A day at an elementary school in Kyoto

Summary

This video takes viewers inside Nishin Central Elementary School in Kyoto, Japan, highlighting the daily routine of students. From walking to school with the help of community volunteers to attending classes, students engage in a balanced day filled with learning, physical activities, and cultural practices. They take part in unique traditions, such as serving lunch to one another and cleaning their entire school, while also practicing important life lessons like gratitude. The video offers a glimpse into the educational system in Japan, focusing on community involvement, cultural heritage, and the emphasis on responsibility and respect.

Takeaways

• 😀 Students in Japan typically walk to school, and community volunteers help children cross the street safely.
• 😀 Brightly colored hats are worn by children to ensure they are visible to drivers.
• 😀 School rules and goals are displayed prominently in the classroom for students to see.
• 😀 Nishin Central Elementary School emphasizes teaching students about Kyoto's silk manufacturing heritage.
• 😀 Students take off outdoor shoes and put on indoor shoes upon entering the school, with their backpacks stored in cubbies.
• 😀 School starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:00 PM, with younger students typically leaving earlier.
• 😀 Lunchtime is a communal experience where students eat in the classroom with their teachers and even take turns serving the food.
• 😀 The meal consists of rice, okazu (side dish), soup, and milk, with specific placement rules for each item on the tray.
• 😀 After lunch, students brush their teeth, clean up the classroom, and recycle their milk cartons.
• 😀 Students participate in various fun activities during recess, like jump rope and unicycling.
• 😀 Students clean the entire school, including classrooms, hallways, and bathrooms, as part of their daily routine.

Q & A

What is the first thing students in Japan do when they arrive at school?

When students in Japan arrive at school, they are greeted by their teachers, and community volunteers help them cross the street safely. They wear brightly colored hats to make them visible to drivers.

How do students in Japan learn about their cultural heritage?

At Nishin Central Elementary School, students learn about Kyoto’s most famous industry, silk manufacturing, through a Loom, which is part of their cultural education.

Why do students at Nishin Central Elementary School change shoes?

Students in Japan change from their outdoor shoes to indoor shoes when they arrive at school. This is done to maintain cleanliness in the school, and backpacks are also stored in cubbies.

What is the typical school schedule at Nishin Central Elementary School?

School starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:00 PM. Younger students usually go home earlier, while older students often stay for after-school activities.

What is unique about lunchtime in Japanese schools?

In Japanese schools, students eat in the classroom with their teachers. They also take turns serving lunch. The lunch consists of rice, milk, and other dishes such as ground chicken, green beans, tofu, and soup.

What is 'okazu' in a Japanese school lunch?

'Okazu' is the dish that accompanies rice in a Japanese school lunch. It could be ground chicken with green beans and tofu, as seen in this script.

Why is the arrangement of food on the tray important in Japanese schools?

In Japanese schools, the arrangement of food on the tray follows a specific order. Milk is placed in the upper left, okazu in the upper right, rice in the lower left, and soup in the lower right. This is an important cultural aspect of meal presentation.

What happens after lunch in Japanese schools?

After lunch, students in Japan clean up their dishes, recycle milk cartons, and even brush their teeth as part of their routine. This teaches responsibility and cleanliness.

What types of activities do Japanese students engage in during recess?

During recess, Japanese students enjoy various activities such as jump rope, double Dutch, and even riding unicycles. These activities are a part of their physical education.

How do Japanese students contribute to the maintenance of their school?

In Japanese schools, students take part in cleaning the entire school, including the classroom, hallways, bathrooms, and outdoor areas. This practice promotes teamwork and responsibility.