LAVONNIE
Elementary Education Undergraduate |
LAVONNIE
Elementary Education Undergraduate |
I think I choose to teach in the wrong part of the world! After my first week of being in German schools, I've noticed the similarities and difference of the German education system compared to the NYS education system. The main difference is the amount of access that students have to the outside world during the school day. For example, students are allocated a 15 minutes break between every two periods, you would never see this in New York. These frequent 15 minutes breaks allow students to debrief and recharge throughout the day, so they can focus in the classroom. In addition, students are also given about 5 minutes to drink water and enjoy a snack. Along with the 15-minute breaks, in each classroom, there are about six huge windows which bring in fresh air and sunshine into the classroom. Also, the classrooms look comfortable like a place where pupils enjoy learning.
The school environment is more relaxed and the responsibility of learning it not only on the teacher but on the student as well. I say this because two times a week students are given independent periods were they complete work they've been working on or alternate work assigned by the teacher. I observed one of these periods, and after directions were given students did their work. During this independent time, students were allowed to converse with one another and walk around, and still doing all of this the entire classroom was doing the work they needed too. This opened my eyes in the sense that if students are held responsible for their work more often and babied less when its time to complete work independently they can without a problem. They have the freedom to make their own right decisions, which I believe is a trait that lacks in New York classrooms. Furthermore, a huge difference I've observed is that students only write in cursive [or script]. When I was younger cursive used to be taught, and if you went to a Catholic school you were required to write cursive. However, I rarely if not at all see cursive being taught in our schools in NY, and I think it puts our students at a disadvantage. Being able to write is an overlooked skill that students and adults need to have and we need to add it into our curriculum. Previously I mentioned how the school environment was relaxed that also goes for the dress of code for teachers as well. One teacher at the school explained the lack of uniform or strict stems from history when the Nazi party was in control. In order to keep the dictator feel out of schools students and teachers are allowed to dress how they want to. For example, teachers can wear shorts, a tank top, and flip flops; a shirt, a skirt, and sandals; or dresses and sandals. As for NY, teachers are required to wear a long skirt or dress, closed toes shoes or heels, and a nice blouse or shirt. Brace yourself for what I am about to type next... teachers only have to be in school for the lessons they teach! As a full-time teacher [at the school I am at] you only have to teach 28 lessons a week, and you can break it up however you want. Giving teachers the freedom to teach and not be in the school building all day can be the difference between teachers leaving and staying in the profession. I've observed German school and I clearly see the differences and I look forward to using the things I like from German schools to implement in my classroom this fall.
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AuthorHello Folks! My name is Lavonnie and I am currently a senior studying Childhood Education and Mathematics. Last summer I went to study abroad in Zambia, and this summer you be able to follow my journey in Germany. When I travel I love trying native dishes, going sightseeing immersing myself in the culture, and most importantly, teaching abroad. One of the goals for my blog this IPDS trip is to make it more animated, so I hope you enjoy as I blog my Germany experience. Archives
August 2019
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