If you’re happy (1) (Traditional)
From "A Song-book of Folk and Pop Music" by Mario Papa & Giuliano Iantorno, Zanichelli Editore, 1977
If you’re happy and you know it
Clap your hands,
If you’re happy and you know it
Clap your hands,
If you’re happy and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it
Clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it
Snap your fingers,
Etc.
Then:
Slap your legs
Stamp your feet
Say “OK”
Do all five
(1) This is a popular English song for children which is always welcomed by adults, too. While singing it you should dramatize the actions: clap your hands, snap your fingers, etc.
Education
All children in Britain between the ages of 5 and 18 must, by law, attend school or be otherwise educated in a way approved by the local education authority. After the age of 16 a growing portion of children are staying on voluntarily at school, some until 18 or 19, the age of entry into higher education in universities and Polytechnical Colleges.
The majority of schools in Britain are supported by public funds, and the education provided is free. But there is also a sector which includes public schools where only the wealthy can afford to send their children. All state schools include primary schools, for children aged up to 11 years (12 in Scotland) and secondary schools for older boys and girls. The timetable generally goes from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. with a lunch break at about 1h and a half. Many students have lunch at school because it is cheap.
Secondary schools are divided into grammar, modern and comprehensive schools. Comprehensives are schools where pupils of all abilities are educated together. They study a group of basic subjects plus some optional ones. The comprehensive system seemed a good idea when it was introduced. Its aim was to give equal opportunities to children from all backgrounds, and to develop the talents of each individual to the full. In practice, it requires talented and dedicated teachers or group guides, excellent and varied equipment, a flexible architectural structure to achieve the results it deserves to achieve. And, alas, this is seldom so!
