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Education system: Japanese children are required to complete nine years of education (six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school). Almost all students (97% in 2002) go on to high school. >> more info
A typical Japanese meal:
Typical weekly schedule for sixth graders: >> more info
| Period | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Science | Japanese | Home economics | Art | Social studies |
| 2 | Science | Math | Math | Art | General studies |
| 3 | Physical education | Music | Physical education | Math | Math |
| 4 | Math | Social studies | Japanese | Social studies | Japanese |
| Lunch | |||||
| 5 | Japanese | General studies | Music | Japanese | Ethics |
| 6 | General studies | Club and committee meetings |
(Students generally begin learning English in middle school.)
>> more info
Each elementary school gets to decide how to use the "general studies" period. Some schools use this time slot for English instruction.
Special days in the life of elementary school students (the Japanese school year starts in April):
| Month | School calendar | General calendar for kids |
|---|---|---|
| April | Start of new school
year School entrance ceremony |
|
| May | School picnics and excursions | Children's Day |
| June | ||
| July | Start of summer vacation School camp |
Tanabata Festival |
| August | Summer break (6 weeks) | Swimming at the beach; fireworks; Bon holidays |
| September | Start of second trimester Swim meets |
|
| October | School sports day | |
| November | School festival | Shichi-go-san ceremony |
| December | Winter break (2 weeks) | Christmas |
| January | Start of third trimester First writing of the new year contest |
New Year |
| February | Setsubun (Bean-throwing ceremony) | |
| March | Graduation Spring break (2 weeks) |
Hina Matsuri (Girls' Festival) |
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