanup. They were all doing a great job and after finishing, they get to eat it!

The visit to Matsubase (mat -so-bas-e) Senior High School was wonderful. We were greeted by the Japanese and American flags flying high in front of their school as we drove up. All of the staff and administration were busy getting ready for us. We started with meetings with the administration of the school. Their school band played the National Anthem and their own National Anthem prior to meeting and then they played a traditional Japanese song for us. They played beautifully. They also prepared a great video for us on the curriculum and club activities of their school which we all received a copy of. I will share that when I return.

The day was filled with classroom observations, students sharing and more meetings. We met with their student council where we answered questions they had about American teens and schools. Most of their questions were about the same issues and concerns that American kids would have. We also enjoyed a special arts presentation by some of the students in puppetry and plate spinning which the principal participated in. The Japanese Tea Ceremony was most special for us as we learned the traditional art of this and the history of it.

Our day ended with a meeting with administration and several of their teachers for a question and answer session from both parties. Students created beautiful little goody bags for us that contained special candies and origami.

My observation of this school was a mutual respect from both teachers and students while providing them a LOT of opportunities for hands on learning. Their "club" activities are another way to continue learning about their history and culture.

OK, here is your question of the day: What do all students at every school have to do before they walk into the building every day? Until next time...