Monday, November 21, 2011

Suetsumuhana




The text has been edited and sent to Moulin Review.

6 comments:

kristieinbc said...

Thanks for sharing this memory with us! I am surprised you were knitting/crocheting in school!

keiko amano said...

Kristie,

You wouldn't notice us knitting or crocheting from the podium. Some were very good at it. They could without moving their arms while looking at the teacher. But it was just a small project though. We did it inside the drawer of our desk or under it. But if the teacher was strict, we wouldn't. I wasn't that good, but I was impressed with some of them. I think Japanese overall then were well developed in our intrinsic muscles. I used to put my back straight against the wall and bent my knees and remain that way for a long time. People thought I was sitting on a chair.

Rebb said...

Keiko , This is a very interesting memory. It’s funny how we still have classrooms where students are paying attention and doing something else, but instead of crocheting in the back, they are on their electronic devices.

I feel like I’m there in the classroom with you and see that Sensei got your attention.

keiko amano said...

Rebb,

Looking back, I guess my school wasn't too strict. I appreciate that. Otherwise, I couldn't go to the Beatles concert.

Does kids nowadays use electronic device in classroom? It must be a nightmare for teachers. We were all obedient students compared to today's standard.

Rebb said...

Keiko, Even in community college classes I've seen students use electronics. Many teachers will tell students to please put them away but they will still use them. I think it's rude when teenagers use them at the dinner table and when they are having a conversation with someone. Oh well, times have changed. My co-worker is a CPA and every year he must take a certain amount of courses to renew his license. He tells me that many of the students work on their laptops or iPads during class and he can tell some of the stuff they do is personal, like checking email, etc. In high school I used to write and pass notes in class. But in classes like art, no one seems to be distracted and they are focused.

keiko amano said...

Rebb,

I see. Right now, I'm among only adults in the classes I've been taking, so I don't see such scene. But the noise of keyboards is quite distracting. Come to think of it, those are things I don't know how to handle as a teacher, so I probably shouldn't be a teacher. My kids get angry with me because I just bluntly say, be quiet!