Category Archives: 21st Century Skills

Japan Day #10: half day school visit, then IWAI

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The morning was spent at our various schools having one more visit. Some groups had assemblies and did performances; others took classes and learned more about language and culture. Volleyball, group dances, origami, tea ceremonies and delicious school lunches. Jon … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools | Tagged | Leave a comment

Japan Day #9: Small Group school visits, again!

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Homemade sushi, a restaurant and an aquarium made entirely by kindergarteners, a lunch of ramen and an afternoon of dodge ball? My group was super happy today… Lots of cuteness here…

Posted in 21st Century Skills, childhood development, Japan, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Kindergarten in Japan? Priceless!

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

My small group spent the morning in kindergarten with 4 and 5 year olds!

Posted in 21st Century Skills, Japan, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged | Leave a comment

Japan Day #8: sightseeing day in Tokyo

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Today was a day of morning sightseeing and afternoon lunch and shopping, then back to host families at the usual time… We saw some interesting sites: The Tokyo Tower, The outside of the Imperial Palace and a famous Buddhist Temple. … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, Japan, leadership, leadership in children, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged | Leave a comment

Japan Day #7: Each group to a different school…

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Given the raucous conversations at the end of the day, each group had some terrific opportunities to interact with students ranging from kindergarten through 9th grade. I have a few pics of other group activities, as well as mine… Pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, Japan, leadership, leadership in children, literacy, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged | Leave a comment

Day #6 The first day of school visits

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

What an amazing welcome we got: from the school’s band playing “All Hail the Chief as we filed in” to an amazing set of performances by their marching band and orchestra, to the lovely school song and speeches, we were … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, Japan, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Day #5, Part 2, Arrival in Kita City

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Tons of excitement and the right amount of pomp and circumstance greeted us in Kita City. What a lovely opening assembly. What an honor!                    

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, Japan, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged | Leave a comment

Day #5 Happy Birthday Grace! …and the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo!

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Grace turned fourteen in Japan on Sunday. There was a free morning and then we gathered up all our things to get to the bullet train for the ride from Kyoto to Tokyo. First we waited in the station. Ryan … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, Japan, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged | Leave a comment

Japan Day #4 Part 1

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This morning, after our performance rehearsal, we visited the Kiyomizu Temple. Beautiful vistas of Kyoto, an amazing Buddhist Temple and a walk through village area with gift shops and foodie items. Notice Mr. Roquet’s new Hello Kitty  fan! Some students … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, education, Japan, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Japan Day #2 Hiroshima and the bullet train to Kyoto!

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Breakfast in the hotel, than a walk across the street to the Peace Park. So we had an amazing, somber, eye-opening and memorable morning in Hiroshima, starting with a hotel breakfast and a walk to the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum. … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, diversity, education, global education, gratitude, helping children cope with tragedy, Japan, leadership, leadership in children, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged , , | Leave a comment