Primary School Life in Primary School Life in the USAthe USA

Primary schoolPrimary school

In the United States, we call it Elementary School.In the United States, we call it Elementary School.

It starts with Kindergarten, and then goes It starts with Kindergarten, and then goes typically from 1st to 6th grade.typically from 1st to 6th grade.

It starts in late August and finishes in early June.It starts in late August and finishes in early June.

Types of Elementary Types of Elementary SchoolsSchools

Most Elementary Schools in the US are public. Most Elementary Schools in the US are public.

Although most schools don’t have class in Although most schools don’t have class in Summer, some are “Year Round,” which Summer, some are “Year Round,” which means that you go to school during the means that you go to school during the Summer, but you get breaks during the year.Summer, but you get breaks during the year.

Now many people want to learn languages, Now many people want to learn languages, so more and more bilingual schools have so more and more bilingual schools have appeared. Most Americans study Spanish, but appeared. Most Americans study Spanish, but there are some French schools, too.there are some French schools, too.

School ActivitiesSchool Activities

Many students come to school on a yellow Many students come to school on a yellow school bus. Do you come to school by bus?school bus. Do you come to school by bus?

A Day at SchoolA Day at School

School usually starts at 8:00AM.School usually starts at 8:00AM.

There is a break around 9:30, called recess, There is a break around 9:30, called recess, for about 15 minutes.for about 15 minutes.

At 11:30, more or less, students go to lunch At 11:30, more or less, students go to lunch for 45 minutes. for 45 minutes. Children can bring their lunch from home, or Children can bring their lunch from home, or

have the lunch the school prepares. Children have the lunch the school prepares. Children must stay at school!must stay at school!

At 12:15, students return to class until At 12:15, students return to class until 2:15PM, more or less.2:15PM, more or less.

After SchoolAfter School

When students finish with class (at 2:15pm) they When students finish with class (at 2:15pm) they can go home, or stay and do after-school can go home, or stay and do after-school activities.activities.

Some after-school activities include:Some after-school activities include: MusicMusic DanceDance Sports (American football, football, etc)Sports (American football, football, etc)

Lunch!Lunch!

Outside of SchoolOutside of School

Many children play in public sports leagues, Many children play in public sports leagues, like Little League (Baseball) or Soccer like Little League (Baseball) or Soccer (football)(football)

Little LeagueLittle League Many children play Little League, which is very Many children play Little League, which is very

fun because you play with your friends, and spend fun because you play with your friends, and spend lots of time outside.lots of time outside.

You practice during the week, and play official You practice during the week, and play official games on the weekends.games on the weekends.

In-Class Games!In-Class Games!

In America, there are several games that are In America, there are several games that are very typical. They are:very typical. They are: Duck, Duck, Goose!Duck, Duck, Goose! Head’s Up, Seven Up!Head’s Up, Seven Up!

…….Do you want to play.Do you want to play

any of these games??any of these games??

Head’s Up, 7 Up!Head’s Up, 7 Up!

Seven children must come to the front.Seven children must come to the front.

All students put their heads down and thumbs All students put their heads down and thumbs up.up.

The seven children move QUIETLY through The seven children move QUIETLY through the room and each select one student and the room and each select one student and touch his or her thumb.touch his or her thumb.

After finishing, the students who were After finishing, the students who were selected must guess which child touched selected must guess which child touched their thumbs!their thumbs!

Duck, Duck, Goose!Duck, Duck, Goose!

Everyone sits in a circle. One child walks around the Everyone sits in a circle. One child walks around the outside of the circle.outside of the circle.

This child touches each student’s head and says “duck”.This child touches each student’s head and says “duck”.

The child must select one student and say “goose!”The child must select one student and say “goose!”

When the child says “goose,” the chosen student gets up When the child says “goose,” the chosen student gets up and chases the child around the circle. and chases the child around the circle.

If the student gets caught, then the student continues If the student gets caught, then the student continues walking around the circle and touching the other children’s walking around the circle and touching the other children’s heads.heads.

If the child can run around the circle and sit in the spot of If the child can run around the circle and sit in the spot of the other student, then the other student must walk the other student, then the other student must walk around the circle and touch the other children’s heads and around the circle and touch the other children’s heads and say “duck”.say “duck”.