The Meaning Of "OSU"

H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students learned what the Japanese word OSU means.

OSU means:

Patience - being able to tolerate a difficult task, maintaining your focus and keeping your mind and actions concentrated on your end goal as well as the task at hand.

Respect - you give respect to others in recognition of their hard work and good character and in return you receive respect in recognition of your hard work and good character.

Spirit - your willingness to press on when things become difficult; your ability to reach deep down inside and give 100,000,000% not just a hundred; your energy and attitude that just spill over into everything you try and do; your Spirit cannot be measured but it most certainly can be felt.

Appreciation - being thankful for what one has; being grateful for what has been taught to you; for and recognition of what you are capable of doing and sharing with and for others.

They also learned about the formal kneeling position, Sezia as well as the bow Ni-Rei.

21st Century Skills Addressed: Oral Communication, Teamwork, Leadership

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.

Pad Your H.E.A.R.T.

H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students learned how to hold the target shields the proper way and of course we had a little fun practicing the techniques on the pads/shields which always seems to put a smile on everyone's face. OSU!

21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.

Make Your H.E.A.R.T. Race

H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students learned about the importance of footwork in the Martial Arts. They learned three basic kinds of movement that were then combined. All footwork in Japanese is referred to as Ahi No Hakobi while the individual steps are broken down into the slide step (Okuri Ashi), switch lead or switch step (Fumi Ashi), and the rapid switch step (Kosar).

21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.

Choose With Your H.E.A.R.T.

Mr. Kimo and Sensei Jim conducted this session of H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts in the computer lab. The students learned two organizations Jersey Cares and Volunteer Match. The students are given the voting power in class, they choose which organizations we as group will volunteer for. This semester we decided to have the students write a short persuasive speech for their top choice (each student is given three votes) to be presented during our next community service class. For all the educators out there this one assignment helped to engage several 21st Century Skills including: Advanced Literacy, Data Analysis, Teamwork, Oral Presentation, Technology and Leadership.

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.

Shahad Teaches From The H.E.A.R.T.

H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools student Shahad performed a teach back for the class, helping them learn what H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts is all about. Shahad spoke about the various types of community service work the class performed together as a team. In addition, Shahad spoke from his heart about what he thought of the program, in his words "it was AWESOME!", we could not have said it any better ourselves. Way to go Shahad! We are very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OSU!

21st Century Skills Addressed: Oral Communication, Leadership

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.

Julian Teaches From The H.E.A.R.T.

H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools student Julian performed a teach back to the rest of the class by explaining what the community service part of the apprenticeship means. Also Sensei Jim gives him a few pointers on how to present to a group and keep them engaged.

21st Century Skills Addressed: Oral Communication, Leadership

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.

Apprentice Day Fair - Concrete Slab Breaking Demonstration

Round two... H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools kicked off the spring semester's Apprentice Day Fair with a bang... actually a break... concrete breaks to be exact. Sensei Jim did a concrete breaking demonstration for each group, in addition the students learned about the H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts program.

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.

Apprentice Day Fair - H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts Mini-Lessons

Ready and raring to go H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools kicked off the spring semester's Apprentice Day Fair. The students learned how to make a tight fist (Seiken), they learned how to execute a one two punch (Nihon Tsuki), and even a front snap kick (Mae Geri). Excitement was in the air as the students were having fun learning the techniques and letting out load yells (Kias).

21st Century Skills Addressed: Oral Communication, Teamwork

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.

Apprentice Day Fair - Kicking Our H.E.A.R.T.s Into Gear

H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools presented the students with a double apprenticeship! They learned how the H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts class is a two part apprenticeship, one part coming from Sensei Jim's heart in the form of teaching Martial Arts the second part being the students performing volunteer service work for organizations they vote for... in turn giving from their hearts. The students were also treated to a concrete breaking demonstration given by Sensei Jim (Featured in another blog entry).

What was truly great about this fair is that the students learned about the H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts program from former students. Dayamaris, Desiree, Edwin, Francisco, Justin, Lessly, Melissa, Shahad, Yanissa and Yessenia did a great job with their "Teach Backs". Thank you! OSU!

21st Century Skills Addressed: Oral Communication, Teamwork, Leadership

H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference.