The first afternoon our guests were with us, we went together to the Wisconsin DPI (Department of Public Instruction) for a formal welcome and greeting from DPI representatives. First we took some time for introductions and sharing of gifts. Then we spent a bit of time talking about the ideas people had for the environmental project our schools will do together. We also spoke briefly about some general aspects of our repsective school operations. It was very exciting to meet as educators from countries at opposite sides of the world, sharing information and discussing our ideas about teaching and learning.
Click on photographs to see larger image.
Since a major aspect of this Master Teacher Fulbright Program is to design and implement an environmental project together, the staff from Madison was eager to share our school district's school forest with our guests from Japan. The Madison School Forest is a 320 acre oak and hickory forest 10 miles from Madison, where many students, teachers, and parents go to learn about nature. Teachers and families from our school joined us for a nature walk, mini-tour of the school forest, and traditional cook-out. Our translator, Hiroko, a native of Japan, remarked that it would not be common for students in Japan to have a free exploration time out in the woods. She indicated that instead, there would be asphalt trails the student would specifically follow, and a very scheduled and specific exploration and plan for the students' activities.
On Wednesday afternoon we went to the Teacher Education building on campus. We had a light lunch and discussion with University professors interested in learning about and supporting our schools' projects, and in meeting our Japanese guests to hear from them a bit about Japan and their current systems of teaching and learning. This was a great opportunity for us to hold a dialogue about a potential project for our students, as well as share our thoughts on education in general. During this meeting, our Japanese guests also presented many gifts, which they wished to share with Lincoln School directly. We were delighted to receive these various treasures from our guests, which beautifully represent and reflect their city, culture, and education.
March 24, 2002: (morning) Washington, D. C.
Meeting with teacher Becky Rosenberg from our partner school, Lincoln Elementary School, Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
We went to Taliesin on 28th March. We were taken to the grounds and buildings in Spring Green, Wisconsin by the head carpenter for a special tour. The buildings are closed to the public at this time of year. Taliesin was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright is famous architect in USA and his name is also known in Japan. He built Imperial Hotel and Tokyo Station in Japan.
We saw Hillside Home School and Taliesin. Hillside has a wonderful theater, and the Wisconsin River is flowing below. Taliesin has beautiful architecture which has a lot of wonderful rooms. The rooms are very bright because they have many wide windows. And there are many Japanese collections of traditional and historical things, for example, Ukiyoe, Buddha and Japanese painting. Those are all valuable cultural legacy of Japan. I realized that Wright was interested in Japan, and loved Japanese culture. This experience was wonderful and precious for me.
Written by Sensei Yukihiko Oikawa at Omose Elementary School
The 5th day of American training inspection: Evening
As a Fulbrighter [recipient of Fulbright Scholarship] we are guided by a teacher (from a different Madison school) who had gone to Hiroshima Prefecture last November, and carried us to shopping mall. We had a meal first. There were various stores, such as a taco and a hamburger. There is no such big store in Kesennuma. I chose as healthy a menu as possible. In the United States, a meal can be chosen from many kinds. What I have not yet eaten was chosen and eaten from the inside. It is a taco. It was delicious. The size of an American drink is very large. I have to take care for sugar's taking and passing. Since I was interested in cooking, I went into the store of a cooking article. I bought the book of the dish for children for my child's souvenir. The tool had a very interesting thing for cooking. I brought the catalog of the store. An order may be placed by the Internet. Moreover, I went into the souvenir store. There I bought the jawharp and the toy of a tornado for my son. He will be glad.
written by Sensei Masahito Abe
Last update: March 30, 2002
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