The group of 20 fifth grade students from are Okasaki, a laboratory school of 1,000 students located at Aichi University near Tokyo. Students and teachers from Burris, the state's only laboratory school and affiliated with Ball State University, plan to travel to Japan next March. During the week, Japanese students will participate in class activities, share cultural experiences, attend pizza parties, visit a soybean farm and visit area historical and museums sites. Students will live with local families during their stay. Despite the language barriers, it takes just a few moments for youngsters to make friends, Morrell said.
Boys quickly understand football and other sports.
For girls, it takes a little longer because they are more verbally oriented. They work communications through cooking and crafts. It doesn't take long for them to become close friends. Japanese students may have some difficulties with the American school system. Burris does not require uniforms, classroom are less crowded, and technology is abundant.