SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 1
Visit to Kanagawa Prefectural Yokohama-Midorigaoka Senior High School
On Wednesday, April 17, members of the SSHP Group 1 visited Kanagawa Prefectural Yokohama-Midorigaoka Senior High School, and interacted with the students at that school.
The group was divided into five groups and they were allowed to experience (1) calligraphy; (2) tea ceremony; (3) cooking; (4) kendo; and (5) traditional forms of play in Japan.
In the cooking experience, the students tried themselves to make miso soup by preparing dashi with dried bonito and konbu (kelp). The miso soup they made was served to all participants at lunch. In traditional forms of play in Japan the students enjoyed interacting while playing "Daruma-san ga koronda (Daruma-san fell down)."
In the afternoon, each group of 3 to 5 people tried writing English haiku under the theme of "School Life." While creating their works, conversations naturally sprang up about each other's school events and cultural topics. It seems like it was a very good cultural exchange for them. It was also impressive to see the teachers from the various countries having heated discussions about the interpretation of their Haiku.
The entire day in which all the students interacted with each other was an unforgettable experience for them.
Lastly, I would like to introduce six excellent English haiku that the students produced. What images do you envision from these haiku? (There is no order. These are simply six haiku offered in random order.)
- Falling cherry blossoms Steps forward the Huzokuzaka
With the new shoes
* Huzokuzaka = Huzokuzaka: A steep hill on the way from the station to the school - ＊＊＊
- Water splashes The ground pounds as the crowd cheers
Batons fly through hands - ＊＊＊
- Read books after class Yellow booms fall down like rain
Words covered by blooms - ＊＊＊
- Rhythm of my heart Its song is nearing its end
Chocolate melting - ＊＊＊
- A shower of cherry blossoms With laughter and joy
We reach out in the sky - ＊＊＊
- Like Sakura, we blum Hearts inflate with emotions
The beginning of a new story