Club
Clubs. Maybe some of my readers will remember what clubs they were a part of in school. I was part of a homeschool group and two different swimteams (not at the same time), but that's it. In Japan, club is serious. 7th grade students join a club at the beginning of the school year. They will stick with this club until after the first semester of 9th grade, when they start studying for high school entrance exams. Clubs meet most days during the normal schedule for several hours. If school finishes early, say 1:30, I know the sewing club doesn't end until 4:30. I'm not sure how late the clubs run on longer school days. And then, there's Saturdays. Yes, clubs run on Saturday mornings. There is about a month long break during July and August between the first and second semesters, and, yes, the kids are in club during part of the day. I had a ten day vacation which I spent in Tokyo, but other than that, I've worked for a couple of hours every weekday helping students get ready for speech contest. And there isn't even an English club! I was told that middle school starts to prepare students for a six day work week.
Clubs, at least some, including soccer, are open to all students. This means that if a 7th grade boy wants to join the soccer team, he doesn't have to try out. He may not get much chance to play for a while, but he is on the team. I suppose that if you required try outs, then you would end up with a larger number of non-sporting students who would have to be put into other clubs, like computer, sewing, or art, and not everyone likes those activities. This might not be a problem in a small school, but it is in a large school. They could go to Kendo or Judo, but those are sports too. And since everyone is a part of a club, there has to be room for everyone. They can't change their mind, so it makes sense to allow students the choice of where they want to stay for the next two and half years.
Club is another chance for social bonding in the school environment. Although the sports clubs in my school seem pretty focused, the sewing club or art club is much more relaxed. It also brings together students who have similar interests. And, since the school takes an important role in rearing the next generation, perhaps it makes sense that parents would want to leave their kids in school, instead of hiring a baby sitter or leaving them home alone. (And somehow I don't think high school students have the time to babysit. )
Clubs, at least some, including soccer, are open to all students. This means that if a 7th grade boy wants to join the soccer team, he doesn't have to try out. He may not get much chance to play for a while, but he is on the team. I suppose that if you required try outs, then you would end up with a larger number of non-sporting students who would have to be put into other clubs, like computer, sewing, or art, and not everyone likes those activities. This might not be a problem in a small school, but it is in a large school. They could go to Kendo or Judo, but those are sports too. And since everyone is a part of a club, there has to be room for everyone. They can't change their mind, so it makes sense to allow students the choice of where they want to stay for the next two and half years.
Club is another chance for social bonding in the school environment. Although the sports clubs in my school seem pretty focused, the sewing club or art club is much more relaxed. It also brings together students who have similar interests. And, since the school takes an important role in rearing the next generation, perhaps it makes sense that parents would want to leave their kids in school, instead of hiring a baby sitter or leaving them home alone. (And somehow I don't think high school students have the time to babysit. )
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