Kids Web Japan

The students drill each other on reading, writing, and arithmetic before class.

When the new school was built, the principal at the time set an important goal: that the students should gain a solid grounding in basic academic skills. He did not want the school to be known only for its nice buildings. Saying that what students need above all is reading, writing, and arithmetic ability, the principal introduced daily kanji and calculation drills, which happen every morning, as well as kanji and calculation contests, which are held five times a year. These activities continue today.

This is a school where fun activities take place all year round, and wherever you look the students of Shinanodai Elementary always seem to have smiles on their faces. No doubt they will use their experiences at the school to good effect when they go out into the world.