Reading Back to school

Reading

Back to school - Global Style

LAKEWOOD, New Jersey. How do you feel about starting a new school year? Are you excited? Are you sad? Either way, you're not alone. Kids all around the world have their own back-to-school feelings and traditions.

For some kids in the U.S. and Canada, "back to school" means colorful autumn leaves. For others, it might mean getting a new lunchbox, paper, markers, and glue sticks. For some students, though, it's about zipping up a new backpack and meeting a new teacher and classmates.

Lots of kids in Japan think of colorful trees too when they hear "back to school." But the trees are pink or white because they're covered with cherry blossoms! The Japanese school year starts in April. Cherry trees are in bloom then. Winter is over. That's why the Japanese see spring as the perfect season for new beginnings.

Before school starts, Japanese kids get presents. These include a strong backpack called a randoseru. On the big day, parents and kids dress in their best clothes. Being welcomed to the school is a special event. New students might get to parade around. Older students might sing and clap their hands. Best of all, newbies get buddied up with older students who show them around the school.

Multiple Choice

Lots of kids in Japan think of colorful trees too when they hear "back to school." But the trees are pink or white because they're covered with cherry blossoms!

What/who does "they" refer to?

• kids

• Japanese kids

• trees

• students

The first day of school is seen as cause for joy in Germany, too. Before starting school, German kinder shop with their parents for a schultüte. That's a paper cone packed with goodies. The students take pictures with their schultüte before bringing it to school. Then there's a party at school for new students and their families. So what's inside those cones? School supplies, gifts, and candy. Sweet!

In India, the first day of school is called Praveshanotshavan. That means Admission Day. Lucky kids also get gifts. One popular back-to-school present? An umbrella! That's because school begins in late spring or early summer. This is just about when the rainy season starts.

Multiple Choice

The students take pictures with their schultüte before bringing it to school.

What/who does "their" refer to?

• schools'

• pictures'

• the students'

• parents'

The first day of school in Russia is a big community event called Knowledge Day. It's held on September 1. Students bring flowers to their teachers. They get balloons in return. In some places, Russian students start the new school year with a tradition known as first bell. An older student lifts a first grader up on his shoulder. Then he carries her around while she rings a bell.

Wherever you go to school, it's time to open up your books—and your mind, too. Then sharpen your pencil and get set for a brand-new year!

Multiple Choice

1. Students bring flowers to their teachers. They get balloons in return.

What/who does "their" refer to?

• teachers

• flowers

• baloons

• students

Multiple Choice

choose the meaning of the word.

buddied up

• to walk or march somewhere, usually as part of a public celebration

• to take hold of and raise something in order to remove, carry, or move it to a different position

• to become friends with someone

Multiple Choice

choose the meaning of the word.

parade around

• to take hold of and raise something in order to remove, carry, or move it to a different position

• to walk or march somewhere, usually as part of a public celebration

• to become friends with someone

Multiple Choice

choose the meaning of the word.

lifts

• to walk or march somewhere, usually as part of a public celebration

• to take hold of and raise something in order to remove, carry, or move it to a different position

• to become friends with someone

Fill in the Blanks

Who is the target audience of this text?

Multiple Choice

What’s the author’s purpose to write this text?

• to inform about schools in Turkey

• to inform about traditions about the first day of school in various countries.

• to entertain

Open Ended

How do German kids start at school? Give at least two examples

Multiple Choice

What’s the author’s purpose to write this text?

• to inform about schools in Turkey

• to inform about traditions about the first day of school in various countries.

• to entertain

Open Ended

In your opinion, what conclusions can you write about the way students in Germany might feel about starting school?

Open Ended

According to the article, how are back to school traditions other countries alike or different from your own?