Sports Day

Korea is a collective country. Collectivism, or "groupism" can be seen everywhere in Korean culture, even in schools. In American school there's no homeroom teacher or something like that: they just move from class to class every block and they not exactly belong to a single class. But Korean students do belong to a single class throughout a year, where they stay with same classmates and homeroom teacher, and where they learn. It's teachers who move, not students. (I think it's not to make students comfortable, though. It's more like it makes it easier for teachers to keep their eyes on them.) Of course there are some "moving-around" classes, but many of the studeis are done in a single classroom.

The classes go like: class #1, #2, #2,.... And since there are 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade, (we don't say freshman or sophomores, for there's just three years in high.) There's a sort of a "bond" among graders with same number of the class. And that's how they can collaborate, on the most dynamic and enthusiasic day of their whole school year!

.....................The Sports Day체육대회 usually takes place on May. (Typically the midterm ends on the first week of May, and it's a good way to blow off their stresses!) Students do practice a lot for all the games and sports for the day----there's sure a "competition." Third graders often take the most responsibility on arranging things for the Sports Day, possibly hassling with juniors, but they're overcoming this "seniors decide everything" tradition and trying to participating equally for the event.
Along with practicing, they make an order for their team shirts. Good way to make them stuck together.

















Sometimes it's great chance to show off their characters. After all they couldn't in schooldays when they wear uniforms.












Here are some common games they do.

Rhythm Dance, the highlight of the day. In my school the first graders do. A whole class participate for harmonious work. Typical collectivisic work.

..........................................T-ball, an easier form of baseball. Girls definately aren't able to hit the ball that's thrown to them, so instead they put the ball in front of them to hit. Other rules are same as baseball.

Footbaseball, also an easier form of baseball. You kick the ball instead of hitting it. Students and teachers all enjoy it.

Tug-of-war, also the group sports. It also takes up the hugest point in a total score.

.Jump-rope, both for individual and group. As far as I know the group one gains more points.

Race for various distances. There's also a relay with a baton, most exciting of the all.

..................................Ssireum, korean wrestling. Girls hesitate to go for it, but the game itself is lots of fun.

Hula hoop, with all kinds of difficult requests. Like three steps forward with hoop, with your one leg, ect.

Guys who don't do the sports root for the team, it also counts a lot on their total score.

At the end of the game, the team that got the most points take the first place and the class is given an award.