Исследовательская работа "Воспитание успешного гражданина страны в американской школе"

Parshakova Ann 8”A”

Teacher: Derjurina E.N.

Shakhunya

 2012

Contents

          Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2-4

Levels of education in the USA ………………………………………………………………………….. 4

Organization of school life ………………………………………………………………………………. 5-6

Subjects that American students learn at school ……………………………………… 6-7

Bridge between high school and university in the USA …………………………………. 8

Ready for life? …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8-10

Keeping discipline in American school ………………………………………………………….. 10-11

Extracurricular activities ……………………………………………………………………………….. 11-12

Education of young patriots …………………………………………………………………………… 12-14

Participating in the life of a community ……………………………………………………… 15-16

Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16-17

Literature used ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18

     Introduction

       Though I have been learning English for 7 years and I have studied enough of the United States of America, I don’t know much of its system of education. So, the first reason why I have chosen this theme for my research is that I would like to get extra knowledge on the topic. I am really very interested in the life of American teenagers (how they live, what and where they study, if they are successful students and what kind of school problems they face). Second, I am planning to find out if Russian education differs from the American system. Is it really easier to study in America than in Russian schools? Some people even play jokes on how simple the school programme in America is. Then, I ask myself why America is a country of successful and self-confident people who try to achieve great results. When I read books and newspapers, watch features films and documentaries, I see what role SUCCESS has always played in the life of an American citizen. What are the values of American education? Do schools in the USA prepare young people for real life better than in our country? Besides, people of older generation (my parents and their friends, my teachers) sometimes say that the Russian education has always been one of the best. This opinion is rather disputable as it arouses one more riddle: why most of Russian graduates can’t compete with foreign specialists and can’t find a good job abroad? So, I have a lot of questions that made me start my research. I would like to find out the truth about the system of secondary education in the USA. I think my research work has some practical value. It will give answers to the problematic questions that many Russian schoolchildren ask. This work can be a “cultural guide” for students and help them to understand what American school teaches children and how it brings up successful citizens.

      So, the aim of my research work is to find out how American schools educate successful citizens of the country.

      My hypothesis is the following: only school can educate a successful citizen, all in the life of Americans depend on their school years (the American success is born at school).

    Tasks:

to get informed about the system of education in the USA;

to find out how school life is organized in the USA and if school makes students respect rules and laws;

to study what subjects American students are taught at school and if students are ready for real life;

to find out if American students love sports and keep fit;

to find out how American school educate patriots of the country.

       I would like to start my research with a portrait of an ideal American citizen. What is this person like? How is he shown in classical literature, mass media, television and interviews? I tried to present it in the mind-map “A Successful American”.

       In the USA the aim of upbringing is to raise a responsible, self-reliant individual. At the age of 18 people usually move out of their parents’ house and live independently. A grown-up person who is still living with his or her parents may be considered “immature”, or «tied to the mother’s apron strings». Americans believe that all men are created equal. It means that one tends to treat other people as peers and that everyone expects to have equal opportunities to achieve his or her goals of life. As a result Americans are quite informal in their general behavior and in their relationships with other people. People of high standing can be seen in public wearing jeans, sandals or other informal clothes. Americans call each other by their first names irrespective of a person’s social position of age. When people talk, they usually smile a lot and use a lot of jargon and slang. Americans always feel uncomfortable with silence. They prefer to talk in order to fill the pause.

       Americans seem to be constantly in a hurry. They are extremely punctual and well-organized and hate to be late for meetings. They often say that “time is money”. They become quite irritated if they have to wait more than 15 minutes beyond the scheduled time for appointments.

        Americans like to be open and honest. They ask direct questions and expect “straight” answers. But at the same time, they are reluctant private life. Americans hate to argue or to refuse point blank. Instead of saying «no» directly, an American will say something like «it is not convenient now».

So, I want to find out how American schools educate such a person.

Levels of Education in the USA

There is a network of nursery schools and day-care centers where children are looked after while their parents are at work. Pre-school education is a part of elementary schools. Pre-school education is for the children younger than 5.

The school system has 2 levels: elementary school; secondary school.

The general pattern of education in the USA is an eight-year elementary school, followed by a four-year secondary school. But this traditional system has been varied in many different ways.

Usually schools are organized in one of two bases:

-eight years of elementary school and four years of secondary school;

-six years of elementary, three years of junior secondary school and three years of senior secondary school;

-six-year elementary school followed by a six-year secondary school.

At 6 years of age children begin the first year of elementary school. At elementary school the emphasis is placed on the basic skills (speaking, reading, writing and arithmetic), though the general principle throughout the American school system is that children should be helped and encouraged to develop their own interests.

Secondary schools are usually called high schools and their pupils are called students.

2. Organization of School Life

       A school year usually starts at the beginning of September and finishes at the end of June or in the beginning of July. A school year is divided into three terms or trimesters. Pupils have winter and spring breaks for 2 or 3 weeks and summer vacation for 6 or 8 weeks.

       A typical school day in America starts at 7.30 a.m. Children have seven lessons which last from 30 to 55 minutes. There are 2-5 minutes break between the lessons and 30 minutes break for lunch. Classes in elementary school start at 9.20; 12:00 is lunchtime in the lunchroom.

       It is impossible to go around a school building with a backpack, it is necessary to leave them in lockers. Americans are individualists. They consider themselves as separate individuals who are responsible for their own lives. Americans value privacy and personal space.

      Students take to the lessons only textbooks and folders for the subject. All children write with ordinary pencils as it is easier to correct written works. And they have neither thin nor thick copybooks which are obligatory in Russia. Students write on separate sheets of paper and collect them in folders.

       School timetables usually cycle every week or every fortnight. The phrase "school timetables" largely refers to high schools, because elementary schools typically have trivially simple structures.

       In America classmates are not as close as they are in Russia. American students study subjects by individual choice, so the groups always change. It’s not like in Russia, where students study together in the same group for a few years. Such system teaches American students to communicate with more people and make friends and establish relations where they are.

The system of delivery of children to school is unique. Many are brought by parents. Those who are older than 16 drive in their own cars and use parking areas. Other children are transported by buses. Yellow school buses are allocated with the special rights of traffic in all states. If such a bus has stopped, all cars behind it and before it should stop too. There is a video camera on each bus. The driver knows all his passengers. For each child the place where it will be picked up by the bus is defined. In Russia school buses aren't so popular, and a driving license can be received only after 18 years.

Subjects that American Students Learn at School

      The basic subjects studied at school are chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, literature, history and a state system of the USA and physical education. Pupils can choose such subjects as statistics, computer science, a foreign language (Spanish, French, German or Japanese, Chinese, Latin, Greek), fine arts, computer technics, and journalism. In America other symbolic in physics, maths and chemistry is used. There the British system of measures is accepted unlike in Russia.

       In the United States, students take a lot of tests each year. Teachers use tests to see how well pupils are learning at school. If students pass these tests, they go on to the next grade where the work is harder. In this way, it is the students who are tested. Now Russian pupils also write tests, though earlier to see children’s knowledge oral and written examinations were used.

      Tests also show if teachers are doing their job properly. They have to give their pupils a lot of information in each grade. If they don’t, their students may not learn enough. So, the tests are also for teachers.

      There is another special test that pupils taken each year in all the schools across the country. It is a different test for each grade. It shows which schools are teaching well. So, tests are also for testing schools.

       Most American schools give the following marks:

A : 91-100 percent

B:  81-90 percent

C: 71 -80 percent

D: 65 – 70 percent

E: 50- 64 percent

F: bellow 50 percent.

       In high school it is possible to take some classes without marks. Then the student gets a “P” for “pass” and an “F” for “fail”. Students can choose between some subjects. Each pupil has his (her) own timetable on every day. Teachers keep lists of students’ test and homework marks. They give students marks for how well they work. Then they list the students’ marks on their report card. Students get report cards four times a year. One copy is sent to the parents and the school keeps a copy, too. In Russia marks are exposed to diaries and class registers regularly at every lesson.

     The system of education in America is various and is made up for different necessities. Each student gets the real possibility to choose the way on these roads to knowledge. In Russian families adults sometimes make such comparisons: "Alla learned to walk when she was eight months and you … Why can’t you do it yet like Allochka?" Some of the Russian parents may say: "Our neighbor Igor can already read and write, but you can’t!” In American families parents never do what I have just described and that is where the secret of American education is hidden! Parents in the USA believe that God does not give talented children to all of them, that is why adults should be pleased with the children they HAVE who are always the BEST for Mom and Dad! The system of school education in America is based on this approach and aimed at positive features of every student.

A Bridge Between High School and University in the USA

     All the grades received at school by American students, without any exception, are saved in the computer and can be sent to colleges. After graduating the 12 year a student can be invited to a few colleges, depending on his (her) academic results. That is - the child still studies at school, but all the data is being regularly sent to universities.

      The system of education at universities and colleges is similar to secondary school. Here there is the minimum quantity of credits necessary to receive the "bachelor" degree. There is also a minimum number of courses (three) which a student has to take during a semester. Some students pass 4 courses in a semester, and also one additional semester in summer time. In this case it will take them less than four years to get a diploma. And for the rest - all depends on the student’s desire and life purposes as he makes his choice of school subjects independently.

      The system of education in America is arranged in such a manner that though education is paid, a decisive factor in higher education is not money, but a student’s eagerness to study! Even if the family can not afford to pay for higher education, the student can “earn” a scholarship or get a financial support himself by his good academic achievements. If neither the first, nor the second option is available, a student can obtain the educational loan in a bank - and to pay it after graduating the university within 30 years. This form of getting higher education is very widespread in America.

Ready For Life?

    Working hard is greatly valued in the USA. Americans respect doers, problem solvers and achievers. Great importance is attached to such qualities as efficiency, punctuality and practicality. Self-improvement is very important to any American. Idleness is considered to be shameful. Americans can’t afford to waste time, to daydream, or to do nothing. There are many workaholics and people who are addicted to their work in the USA. Such people think constantly about their job and feel frustrated if they are kept from it, even during weekends and holidays. Americans see as heroes those people who have overcome a great number of obstacles in order to succeed in life.

      Most young people take jobs while they are in school. Their school timetable is more flexible than in Russia and it allows them to work. They work at movie theaters, fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and stores to pay for their clothes and entertainment. This is what makes them so independent from their parents at such a young age. American children learn early that you have to work hard to win. Winning, in fact, is part of the American way of life. Americans just love competitions, even in their time off. Few people can enjoy a sport unless they are trying to beat someone else at it.

      Young people today have to fight harder to get the kinds of jobs and homes they want. That is why young Americans are more serious now than they used to be. They have less time for fun and sun these days. Now it’s all work, work and work.

     It helps to understand themselves and make out who they want to be in the future, in order to determine the type of courses and university they should choose. The law which always works in school is to help those who need. During Art lessons students make ceramics, small baskets, doll furniture, and then all of these items are sold at school exhibitions. The money earned is used for charity purposes. So, voluntary work and charitable actions are not simple words there, it is real practice! Children help people in need, but not “from their parents’ pocket”, they do things and earn money themselves.

       In the USA the words «This is a self-made man» are the best praise. People are placed in the stratification structure based on their individual merits or achievements. That’s why American students prefer doing things independently, for example, start a fundraiser. I have read about one student who placed an advertisement on a college site: “Fair Trade Hand Made Sale tomorrow in the Student Center! We will be selling Cambodian serves, bags, necklaces, dresses and other things that won’t east you a lot, but that you can feel good about owning. 100% of profit return to Cambodia.”

       So, in order to be a good American citizen you should be active in school! That means you should be in a lot of activities. It makes school life funnier and students become smarter. Students should do big projects to show other people what they can do!

Keeping Discipline in American School

     The Russian school is officially divided into "elementary" and "secondary". However, this division is very conditional, as all children - both kids and teenagers - are in one building, with the same administration and teachers’ structure. In America schools are absolutely separated and first of all - territorially. All buildings, as a rule, have one floor. Americans consider that it is more convenient and safer. "Elementary" schools are very small, cozy, they are located, as a rule, in parks. "Secondary" schools are larger.

     There is no national curriculum but in most states, core subjects are compulsory. Students can also choose options or ‘electives’. Some of the most popular of these are performing arts, cooking and driver’s education.

       At the American schools there are no rigid groups of the pupils united in constant classes which study under the general program. Students are allowed to choose courses which they like and which are necessary for them according to their vital aspirations. Each pupil has his (her) own timetable every day.

       Each pupil is under supervision, thanks to a very good organization. Here it is impossible to leave school before the end of classes. Everywhere there are video cameras. Besides, the order at school is regulated by security guards - the armed people in the civil form, but with a martial bearing. If a child plays truant without any reason, his parents have to pay 500 dollars for the first time. If a child of school age goes for a walk on streets in the day-time, the police have the right to stop the student and call to the parents. It is forbidden to hang around in the corridors during classes.

      Bringing a Walkman to school is possible approximately once a month. You should pay one dollar and get a card. That day teachers let students listen to a bit of music. Not all the lesson, certainly. Sometimes the school radio announces that today it is possible to wear different baseball hats, on another day children may put on slippers, later on students wear their fans’ T-shirts.

      American teachers do not support discipline! There is an office where 3 or 4 women work with documents, the process is computerized. Any teacher can send a student to this office, if a child has some problems with his behavior, in case his mobile telephone rang at the lessons or something else happened. After that, the office employees start dealing with the student and get in contact with his parents.

      Crimes and taking drugs are banned in American schools! Strict rules regulate all the sides of the school life: from moral issues to parking cars. A special sign next to each school declares that wearing weapons is against the law! It sounds bizarre for Russian students.

Extracurricular Activities

      There is an opportunity for the pupils to meet their specific interests in various fields and to spend their free time together. Schools offer a choice for the pupils willing to go in for sports. They may choose a kind of sport which they are keen on: baseball, football, basketball, tennis, gymnastics, hockey, swimming, volleyball, golf. Such kinds depend on the size and financial resources of the school. Americans learn sports as part of their education. They learn two or more ball games. At high school, they choose groups of boys or girls to make teams. They select those who are best at that sport.       These teams compete against teams from other schools.    

       There is a special club of girls who jump up and down and shout for their football team. They call themselves cheerleaders, because they lead everyone in shouts and cheers. They wear clothes of a special color –the color of their school’s team. The football players wear that color, too. Each school has a team color and a team name. Cheerleaders call out the team name in their cheers. They practise many hours to learn the special jumping and cheering. Cheerleading is almost a sport itself!

        At many high schools and universities there is a big football game once a year and a parade afterwards. This is called “Homecoming”. Students who graduated from the school like to return for Homecoming to see their old friends and teachers again. In the parade cheerleaders and football players walk together. The school band plays loud music for their fans and team. The parade is full of the school colors.  

Education of Young Patriots

      American students strongly believe that participating in patriotic events is a way they could be good citizens.

       Every classroom has an American flag in it. From elementary school to high school, students start each day by standing up and saluting the flag. They put their hands over their hearts and say the “Pledge of Allegiance.” This is a promise to the country. Saluting the flag helps people think about the United States and its freedoms. An American girl called Whitney wrote in her essay “What Does It Mean To Be a Good Citizen?” “One way you can be loyal to your country is to pledge to the flag with pride, knowing that we are free. Also you can prepare to grow-up and to be in the Army, to keep our country even more free.”

      As young Americans at school always remember that they belong to the USA, they celebrate a lot of holidays dedicated to famous Americans and the most special events in the national history. Among the holidays that American schoolchildren celebrate are Presidents Day and Martin Luther King’s birthday.

 Presidents Day (also called Washington's Birthday) is celebrated in the USA on the third Monday of February. It is a Federal holiday in the USA. George Washington's birthday was originally marked as a national holiday in 1885, but its date was changed by the Congress in 1971. The official US holiday is meant to honor only George Washington, but many people consider President's Day a day to honor both George Washington (born on February 22, 1732) and Abraham Lincoln (born on February 12, 1809). Some schools, which used to close for a single day for both Lincoln's and Washington's birthday, now often close for the entire week (beginning with the Monday holiday) as a "mid-winter recess".

     Martin Luther King Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. It is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. Martin Luther King was the chief spokesman for non-violent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested against racial discrimination in the federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first celebrated on January 20, 1986. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

      Unfortunately, many Americans know very little about other cultures and the world beyond the borders of the USA. They are sure that their country is superior, probably the «greatest» country in the world. Americans don’t like foreigners and they tend to think that people born in other countries are not so lucky as they are. Most Americans are proud of their political system and they believe that it has advantages which other political system lack. Democracy has become a synonym for the American way of life. Citizenship education includes lessons on the role of a citizen in a constitutional republic, how laws are made, how officials are elected, and the importance of voting and of participating in government. Schools provide activities necessary for students to be responsible citizens in their homes, schools, communities, state and nation. The best programs focus on understanding of the foundational principles of the American political system, the organization and formation of the American system of government, and that all people in the United States have rights and responsibilities.  These courses help students to sustain a democratic way of life.  

       Children in American schools learn a lot about the Constitution, the law and human rights. Pupils are explained the idea that all people should have equal rights. These rights are seen as universal, which means they are meant for everyone, no matter what their race, religion, nationality, age, sex, political beliefs, intelligence or disability are. A school teacher Chief Justice Roberts said in an interview: “A document written long before the invention of the automobile, the airplane, the computer, and the Internet may seem so old that students might think that they today don’t need to know about it. But our Constitution will only work if people learn about it and actively participate in our democratic form of government. You can’t fight for your rights if you don’t know what they are. And you can’t participate in our democracy if you don’t know how it works. I think the most important thing children should know about our Constitution is that it applies to them, just like school rules apply to them. If children do not understand the Constitution, they cannot understand how our government functions, or what their rights and responsibilities are as citizens of the United States.” I think he is right and I agree with him. He explains how American schools teach students to know and respect the law. Students must understand the history, traditions, laws and democratic processes that make this nation unique. When they say the Pledge of Allegiance, they must understand what those words really mean.

Participating in the Life of a Community

      According to American children’s opinions, there are a lot of ways to be a good citizen. One of them is getting involved in the life of a community. An ideal citizen is a person who knows what is happening in the community and takes care of it. While writing my research, I read a lot of American children’s essay on the topic “What Makes A Good Citizen?” and most of them say that they need to be involved in the community. What do the children mean? Being a good citizen is a lot of work but still kids should get involved in it. Children should help others and this is the main way to be a good citizen. For example, they can help adults clean up around the community, participate in fundraising, support local sports, volunteer in schools. I would like to illustrate this idea by an American student’s opinion. This is what Tanzie wrote in his essay:

        “Have you ever wondered what it means to be a good citizen? Good citizens should be kind to others by helping out when they can and respecting people's privacy and property; also by being kind and generous. A good citizen should be willing to help out. You could volunteer at an animal shelter or nursing home. Baby-sitting kids or even animals is a great way to help out your neighbors or relatives.  You could help out your school by tutoring, or do extra little jobs around your house to help out your mom or dad. There are tons of ways to help people out and these are just a few things you could do.

        Good citizens need to be educated about things going on in the world. Illnesses and diseases are good things to know about, for they affect many people in the world. It's also good to be aware of weather and areas where hurricanes, tornadoes, and many other natural disasters affecting people around the globe; you could find out how you can donate money or help them out. Cultures and religions are great things to know about, because not a lot of people take the time to learn about cultures and religions different than their own. History and people who changed this county such as Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Benjamin Franklin have helped this world out so much. African Americans wouldn't be treated equally as white people without Martin Luther King Jr. We wouldn't have electricity without Benjamin Franklin, and Albert Einstein was smart and came up with the theory of relativity. These people were the building blocks of America as it is today, so they are very important to know.

       A good citizen should donate to needy people, also or people in disaster areas. You can help by having a garage sale or a bake sale to raise money. Fundraisers are great way to raise money. You could also get friends or other schools get involved. Maybe have a talent show or a play to raise money. Lemonade stands are great ways to raise money, especially on a hot day. Donating clothes and items are good ways to help. There are many ways to help out people who are less fortunate than you, so get INVOLVED! Well, I hope some of my ideas as a 6th grader told you some traits or qualities a good citizen should have.”

     Conclusion

       Doing my research work, I used such methods as reading and interpreting articles, reading American students’ essays, interviewing people who know more about America. As a result of my research I have come to the conclusion that the process of education in American school reflects all the needs of American society. My hypothesis has been proved. It means that a successful citizen of America is raised at school, first of all.

      I have found out the main features of the American system of education:

-  higher education is not money, but a student’s eagerness to study;

-  children should be organized and disciplined;

- children should be helped and encouraged to develop their own interests, the system of education in America is made up for different necessities;

- American children learn early that they have to work hard in order to win;

- American school teaches children practical skills;

– students communicate easily as they have to meet a lot of new people and make contacts with them;

- schoolchildren participate in a number of events and ceremonies connected with the history of the United States, which develops their responsibility, freedom and independence;

- children love sports.

       On the one hand, Americans are individualists, but on the other hand, they can communicate and always take part in the life of the community.

      What is it to be a good citizen of the USA?

learning and developing good life skills;

obeying the law, knowing about the rights and responsibilities, voting 9as a patriotic duty!);

being organized;

being involved in the community (picking up litter in the park, educating the peers about drugs, advertising something to help raise money for a charity, informing the neighborhood about hazards);

being a good friend;

learning about the world and thinking globally.

       So, I have found out that American schools form students following the model of a successful person.

       While writing my research, I was advised to read an article in the newspaper “English”. The theme of article is how Russian students differ from American ones. The author of the article Tatiana Komarova interviewed Professor James J. Hearn who described American students and explained what they are taught at school. According to Professor Hearn, students today have more opportunity to develop themselves. In Russia many students are intelligent, but they are passive. Russian students don’t take much initiative. They are good listeners, but most of them are reserved. I think that we must be more than listeners, we must discuss the topics and share ideas more.

        As Professor Hearn said, all students have changes today including American young people. Students now are more worldly – they use the Internet and they know a lot. Students have lots of ambitions and more opportunities than their parents. IT systems are available now and the Internet is very helpful. Students are more global, they have better understanding of cultural differences.

       Professor Hearn advised the Russian pupils to develop such skills that would help them to compete in their future life and they have to be more open, active, ambitious, talkative and creative. He recommended the Russian teachers to teach children think globally and give them more information about the world.

      The aim of Russian schools is also educating successful citizens. I think it would be useful for us to change for the better and adopt positive qualities of American education.

Literature used

1. “Americans at School” by Anne Moss and Janet Williams

2. “В помощь школьнику и абитуриенту” Р.Н. Павлов

3. “A Typical American Teen”

4. “Education in the USA” by Yelena Karpenko (eng.1september.ru)

5. www.wikipedia.ru

6. Юнёва С.А. Открывая мир с английским языком. Современные темы для обсуждения. – М.: «Интеллект-Центр», 2010

7. Валентина Бакмастер, «Американские школы»

8. Михаил Чижов, «Испытание Америкой»

10. www.scholastic.com

11.”English”, the article “An American View of Russian Education”

12. “An American View of Russian Education”, T. Komarova (“English”, № 7, 2006)