Supplementary Information

About Elementary School

- Elementary School System
In the Japanese school system children who have turned six years old start elementary school in April. School attendance is compulsory for all for six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school. There are both public and private schools and tuition for public elementary and junior high schools is free. Elementary schools operate on a trimester system. The first trimester extends from April to July, the second from September to December, and the third January to March. There is an approximately 40-day summer vacation between the first and second trimesters, an approximately 2-week winter vacation between the second and third trimesters, and an approximately 10-day spring vacation between the third and first trimesters. There is a set timetable for each day of the week, and Saturdays and Sundays are holidays.

- Elementary School System

In the Japanese school system children who have turned six years old start elementary school in April. School attendance is compulsory for all for six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school. There are both public and private schools and tuition for public elementary and junior high schools is free.

Elementary schools operate on a trimester system. The first trimester extends from April to July, the second from September to December, and the third January to March. There is an approximately 40-day summer vacation between the first and second trimesters, an approximately 2-week winter vacation between the second and third trimesters, and an approximately 10-day spring vacation between the third and first trimesters.

There is a set timetable for each day of the week, and Saturdays and Sundays are holidays.

- Classes
In elementary school, each child belongs to a class with a designated classroom. Except for subjects like physical education, music, art, science that require special facilities, children in the same class generally study most of their subjects in the same classroom. The personalities, aptitude, and compatibility of individual students are taken into account when deciding the membership of each class. The maximum number of students per class is 40. When there is more than one class (kumi) per grade, it is standard practice for the membership of the classes to be shuffled every two years. The classes are commonly called ichi-kumi, ni-kumi, and so on.

- Classes

In elementary school, each child belongs to a class with a designated classroom. Except for subjects like physical education, music, art, science that require special facilities, children in the same class generally study most of their subjects in the same classroom. The personalities, aptitude, and compatibility of individual students are taken into account when deciding the membership of each class. The maximum number of students per class is 40.

When there is more than one class (kumi) per grade, it is standard practice for the membership of the classes to be shuffled every two years. The classes are commonly called ichi-kumi, ni-kumi, and so on.

- Classrooms
In a classroom, there is usually a blackboard at the front and back, and rows of desks and chairs. The seating order is fixed, and is usually changed on a regular basis. Though the setup varies from class to class, the classroom has a bulletin board for posting announcements and displaying students’ work, lockers for storing their bags and other items, and cleaning equipment. It is equipped with speakers for the school’s broadcasting system, and some classrooms also have heaters and air conditioners, a television, as well as video equipment.

- Classrooms

In a classroom, there is usually a blackboard at the front and back, and rows of desks and chairs. The seating order is fixed, and is usually changed on a regular basis. Though the setup varies from class to class, the classroom has a bulletin board for posting announcements and displaying students’ work, lockers for storing their bags and other items, and cleaning equipment. It is equipped with speakers for the school’s broadcasting system, and some classrooms also have heaters and air conditioners, a television, as well as video equipment.

- Teachers
One can qualify to become a public school teacher by taking a specified number of credits in education courses at a four-year university or a two-year junior college to obtain a teaching certificate and then by passing the Kyoin Saiyo Shiken (Teacher Service Examination). Teachers are assigned to schools by the chairperson of board of education in each municipality, and they are transferred approximately every three to five years, rarely remaining at the same school for many years. The teachers’ working hours vary from community to community, but usually begin around 8 a.m. and end around 5 p.m. Teachers sometimes have to work overtime around the end of a trimester or before and after a school event. Elementary schools use the kurasu tan’nin-sei system, in which one teacher—the homeroom teacher—provides instruction in almost every subject to the class assigned. However, for the third through sixth grades, it is common for other teachers to teach the specialized classes in such subjects as music or art.

- Teachers

One can qualify to become a public school teacher by taking a specified number of credits in education courses at a four-year university or a two-year junior college to obtain a teaching certificate and then by passing the Kyoin Saiyo Shiken (Teacher Service Examination). Teachers are assigned to schools by the chairperson of board of education in each municipality, and they are transferred approximately every three to five years, rarely remaining at the same school for many years.

The teachers’ working hours vary from community to community, but usually begin around 8 a.m. and end around 5 p.m. Teachers sometimes have to work overtime around the end of a trimester or before and after a school event.

Elementary schools use the kurasu tan’nin-sei system, in which one teacher—the homeroom teacher—provides instruction in almost every subject to the class assigned. However, for the third through sixth grades, it is common for other teachers to teach the specialized classes in such subjects as music or art.

- Subjects
The subjects to be taught in elementary school in Japan are stipulated in the School Education Law. In the first and second grades, instruction is provided in Japanese language, arithmetic, life skills (seikatsu; a class that combines science and social studies), music, art (drawing and crafts), physical education, ethics (dotoku), and special activities (tokubetsu katsudo, such as homeroom activities, etc.). In the third and fourth grades, seikatsu is replaced by science and social studies, and sogoteki na gakushu (integrated studies) is added to the curriculum. In the fifth and sixth grades, there is additional instruction in home economics (cooking, sewing, etc.). (1) Guidelines for the Course of Study The Guidelines for the Course of Study set the standards for school curriculums prescribed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Each school is required to teach its students in accordance with the Guidelines and separate guidelines are stipulated for each stage of education from kindergarten through elementary, junior high, and senior high school. The Guidelines also delineate the number of units to be covered for each area within each subject and how they are acquired. (2) Textbooks From elementary through senior high school, private publishers compile textbooks that are based on the Guidelines for the Course of Study, and textbooks that are approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology are used in the schools. Textbooks are distributed free of charge for the compulsory education (elementary and junior high school) grades. (3) Integrated Studies This subject, for which approximately three hours are allocated per week, was introduced in the 2002 school year for grades three through six. Departing from the class format hitherto considered the standard, its purpose is to 1) allow the individual school to create educational activities that are geared to the community, the school, and students’ circumstances, and to 2) teach subjects that span existing subjects, such as international understanding, information/computer studies, environmental studies, and care services/health.

- Subjects

The subjects to be taught in elementary school in Japan are stipulated in the School Education Law. In the first and second grades, instruction is provided in Japanese language, arithmetic, life skills (seikatsu; a class that combines science and social studies), music, art (drawing and crafts), physical education, ethics (dotoku), and special activities (tokubetsu katsudo, such as homeroom activities, etc.). In the third and fourth grades, seikatsu is replaced by science and social studies, and sogoteki na gakushu (integrated studies) is added to the curriculum. In the fifth and sixth grades, there is additional instruction in home economics (cooking, sewing, etc.).
(1) Guidelines for the Course of Study
The Guidelines for the Course of Study set the standards for school curriculums prescribed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Each school is required to teach its students in accordance with the Guidelines and separate guidelines are stipulated for each stage of education from kindergarten through elementary, junior high, and senior high school. The Guidelines also delineate the number of units to be covered for each area within each subject and how they are acquired.
(2) Textbooks
From elementary through senior high school, private publishers compile textbooks that are based on the Guidelines for the Course of Study, and textbooks that are approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology are used in the schools. Textbooks are distributed free of charge for the compulsory education (elementary and junior high school) grades.
(3) Integrated Studies
This subject, for which approximately three hours are allocated per week, was introduced in the 2002 school year for grades three through six. Departing from the class format hitherto considered the standard, its purpose is to 1) allow the individual school to create educational activities that are geared to the community, the school, and students’ circumstances, and to 2) teach subjects that span existing subjects, such as international understanding, information/computer studies, environmental studies, and care services/health.

- Evaluation
Student performance is evaluated every trimester based on criteria adopted by each school. Evaluation methods differ from teacher to teacher, but many teachers evaluate their students comprehensively, based on quizzes given for each textbook unit and on daily conduct in class6.

- Extracurricular Activities
Grades four and above participate in club activities during school hours as part of tokubetsu katsudo (special activities). There are comic illustration, modelcraft, computer, badminton, table tennis, basketball, cooking/sewing, games, softball, science, and dance clubs as well as many others, which meet about once a month. Aside from these activities, there are also schools that hold activities in participation with the community or region.

- Extracurricular Activities

Grades four and above participate in club activities during school hours as part of tokubetsu katsudo (special activities). There are comic illustration, modelcraft, computer, badminton, table tennis, basketball, cooking/sewing, games, softball, science, and dance clubs as well as many others, which meet about once a month.

Aside from these activities, there are also schools that hold activities in participation with the community or region.

- Lessons
Many after-school schools provide lessons in hobbies and skills that, if they are taught in school at all, do not account for much class time. Recently, many children take after-school lessons in swimming, musical instruments, English conversation, calligraphy, soccer and baseball. Most children attend lessons once or twice a week for about two hours each time, but some children do both, or take several kinds of lessons, in order to satisfy all their interests. And some children don’t attend after school lessons at all. Japanese lessons have a long tradition. In the Edo Period, cities had already formed classrooms for various lessons and practices. Even today, from the time they are in kindergarten until they grow old, many people attend lessons.

- Lessons

Many after-school schools provide lessons in hobbies and skills that, if they are taught in school at all, do not account for much class time. Recently, many children take after-school lessons in swimming, musical instruments, English conversation, calligraphy, soccer and baseball.

Most children attend lessons once or twice a week for about two hours each time, but some children do both, or take several kinds of lessons, in order to satisfy all their interests. And some children don’t attend after school lessons at all.

Japanese lessons have a long tradition. In the Edo Period, cities had already formed classrooms for various lessons and practices. Even today, from the time they are in kindergarten until they grow old, many people attend lessons.

- Homework, Home Study
Elementary school teachers commonly assign homework daily in order to help children develop good study habits at home. Children take their textbooks home every day. Homework is primarily review and preparation, and the content can be quite varied depending on the subject and area of study, including long-term project assignments or other types of work. To encourage children to socialize as well as learn practical skills for taking care of themselves, students have recently been assigned such homework as "playing with friends" or "washing your school indoor shoes (uwabaki)." Homework assignments are also given for the summer vacation, which is the longest school holiday of the year. Students may be asked to write book reports, grow morning glories or sunflowers while keeping a daily journal of their observations, do a craft project or painting, or research a topic of their choice. Students in the third year of junior and senior high school have less homework because the number of students attending juku or other classes in preparation for the entrance examinations increases.

- Homework, Home Study

Elementary school teachers commonly assign homework daily in order to help children develop good study habits at home. Children take their textbooks home every day. Homework is primarily review and preparation, and the content can be quite varied depending on the subject and area of study, including long-term project assignments or other types of work. To encourage children to socialize as well as learn practical skills for taking care of themselves, students have recently been assigned such homework as "playing with friends" or "washing your school indoor shoes (uwabaki)."

Homework assignments are also given for the summer vacation, which is the longest school holiday of the year. Students may be asked to write book reports, grow morning glories or sunflowers while keeping a daily journal of their observations, do a craft project or painting, or research a topic of their choice.

Students in the third year of junior and senior high school have less homework because the number of students attending juku or other classes in preparation for the entrance examinations increases.

- Organizations of Students
In Japanese schools, each class is divided into several han (groups or teams usually comprised of 5 or 6 people), and the students function in these groups for class activities. These may consist of group-study during classes, cleaning duties, serving school lunches, etc. In addition, nitchoku (class day-leaders) or shuban (class week-leaders) are in charge of specific class tasks such as roll call, chairing the discussion during homeroom period, making daily announcements and keeping the gakkyu nisshi (class journal) for a given day or week. Each kakari (person in charge) is assigned a specific task essential to the smooth implementation of class activities. Types of kakari include kokuban-gakari (blackboard), gakkyu shinbun-gakari (class newspaper), hoken-gakari (health) as well as one or more kakari for each subject who are responsible for distributing handouts, getting videos ready, and otherwise helping prepare for lessons. All fifth and sixth graders belong to a committee (iinkai) through which they participate in school-wide activities. There are engei iinkai (care of school flowerbeds), hoso iinkai (in charge of announcements over the school public address system), seibi iinkai (care of lost-and-found items), hoken iinkai (in charge of health promotion activities), undo iinkai (planning for annual field day), tosho iinkai (management of school library related activities), shukai iinkai (leadership of school-wide meetings), shiiku iinkai (care of the animals and the animal shed), shimbun iinkai (editing and printing of the school newspaper), kyushoku iinkai (student duties related to school lunches), keikaku iinkai (plans for school-wide events) and daihyo iinkai committees (student council; deliberating matters that concern the school as a whole) as well as many others.

- Organizations of Students

In Japanese schools, each class is divided into several han (groups or teams usually comprised of 5 or 6 people), and the students function in these groups for class activities. These may consist of group-study during classes, cleaning duties, serving school lunches, etc.

In addition, nitchoku (class day-leaders) or shuban (class week-leaders) are in charge of specific class tasks such as roll call, chairing the discussion during homeroom period, making daily announcements and keeping the gakkyu nisshi (class journal) for a given day or week.

Each kakari (person in charge) is assigned a specific task essential to the smooth implementation of class activities. Types of kakari include kokuban-gakari (blackboard), gakkyu shinbun-gakari (class newspaper), hoken-gakari (health) as well as one or more kakari for each subject who are responsible for distributing handouts, getting videos ready, and otherwise helping prepare for lessons.

All fifth and sixth graders belong to a committee (iinkai) through which they participate in school-wide activities.

There are engei iinkai (care of school flowerbeds), hoso iinkai (in charge of announcements over the school public address system), seibi iinkai (care of lost-and-found items), hoken iinkai (in charge of health promotion activities), undo iinkai (planning for annual field day), tosho iinkai (management of school library related activities), shukai iinkai (leadership of school-wide meetings), shiiku iinkai (care of the animals and the animal shed), shimbun iinkai (editing and printing of the school newspaper), kyushoku iinkai (student duties related to school lunches), keikaku iinkai (plans for school-wide events) and daihyo iinkai committees (student council; deliberating matters that concern the school as a whole) as well as many others.

- School Lunches
Kyuushoku (School lunches) are provided in public elementary schools. Students eat kyuushoku in the homeroom with classmates and the homeroom teacher. Eating in the classroom is only permitted at kyuushoku. Part of the cost is borne by the students’ parents. Though prices depend on the community, the fee is about 4,000 yen per month. In 2004, school meals were provided in 99.4% of elementary schools, 82.4% of junior high schools and 70.2% of part-time night schools. Kyuushoku (School lunches) is prepared in the school kitchen. School lunches prepared at a local school-lunch center are delivered to elementary and junior high schools without school-lunch kitchens of their own. Regardless of where the lunches are made, a nutritionist determines the menu based upon the amount of nutrients necessary for the growth of the grade school children as well as the menu's cost. School lunches were introduced in the period after the end of World War II when many people suffered from lack of nutrition. Students pay part of the costs. Today the educational objectives of school lunches in elementary and junior high school are to foster proper eating habits and table manners, and to learn how to cooperate through serving, clearing away, etc. Recently, some schools have been trying to add flexibility by designating certain days as "boxed lunch days" or allowing the students some choice in a cafeteria-style arrangement.

- School Lunches

Kyuushoku (School lunches) are provided in public elementary schools. Students eat kyuushoku in the homeroom with classmates and the homeroom teacher. Eating in the classroom is only permitted at kyuushoku. Part of the cost is borne by the students’ parents. Though prices depend on the community, the fee is about 4,000 yen per month.

In 2004, school meals were provided in 99.4% of elementary schools, 82.4% of junior high schools and 70.2% of part-time night schools.

Kyuushoku (School lunches) is prepared in the school kitchen. School lunches prepared at a local school-lunch center are delivered to elementary and junior high schools without school-lunch kitchens of their own. Regardless of where the lunches are made, a nutritionist determines the menu based upon the amount of nutrients necessary for the growth of the grade school children as well as the menu's cost.

School lunches were introduced in the period after the end of World War II when many people suffered from lack of nutrition. Students pay part of the costs. Today the educational objectives of school lunches in elementary and junior high school are to foster proper eating habits and table manners, and to learn how to cooperate through serving, clearing away, etc.

Recently, some schools have been trying to add flexibility by designating certain days as "boxed lunch days" or allowing the students some choice in a cafeteria-style arrangement.

- School Events
Japanese elementary schools have numerous events throughout the year. The following list is the example of the events held at an elementary school: April : Opening Ceremony, Entrance Ceremony May : Anniversary of the Founding of the School (school holiday), Field Trip (5th grade) June : Field Day, Ward-sponsored Joint Music Appreciation Concert, Field Trip (6th grade) July : Visitors’ Day and PTA Meeting, Closing Ceremony, Summer Vacation begins August : Summer Vacation ends September : Opening Ceremony, School Visit October : Joint Field Day November : Performing Arts Show, Joint Concert December : Individual Conferences, Closing Ceremony January : Opening Ceremony, In-School Kakizome Calligraphy Exhibit February : Graduation Trip (6th grade) March : 6th Grade Farewell Party, Closing Ceremony, Graduation
* Entrance Ceremony The entrance ceremony is held in April at the beginning of the new school year. Newly enrolled students gather with their parents, teachers and others, and a representative of the current student body, the school principal, and guests of honor welcome them with speeches.
* School Excursions / Field Trip School excursions are usually held in the spring or fall. Generally, a whole grade will be taken en masse on an all-day trip to a museum or to the countryside.
* Field Day Elementary school field days (undokai) are generally held in either around spring or autumn. The entire school is divided into two teams, red and white, which compete in footraces, obstacle races, tamaire (each team tries to throw balls into a basket attached to a high pole within a fixed time period, with the team with the most balls in the basket winning), relay races, and kibasen (one member of each group of three or four students is carried in a standing position, as if riding a horse, by other group members; the riding student tries to snatch the hats off the heads of other riders before his or her own hat is taken). They also present group dances, calisthenic demonstrations, and group gymnastics performances. Parents and teachers also participate in some events. Many of the events are for entertainment, meant to challenge the wits, or demonstrate skill at teamwork, rather than to compete in athletic skills. On Field Day, parents bring picnic lunches to the school grounds and everyone eats their lunches with their families. It is an enjoyable event for both the students and their families.
Performing Arts Show At the performing arts show (gakugeikai), all the students in each grade collaborate to present a play that they have practiced together. Since many schools have a stage in their gymnasium, performing arts shows are held there. Not only teachers and students, but also parents, grandparents, and people of the community are welcome to attend the performances. Students practice for the performances during regular school hours. Since the preparation of stage props and costumes involves a lot of time and effort, some schools hold performing arts shows and concerts/exhibits on alternating years. The objective of gakugeikai is to nurture creativity and expressiveness, and to foster cooperation among students.
* Kakizome Competition Kakizome, meaning “first calligraphy” of the year, is generally done on January 2. In elementary school, the students gather for a kakizome competition in mid-January when winter vacation has ended and the third trimester has just begun. Each grade is given a set assignment (usually phrases fitting for the occasion, like “kotoshi no yume” [dream for this year] or “akarui toshi” [a good year]). Superior pieces of work are given prizes, and all of the pieces are exhibited in the school. First and second graders often use thick felt pens instead of brushes while the upper grades use brushes.
* Graduation Ceremony Most schools hold a graduation ceremony in March at the end of the school year. The content and atmosphere differ depending on the school, but usually the parents, teachers, and guests assemble in the gymnasium or hall and wait for the graduating students to enter. The program consists of such items as an address by the principal, the awarding of diplomas, a farewell address by a representative of the current student body, a reply by a representative of the graduating class, speeches by guests of honor, and songs performed by the students.

The Japan Forum

The Japan Forum