What We Can Learn from Russia's Schools

Abstract

Not all the practices Ms. Post describes here could be adopted directly by American schools. But, with modifications, many are worth considering. TWENTY-FIVE second-graders stand up as the teacher enters the classroom. Good morning, children! she says. Good morning, Galina Ivanovna! they respond in unison. Sit down, please, she says, and they do, with their backs straight and their arms crossed identically on their desks. All are attentive as Galina Ivanovna begins the grammar lesson. Thus begins a typical class in a Russian school. I have taught several times in Dubna, Russia, which is a two-hour train ride north of Moscow. Dubna is the sister city of La Crosse, Wisconsin - - my town. When in Dubna, I taught English and music and also observed many classes taught by Russian teachers. I don't think American students will adopt the behavior exhibited by the second-graders with whom I opened this article. Nevertheless, I do think there are a number of things we can learn by looking at the Russian education system, and perhaps there's an idea or two we might adapt for our schools. A Typical Russian School Most Russian school buildings have a standard four-story design. Students enter through the front door and hang their coats on hooks in the garderobe, a large barred and gated area near the door that is locked during the school day. Also located on the first floor are the principal's office, the cafeteria, the gym, and an assembly room for performances and other events. In Russian schools, you'll see 7-year-olds, 17-year-olds, and students of all ages in between mingling in the halls. Each school building houses grades 1 through 11, the final grade before graduation. Although students of all ages study in one building, they are divided into three levels. Students in the primary level, grades 1 through 4, study on the second floor. They have one teacher for most of their classes but go to other rooms for music and physical education. The middle level consists of the fifth through the ninth grades, and the upper level includes grades 10 and 11. Middle- and upper-level students study mainly on the top two floors, where you'll find separate classrooms for chemistry, literature, mathematics, and the other content areas. Break Times The first thing you'll notice when you step into a Russian school between classes is the chaos in the halls. Students are running and screaming. A boy with a toy gun hides around a corner, waiting for a classmate to pass by, and then jumps out in a mock attack. Girls are jumping rope, and boys are sliding down banisters. A teacher walks past and says nothing. The students are enjoying a brief indoor recess during the break between classes. Most breaks are for 10 minutes, but some last 15 or 20 minutes to allow for a snack or lunch. While the younger students play actively, teenagers sit on windowsills and chat. Most teachers remain in their classrooms, close the doors, and prepare for their next class. Although the kids are wild during the break, when the bell rings, they step into the classroom and stand politely beside their desks until the teacher says, Good morning. You may sit down. Then they are ready to work. Perhaps the frequent, short, wild breaks help them to sit attentively during their classes. As a teacher in Russia, I appreciated having extra time between classes to erase the chalkboard and change materials and mental gears as I prepared for the upcoming lesson. In American schools, there's been a tendency in recent years to reduce daily recess time in elementary schools, and our high schools generally allow only five minutes between classes -- not always enough time even to use the crowded bathrooms. Perhaps allowing students more or longer breaks at all levels would reduce stress and improve concentration in the classroom. Schedule and Courses Russian high school students perform very well in math and the sciences. …