Posted in Teaching on February 16, 2012 Brian writes: Our family
is living in a small town in Normandy where our kids are
currently attending a French private school. Last year we lived
in Paris where the kids went to public school. To date our kids
have attended elementary schools in four different school
systems: the French public and private schools; an American
public school in Charleston, South Carolina; and, before that,
“mama school” (homeschooling). The kids’ having been students at
these different schools has granted us an opportunity to notice
differences between the different methods of teaching employed
in the various school systems. My wife especially, as an
experienced teacher, has noticed quite a few differences between
the styles of teaching and curriculum used in each place. One of
the most interesting differences that I myself have perceived is
that, here in France, teachers place a special emphasis on
having their students memorize poems and songs. So far this year
our kids, who are in the