During my first week in a German classroom, I noticed every little thing that was different than the classroom that I have grown comfortable with in America. This past week I started to understand why.
I have to wonder how much curriculum and assessments play a role in accounting for the differences between the school systems. Both curriculums emphasize problem-solving. I have found that America interprets problem solving to be academic, and we stress inquiry and critical thinking. I have seen problem-solving to be emphasized most in social situations in Germany. Every Friday the class engages in a "Class Council," in which they talk about issues that have arised in the class during the week, problems, and solutions. Could this difference be explained by the focus of assessment in America? There is so much focus on meeting standards and the end-of-year assessment in America. There has to be because this is how students' and teachers' performance is measured. There is not so much stress on assessment here. When I talked to my teacher about the subjects that I would teach while in Germany, there was leeway. It was not a big deal if it was not in the German curriculum because as my teacher said, "it is good for them to learn from you." Students take two math tests each semester and otherwise are just monitored by the teacher through their weekly workload and other assignments. In 2nd and 3rd grade students take a Hamburg-wide end-of-grade assessment, but otherwise teachers have freedom to assess in whatever way they please. It is important that teachers do monitor their students, especially in the fourth grade, because at the end of this year students will be recommended to go to one of two schools: gymnasium, which prepares students for university, or a more vocational-focused school.
I would love to hear all of your thoughts as well, so please feel free to comment below. :)