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Task 1. Big Picture Questions

Question 1 – Name 4 countries that have a great educational system. Based on what you learned in this course, what are 3
similarities that these countries have in common? In other words, what are some factors that have helped these countries to
excel in the area of education? 
Finland, South Korea, Poland, and Japan. These countries all have high standards for teacher education, the collective attitude
about school is that it is imperative for success, and they all have stable governments.  
 
Question 2 – Based on what you learned in this course, do you think the top performing countries are influencing other
countries? In other words, describe how the countries which are listed highest in terms of PISA scores are having an affect on
other countries? 
I think they do influence other countries. Being able to see who is coming out on top in terms of education every few years gives
countries a healthy dose of competition. Seeing these countries out preforming other places in the world makes those countries
who fall short want to improve their scores by studying the elements that make countries like South Korea and Finland have
such high PISA scores.
 
 
Question 3 – Do you think that countries who pay little or no attention to educating its citizens can/will have a negative
impact on the world in the future? Support your answer.  
I think they will. When you refuse to educate your population, you make it almost impossible to help your citizens dig
themselves out of poverty. Countries who have extremely high rates of poverty don’t contribute to the global economy and
become a burden on society. Another reason not educating citizens hurts the world is the possibility of limiting minds that could
potentially unlock new inventions/innovations that could benefit society as a whole.

Question 4 - How does education in other countries compare to the system of education in the U.S. from your observations?
I have noticed the structure of the education system is similar pretty much everywhere in the world. You start out in elementary
school, then move up to middle, and then some variation of high school. The main difference I have noticed is the attitude about
school in other countries. Some care more and some care less, but the countries that care more are the ones who are doing a lot
better than the United States. I have also noticed compared to some other countries our teacher education standards are
incredibly low. You just have to pass all your classes with about a B average and they will let you get your degree here. While in
other countries the program is as competitive and prestigious as a medical program here in the U.S.
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Question 5 - Name some populations that are denied a good education? For example, we all know based on experiences in
this class that women and girls are denied a good education in parts of world (sadly). What are other groups of people that
are denied a good education?
In certain parts of the world disabled people are denied any form of education, as well as people who suffer from mental health
issues. Large populations of people in poverty are denied education as well.
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Task 3. Group Presentation Lesson Plan
New Zealand’s Education Overview

Standard: This lesson will fulfill ICS Social Studies standard 5.1 for first grade, which focuses on building an understanding of multiple perspectives

and global interdependence.

Objective: Students will learn how New Zealand schools are set up and what expectations are given to students. They will gain an understanding how

this is both similar to our own schooling in the US as well as how it differs. Students will also learn the effect that New Zealand’s approach to school on

a broader global scale.

Anticipatory Set: We will start by asking students what comes to mind when we talk about New Zealand. Do they know any fun or crazy facts about

it? There will be a brief moment to turn to a neighbor and tell them any fun fact they thought of. We will then hand out a fill in the blank sheet to aid in

note taking. This can be completed with the help of their table group.

Direction Instruction: Students will follow along to a power point presentation using their fill in the blank sheets as a note taking guide. They will

learn how the education system of New Zealand is structured, what is expected of students, how teachers are educated and prepared to teach and finally

we’ll end on some fun facts and be asked to share with a different neighbor a new fact they learned, and thought was interesting.

Guided Practice: Students will work in their groups to fill in their sheets and will then write a few sentences about how education is similar to ours in

New Zealand and any thing they noticed that seems different. This will be a quick 2-3 minute discussion at tables.

Closure/Check for Understanding:

1. Review with students and have them give their neighbor one new fact they learned.

2. Work with group to write a short answer about the similarity and differences in New Zealand’s education.

Independent Practice: Students will complete a word search with facts from the lesson.
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Required Materials: Fill in the Blank hand out, word search puzzle, power point presentation.

Assessment: Students will hand in completed fill in the blank sheet that should also contain their short answer to the prompt.