Today, we visited Tomioka Elementary and Junior High School and conducted a physical fitness test. Continuing from last time, we studied English on the bus on both the trip there, and back. In English, we talked about colours, and formed pairs to play a game of guessing the identity of a certain thing, based on English hints.

We finally arrived at Tomioka Elementary and Junior High School. After saying hello, we immediately divided into lower and upper grades, and took the physical fitness test. We did the 50m run, and shot put in the schoolyard, and long jump and sit-ups in the gymnasium.

The students from Tomioka also went to the gym during their break between second and third period. They played dodgeball with us and some rode unicycles. Everyone at Tomioka is very good at dodgeball, and everyone showed off their agile movements. However, when they threw the ball at the children of Yumenomori, we could feel their compassion.

At the end, all the students gathered in the gym, and performed the last competition shuttle run. A shuttle run with 1st to 9th grade students is a rare occurrence. The physical education designer was in charge of the pacemaker, and we ran while watching the pace. As the number of children who continued running decreased, many people cheered them on, saying "Do your best!" and "You'll make it!"

After all the competitions were over, I said "Raise your hands if you're tired!" Thank you for your hard work!

[2nd and 3rd grade students]
Continuing from last week, when we explored the town. The student from Kusunoki class also explored with us. Today, we visited Mr. Watanabe, the former mayor of Okuma. We exchanged business cards and handed out a leaflet to announce the new sports event scheduled to be held on the 27th of this month. The children were fascinated by the large garden.

Continuing from last time, we visited Mr. Matsunaga's house, where he showed us a flounder! Surprised to see raw flounder for the first time in our lives, we put on gloves and tried to lift it.

When we went down the long stairs near the bamboo grove, a river was flowing. When we asked Mr. Matsunaga about it, he said that he could catch crabs, so he showed us some crabs he had caught. We didn't find any in the river, but the 2nd grade students know this place. "It's a secret base for the second-year students only," a student said as they walked around the secret place. The river was so cool and cozy.

On the way home, we all sang the Yumenomori song. Even the children who don't usually sing joined in "Yay!" We are happy that the children are able to experience a lot of things of course, and the explored area is increasing. We would like to increase opportunities to visit the community, even with the other grades.