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Some of the kids playing karuta during the end-of-the-year party. Basically, I read a word, and the students try to be the first one in their group to slap their hand down on that word. Ties are resolved via janken, like just about everything in Japan. |
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The students line up in preparation forplaytime in the gym. That mat off to the right was used for sumo wrestling. Very entertaining. |
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With lunch finished, the kids all settle down to brush their teeth to music. Most older Japanese people have really bad teeth (I've seen a few grins more silver than yellowish-white) and they've started taking dental care more seriously as a result. The teacher in the back is Akari-chan's new teacher after the last one left to be a junior high English teacher in Wakkanai. |
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Since it was my last class with them, the kids made a present for me: 1000* paper cranes. (*obviously less than 1000.) I've gotten this gift once before - a get well present from my Japanese class at Carleton when my lung collapsed. It was really sweet; the kids allcame up to point out which ones they made. |
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