Category Archives: Japan

Postscript Japan 2016

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

For the better part of July and August I have let the Japan experience marinate in my mind. There were so many special moments with students, between students, among the adults, even through some pretty substantial language barriers. As we … Continue reading →

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Japan Day #14 Tokyo tour and then long flight home…

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The morning had us bidding farewell to host families and Kita City educators. It was a bittersweet farewell. Then we were off to see a few more sites: The Meiji Shrine (a Shinto Shrine) The Edo Tokyo Museum and one … Continue reading →

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Day 12 Part #2 Chaperone escapades…

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

So on Sunday, some of the chaperones saw some of Tokyo’s sites: Disneyland and a visit to one of Tokyo’s many animal cafés. In this case, an owl café. Japanese manicures… and the owl café…   to be continued…

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Day #12 Free Day!

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Students spent the day with their host families. The chaperones explored the sights and sounds of Tokyo. Navigating the railway system, people watching and understanding just how vertical Tokyo is was all part of today;s education. I found myself feeling … Continue reading →

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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…

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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!

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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 →

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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 →

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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!                    

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