In the week following the voluntary departure, my students were in need of expression. They didn't understand where everyone went and why they chose to leave. They also hadn't fully faced the enormity of the situation in our host nation of Japan. We took that time to self-reflect and impact others around us. I decided to start National Poetry Month (April) a little early. My good friend Karla is their art teacher and made surreal landscapes with them in class. They turned out beautifully! At the suggestion of a co-worker, we did Haiku. Below is the entire exhibit which included three different classes. The landscape and Haiku examples that are up close are only from my classroom. I can't help but be a proud teacher after their work and the positive response from others in the community.
Here are some of the teachers involved in this project. Everyone was invited to the gallery opening to enjoy the art, the poetry, and the cheese and juice. Many teachers brought their classes and the military reporters showed up to interview the kiddos. Awesome!
Each poem goes with the surreal landscape nearest it. I hope that you can read the words...they are powerful!
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