On May 8, we had a morning assembly at the elementary school.

This morning assembly is the only time I can directly speak to the students myself.

I decided to post the content on the school website so that parents can also know what was shared and hopefully talk about it at home.

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“The Classroom Is a Place to Make Mistakes”

Everyone, have you ever read the book “The Classroom Is a Place to Make Mistakes”?

I found this picture book in the first week of April when I was visiting the elementary school classrooms.

In Class 4B, Ms. Inoya was reading this book to the students.

I stayed and watched the lesson for a little while.

This book begins like this:

The classroom is a place to make mistakes.

Let’s all raise our hands and share our ideas, even if they are wrong.

Let’s say answers, even if they are wrong.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Don’t laugh at your friend who make mistakes.

Let’s all share our ideas,

and talk together about what is right.

That’s how we learn and grow.

If we always think we must give the right answer,

we become scared to make mistakes.

Then we stop raising our hands,

and the time just passes.

Everyone, which part of this book stayed in your heart?

For me, the first time I read it, the part that touched me was this:

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Have the courage to share your own ideas.”

When I was a child, I was often scared to make mistakes because I thought everyone would laugh at me.

So, I didn’t raise my hand.

But I think Amicus students are wonderful.

You are not afraid to make mistakes, and you raise your hands and speak out with energy.

This time, when I read the book again, I noticed another important part. It’s this part:

Let’s all share our ideas, even if they are wrong.

Let’s talk together.

That is how we find the real answer.

That is how we learn and grow together.

So, it’s not just important to not be afraid of mistakes.

What’s even more important is to think about why we made the mistake,

and to learn together by sharing ideas.

The classroom is a place where you can make mistakes.

But it’s also a place to learn.

If you make a mistake but don’t think or learn from it, and just keep making the same mistake, you won’t grow.

That’s why I, as the principal, hope that your classroom will be a place where it’s okay to make mistakes,

and also a place where you all learn together.

I also hope that the whole Amicus school becomes that kind of place.

Let’s all work together, not be afraid of mistakes, and keep learning with each other!