NCMSA10: Education in Japan

Education in Japan
Robert Graham, Bradley Middle School

MY NOTES IN ALL CAPS

http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/robertgraham
Click on Japan page, scroll down to PowerPoint link near bottom

Other links:
http://www.cusd.chico.k12.ca.us/libraries/elementary/japan
http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/index.html

High School
Entrance exams for high school…low scores keep you out of high school you may want to attend
Students go to cram schools called JUKU
Exam performance determines career choices

Uniforms
Shoe cubbies upon entering school…
Less focus on uniforms at elementary level
“A clean uniform means a clean heart”
Following dress code means you are serious about education

SHARING IMAGES FROM HIS 18 DAY STAY IN JAPAN THROUGH FULLBRIGHT PROGRAM…INTERESTING TO SEE THE SEPARATION OF BOYS AND GIRLS IN CERTAIN CLASSES, MAINLY PE…

Clubs
baseball, volleyball, kendo, calligraphy
100s of kids at sports clubs
3 girls in calligraphy club

IMAGES OF KENDO CLASS, JAPANESE FENCING…

Most junior high students in clubs…70% of Koryo High School in after school clubs

VERY DIFFERENT FROM US SCHOOLS IN MY EXPERIENCE…

Expected to stay involved long term to show commitment. Some clubs meet on weekends
Many boys and girls in clubs separately

Curriculum and Instruction
Most subjects the same
National Curriculum

DIFFERENT FOR US…FOR NOW…

Attend school on Saturday
Several breaks during day…10 to 15 minutes between classes…loosely supervised
Teachers change rooms, students generally stay in the same room

Cleaning
Kumi – Homeroom…develop a spirit of community and unity…one homeroom cleaned the entire school…bathrooms, courtyards, classrooms, etc…just prior to the last class of the day…

QUESTION ABOUT SCHEDULING
Time of day is similar to ours
In school approx. 240 days per year
Saturday half day…
Out of school March or April…roughly a month/month and a half

NOW TALKING MORE ABOUT GENERAL CULTURE IN JAPAN…LESS ABOUT SCHOOLS

Traditional elements of a home…
Images from a reproduction of a medeval castle

QUESTION ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION
Smaller classrooms…not a lot of inclusion…

Most remarkable part was how friendly the people were…stopped and asked directions on the street and were walked blocks by the person they asked…

No magic answer to what Japan is doing better than US…free time doesn’t answer the question…

Culture supports the schools…biggest difference…

CHECK OUT THE POWERPOINT…YOU’LL SEE THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION…DONE IN LESS THAN AN HOUR…GREAT POTENTIAL FOR A SESSION…NOT QUITE MET…