Student Teaching Observation and Thoughts on Education in Sweden

[pennswoods]

I just completed my first week of teaching observations where I had the chance to observe my students teaching in 7th, 8th and 9th grade classrooms (the pupils were 13, 14 and 15 respectively). Some things stood out, and I'm not sure yet if I'm seeing a trend that signifies Swedish educational norms, or if this is just a few isolated cases. Some of

Comments

[pennswoods]

It depends on the uniform and the school district in the US. In places where there are uniforms, it can be an attempt to reduce gang issues and control student behavior. The uniforms may be a simple polo shirt and khaki trousers with restrictions on make-up and piercing and shoe style. It's kind of like prison.

In other places, the uniforms are more flexible or attractive and allow for individual modification. But these are usually private schools.

[winnett]

I like all the differences you're posting about. It's interesting how one country does things differently than ours. One reason I love school asian dramas.

[holyfant]

Very interesting to read. :-) The Swedish system is probably closer to what I'm used to here than what you were used to in the States; the school here aren't fully responsible for school supplies (though part of the supplies do come from the schools and pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds get everything for free) and teachers are addressed by Mr/Ms last name here. Other than that, everything you describe here is my daily practice as well

[mudblood428]

This is absolutely fascinating. (You can tell I'm playing LJ catch-up this morning, right?) I'm showing this post to my husband, who teaches high school English. I've had an opportunity to observe his classroom, and while I think his school is pretty forward thinking in a lot of ways, I find it really interesting that the seemingly informal constructs (tattoos, first names, etc.) do not diminish the authority of the teacher or have any other negative impacts. And imagine that - a lunch room for lunch only! I wish more American teachers could step outside our borders to see this for themselves.