Schools In Japan

In some ways, schools in Japan are a lot like schools in the United States. Students come to school to learn, they practice to improve their skills, and students in both places love to play. However, there are several aspects of Japanese schooling that are unique to Japan. First of all, Japanese schools are organized in the same way all across the country. No matter where you go or which level of school you observe, you'll find that children in high school use the same materials, from textbooks to backpacks. There is great consistency between schools as well. For example, high school students use the same systems for passing out papers and storing backpacks that students in elementary school do. This means that little time is wasted on transitions.

Children in Japan are extraordinarily responsible for themselves and their classrooms. Every day students serve lunch. I've included a photo of the school lunch I ate the day I visited. After lunch, every student in the school spends 20 minutes cleaning the school. I also took video of that which I'll show when I return. Students also work together in groups to help each other when someone in the group doesn't understand. They see themselves as students and teachers.

Finally, students in Japan learn the same content our elementary students do--with 40 children in every classroom. I have a lot more to tell you- I learned a lot in Japanese schools!