A day in the life of sensei and his students

Today, students took evaluative tests in all subjects, and no classes were scheduled. I thought that I would have a nice, uninterrupted, all-day-long internet and poker session, perhaps even a little nap after lunch. Afterall, I need a little R&R after the stressful day I had yesterday and the week-long 6am wake-up call.

I was summoned to monitor a 3rd year math test during 2nd period. I arrived at the classroom 30 seconds after the bell had rung, and hurriedly passed out the 1-page test. Only until Yoshida-sensei came by 15 minutes later for questions did he correct my mistake and passed out both the 2nd page and the answer sheet. Though many students` tests were unfinished, I think it`s mostly due to general ineptitude rather than my mistake since there were a number of completed tests. The (expected) level of math in these 9th graders was more advanced than American counterparts, though not jaw-droppingly so. Some fractional arithmetic, some simple binomial factoring, some trignometry (slopes, intercepts, etc). Although they weren`t asked to solve any algebra, almost all of the non word-questions assume some tacit understanding of algebra. I couldn`t really decipher the word-questions, but they took up the majority (at least 2/3) of the test. The emphasis on word-question and problem-solving seems contrary to the kind of rote learning that Japanese is so infamous for.

Then came some more sitting in the office. I couldn`t play poker because Ogura-sensei sat next to me for the next 2 periods.

Then lunch at the cafeteria. Supposedly hamburger, but tasted rather like a mixture of pork and fish paste; wasn`t too bad though. Students around me were super conscious of the presence of a non Japanese-speaking teacher they were on the verge of freaking out, though I had two of the girls, Mirii and Saki in my class yesterday. They made lunch extremely awkward for me, which I ate in near silence.

Then some more sitting around. Minus $10 at a .5/1 table, continuing my downward spiral to minus $80.

Then I was asked to join the cleaning period. Japanese students are required to clean the campus on a daily basis. I knew this before coming because Taiwanese schools work the same way. My assignment: the student entrance and the hallway in front of the library. This would require some explanation. Japanese students take off their shoes upon entering school, and put on their slippers, stored in rows of cabinets, at the school entrance. I didn`t ask anyone about this, but I seriously suspect that my assignment--the entrance and the library hallway (which is directly facing the entrance)--may be the dirtiest place in the whole school. It is the only place in the whole school where students are allowed to wear outside shoes, and is dusty as hell. And I thought that these teachers were nice to me...

Then I grade the English test of 2nd year students. I`m sorry to write in such laundry list format, but one can`t help after reading some of these students` diary entries.

Full score is 7.

8
I got up at five thirty. We had track meet today. I will jump long jump. I jumped long jump. I could jump five meters eighty three centimeters. I was first. I was very very happy because I will go to Yokohama too this year. I got home at five o`clock. I ate rice, salad and fish for dinner. Taste was very good. I took a bath at eight forty. I watched TV. I went ot bed at ten thirty. I was very very tired. But I did my self today. I will do my best in Yokohama. I will jump six meters.

8 (written by the captain of the kendo club, a girl!)
We had Chugoku contest today!! I went to kaijyo with daisenchugaku kendo bu. I practiced kendo with Osaki. Then I played game. I played game Okayama`s kendoplayer. She was very strong. I didn`t win. I was very sad because I want to win!! I was very very sad but I had a good experience. Then I was very happy!! I am going to go to Chugoku contest next year. I will try hard!

7
I got up at seven this mornin. Then I aet hotcake for breakfast. I took a bath. I played game with Kazuma and Tomoki. It was very fun. We went to Daigo (I love Daigo, an awesome udon shop in Nawa and just found another one in Yonago last night). I aet Daigoudon (same thing I had last night). It was very good (I concur). We came home. I took a nap. I watched video on TV. Title is *Hally Potte*. I like tihe video. Do you know `Hally Potte`? Hally is very very coll.

5
I got up at six-thirty. I washed my face. I brushed my teeth. Then I ate rice, salad and tea for breakfast. I left home for school at seven-forty. Today was practiced game in Nakayama. I had a very good game (I think this was the starting middle blocker). I got home at four-thirty. I was tired. I took a shower. I took a nap. Then I did my homework. I watched kuwazugirai on TV. i went to bed at eleven.

6
I got up at seven. I ate rice and misosoup for breakfast. I went to the club activity by bike. First I practiced a long distance relay race (ekiden). Next I practiced soccer very hard. I got home at eight-thirty. I ate rice and ramen for lunch. I took a nap. I played a game. I watched soccer on TV. I ate rice meat salad and ham for dinner. I took a bath. I watched baseball on TV. I studied math and English. I played a game. It was interesting. I went to bed at ten.

4.5
I got up at seven this morning. Then I at bread, salad, and milk tea for breakfast. After that I played ping pong. I drank tea and apple drank. I went to juku (cram school) and koto (traditional Japanese instrument). after that I came home. I had a rice for lunch. I played a fishing with my brother. My brother is one I have a fish is two. Today did happy(many mistakes, but I have her an extra .5 for trying).

4 (my personal favorite)
I got up at five. I went to school at six thirty. So we cut the grass. I got home at eight. I studied from 9(AM) to 8(PM). I was very tired. I went to bed at ten.

There were a few 2`s and 3`s and 0`s, but they weren`t very interesting. I noticed that these Japanese JHS students on average wake up at 6 and go to bed between 11 and 12. That`s less than 7 hours a day, every day including weekends (for some with long-distance relay practices)! I dont know how they do it. They seem to not know how to, just, chill. I do it very well. I will teach them. It is four fifty now. I don`t want to miss the train. So I will go now.