10. Ukrainian and American students are more alike than different. They watched the presentation the JSEC 11th grade AP English class prepared, which included their favorite sayings, school cliques, and global issues of concern. Ukrainian students also identified themselves as a "geek" or "hipster" and were concerned about global climate change, poverty, and global security.
9. Teachers are overworked everywhere!
8. Diversity is universal. At JSEC we are multi-lingual and multi-ethnic. So are Ukrainian students: they speak at least two languages at home (Russian and Ukrainian) and are culturally diverse - Ukrainian, Georgian, Russian, Tartar, and Armenian are a few of the cultures found in the hallways at Gymnasium #9.
7. JSEC students don't have enough passing time (your counterparts have 10 minutes between classes).
6. JSEC students should read more - in more than one language. Ukrainians are readers: Gymnasium #9 students are reading in 4 languages (Ukrainian, Russian, English, German). 11th Form students gave presentations today about Langston Hughes and a science fiction writer named Clifford Donald Simak. Other favorite writers of theirs include Lillian Hellman and John Updike.
5. Ukrainian students have "fire" drills, too. They are called "civic defense training" drills and they must leave the building wearing masks. Here you can see that not all students follow directions!
3. Flexibility is a plus when teaching - anywhere.
2. "Nerd" is a universally understood word.
And (drum roll, please)...The Number 1 Lesson I've learned so far is...
1. Even students in the Ukraine text during class.
Question: What would you like to learn from Ukrainian students?
This is such a great way to share your experiences & findings from today!
ReplyDeleteDo they enjoy being in school? What do they see and where do they see themselves a couple of years from now?
ReplyDeleteYes, most seem to enjoy school. It's a huge part of their culture/community. I get the sense that most, if not all, students intend to study at college - languages, business, and law seem to be targeted courses for further study.
DeleteI love #1. I wish it wasn't so common though.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Barnes!!! I am writing from your block 3 class on Tuesday. We just read your blog posts together. Here is what the students would like to know: When do the students begin to learn English? What subjects to they take in school? Do they take the same content classes that we do? What did the students say about the cards that we sent? What is teenage life like compared to American teenagers? For the "firedrill" where do the masks come from? Do students have them all the time? Your students found it amusing that the students there texted as well! OK, going to lunch now we will check back during the week. Have a great time!!
ReplyDeleteHello Block 3! I miss you and hope you're doing a great job for Ms. Lallo and your substitute. So, here are your answers: Students at this school begin English classes in the first grade, so they have a great advantage. Other subjects are the same as yours - history, biology, physics - but they also take literature classes in their native Ukrainian and Russian languages, as well as in German. Teenagers have the same interests throughout the world - music, sports, friendships. But, these students spend more time with extracurricular activities. There are special after school clubs they attend and include clubs for physics, languages, dance, the arts and many more. So, they don't spend a lot of time watching TV. I'll have to ask Marina about the masks, but I think the teachers gave them out before the drill. Alright - have a great week and keep the questions coming.
DeleteFabulous blog Polly. What is homework like for them? How much time per evening? Do they take issue with "weekend" assignments? Parental support - PTO/A?
ReplyDeleteGreat questions. I don't have answers pertaining to homewok just now but will ask my mentor teacher - and the students - tomorrow. However, I have noticed that parental support is huge. Education is a cultural value in the Ukraine and parents even pay a monthly fee to help supplement the school (eventhough this is a public school).
DeleteI asked a few students how much time they devote to homework: the 10th form students said they normally do homework after dinner, from about 7 to 11 pm - sometimes longer. So, about 4 hours per night. In terms of PTO - there is a group that meets (school 'soviet) several times a year. Parents, teachers and administrators discuss many issues, but mainly discuss budget concerns.
DeleteHello Mrs Barnes. This is your Block 4 class and we just read your blog. We have a few questions we wanted to ask about the school. How many periods do the students have in a day? How many languages can the students study in school? Do they have English class and how long do they study it for? What are the requirements for graduation? What are the houses like? Jelsyn and Yanscourt want to say " Hi." and want to know if you are having a good time over there. What is the family life like over there? What kind of sports are played and are there P.E. classes? Take care and see you soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Jelsyn, Yansourt and everybody else in Block 4! I miss you, too. So, here are your answers: High school kids take 7 or 8 classes a day, between 8:30 and 3:00. Then, many take extra classes after school to help support their learning. One student, Dima, goes to school after school and studies: physics, math, Russian and yoga (one class every day). Elementary students learn Ukrainian, Russian and English every day, starting in the first grade. At grade 5 they add German class. The houses seem modest; many families live in small apartments. There is a P.E class twice a week and the favorite sports are soccer, basketball, volleyball and badmitten. So, it's a lot like your PE classes. Great questions - see you soon.
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