20090904 -- The American School Environment (1)

The American School Environment

What goes on in American classrooms?

September has arrived, and students are going back to school. What goes on in American classrooms? Well, they are often student-centered, and sometimes students even help make the class rules. Students don't just sit and listen to lectures but are often involved in class discussions. These discussions help them discover facts and give their opinions.

The physical layouts of classrooms vary. Initially, student desks stand in rows. During the year, desks may be arranged in one big circle or put into small clusters. This allows students to work on projects in small groups. Elementary school classrooms contain special learning areas. A corner may have a rug, soft chairs and many books where students can go to read. Or there may be a science corner for projects. This allows students to work on projects in small groups. Elementary school classrooms contain special learning areas. A corner may have a rug, soft charis and many books where studnets can go to read. Or there may be a science corner for projects.

Most American teachers have their own classrooms. In junior high and high school, the students change classroom, but the teacher stay put. This allows the teacher to decorate the classroom according to the subject being taught.


lecture n. 授課/演講
=> a long talk
eg: We sat and listened to our science teacher's lecture on animal behavior.

physical adj. 物質的/實質的
eg: The physical arrangement of the chairs and tables looks pretty crowded.
eg: physical layout 實際的佈局/設計
eg: Inaccurate usage fo the gears(排擋) might cause physical damage to the vehicle.

physical adj. 身體的
eg: physical exam 體檢


initially adv. 開始地/起初
=> at the beginning
eg: Steve initially wanted a new car, but he finally bought a used car instead.
eg: He was initially just a bus boy who washed dishes, but now he's the owner of a restaurant.
eg: Initially, people had doubts about the new policy. Now they accept it.


layout n. 安排/設計/佈局
=> the way that something is arranged

cluster n. 群/組
=> a group of thing of the same kind that is close to together

stay put 留在原地不動
=> don't move; stay there
eg: Don't go anywhere; just stay put!
eg: Dad decided to stay put at the cafe, and we continued shopping.
eg: The little boy wouldn't stay put, so his mom had to follow him around.


rug n. (鋪於室內部分地面上的)小地毯/毛皮地毯



//== Chat room ==//

bigger picture 更廣的視野

school bus 校車

uniform 制服

public school 公立學校
private school 私立學校
parochial school 教會學校