Observations of a Danish School

Marissa

6 years ago

The real reason I started to watch Rita was because it was about a teacher in Denmark. I’m curious about schools in different countries. For some reason the Scandinavian countries get a lot of media involving their education. I wanted to see the differences there are between Danish and American schools. This article is about what I notice or observe in Rita’s school that I haven’t in our schools. Honestly my opinions are limited.

Large Playground

The school has an enormous play area. I do consider that it could be that way because it is not an inner city school. When I was growing up, my elementary school had an enormous play area. My elementary school was rebuilt and the play area was reduce immensely. It’s a reoccurring pattern that I am noticing. I also like how the school has several windows.

There’s also a rock climbing wall

Smoking on Campus

I find this one completely odd. Smoking is absolutely not allowed on our campuses. So to see Rita smoking wherever is odd. I’m not sure if it’s not allowed or it is allowed. I remember in high school students would always walk across the street from the school to smoke.

Teacher Conditions

In America teachers get their own classroom. In the drama, Rita floated from class to class. Which also seems to be the same thing that happens in Japanese dramas too. The teacher has a locker in the staff room. I read somewhere that it’s so that teachers can plan collaboratively. Because they plan in the staff room. I can’t say that it’s 100% true because I have never seen Rita plan, but it’s a thought.

They also have this coffee mug station.

Grades

The school is K-9. Hjørdis and Rita are on this 4th and 9th grade team. They teach both 4th and 9th grade. I think it’s strange to put the two grades together. I don’t have much to say about it except that it’s strange.

Common Area

Bean Bag Mountain!!!

The common area is the coolest of them all. I think it’s a place where students can go to relax and finish their work. It consists of a cafe, computers, and a giant bean bag mountain! That’s the coolest part. The area is also used for assemblies and they used it for the talent show Hjørdis planned.