Time Off
We go to school 9am-3:30pm. That's 6.5 hours each day. How is this different compared to other countries?
Some countries have longer days and others have shorter days. Brazil goes to school for 5 hours each day (7am-12pm) while China goes to school for 9.5 hours each day (8am - 5:30pm)
As a teacher you use manipulatives and teach students to problem solve and critically think. How do you think education is in other countries?
In many countries, manipulatives are not used and students may have a hard time taking a lesson with manipulatives seriously. Additionally, teachers are looked at as the people with knowledge and all the answers. Students are to memorize what the teacher says and not ask questions.
We practice Fire Drills, Evacuation Drills, and Lock Down drills here. What types of drills do you think other countries might have?
Often students who experience a lockdown drill for the first time are quite alarmed. This is something in many countries they do not need to practice. Some countries may practice Earthquake Drills, Bomb Safety Drills, and other types of drills.
We have 2 weeks off in December/January and 2 months off in the summer. Is this the same everywhere?
In many countries, a month is provided in the winter. They may run on semesters more like college. Some countries begin their school year in February (like South Korea).
We sit together in groups, have discussions and move students around from one room to the next. How might this look different in another country?
Students often remain in the same room all day and the teachers move around. Often there is limited discussion and a lot of lecture based instruction.
During school, we eat lunch in the cafeteria. Students can buy or bring. How might this be different in other countries?
Some students go home for lunch and come back (France/Belgium) or eat after school (Brazil). Other times, students save the lunch provided so they can share it with their families at home later (Kenya). Meals also look different. Students may not know what a chicken nugget is since they may never have been exposed to it before.
We have 2 days off each week: Saturday and Sunday. Do you think all schools have off these days?
In many Muslim countries, they off on Fridays since this is the most important day in their week. Other countries, like India only give Sundays off and go to school for 6 days out of the week.
We provide many grades and many opportunities to show what you know. We limit homework and place a large emphasis on independent reading. How might that look different in other countries?
In many countries, students are provided with hours of homework after school. They may also only have one grade for the semester.
In many schools in the United States we do not have uniforms. Students can wear what they want. How might this look different in other countries?
Often schools have uniforms for each child and they are expected to all wear the same thing. Having this new freedom of choice may be exciting for students in the United States.