School life
In a Iceland classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Europe · Country briefing
Iceland
A child-friendly mission briefing for 20 November - capital, climate, school day, languages, fun facts, native animals, and five questions to ask the class on the other side of the world.
- CapitalReykjavik
- Population~392 thousand
- Time zoneAfrica/Abidjan (UTC +0)
- CurrencyIcelandic króna (ISK)
Iceland, with Reykjavik marked
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Climate in November: Cold autumn moving towards winter; short daylight in the north.
The capital
Reykjavik
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes Iceland a bit special.
Geysers - where the word comes from
The original Geysir is in Iceland - every other geyser in the world is named after it
Open lesson
Iceland's amazing waterfalls
Gullfoss, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss - three of the most spectacular on Earth
Open lesson
Volcanoes and black sand beaches
Iceland is one of the most volcanic places on Earth - and its beaches are jet black
Open lesson
The Blue Lagoon - Iceland's milky-blue hot pool
A huge open-air bath of warm, milky-blue water in the middle of a lava field
Open lesson
The Northern Lights
Curtains of green, pink and purple light dancing across the night sky
Open lesson
Viking sagas and the world's oldest parliament
Vikings settled Iceland over 1,100 years ago - and started one of the world's first parliaments
Open lesson
Tap any card to open a class-ready mini-lesson - for the teacher to walk through, or an older child to read aloud.
Native animals
Wildlife your partner class might know best.
- 🐧
Puffins - Iceland's clown of the sea
60% of the world's puffins nest here in summer - with their bright orange beaks
Open lesson
- 🐴
The Icelandic horse - small, friendly, and with a secret extra gait
These small horses have a special way of walking called the tölt - smooth as a sofa
Open lesson
- 🦊
Arctic fox - Iceland's only native land mammal
The only land mammal that was already living in Iceland when the Vikings arrived
Open lesson
- 🐋
Humpback whales off Iceland's coast
Gentle giants that sing long songs to each other across the sea
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!Icelandic
Five questions to ask
Conversation starters
- 01What does your school day look like?
- 02What do you eat at lunch?
- 03What games do you play at break?
- 04What's the weather like today?
- 05What do you wish more children around the world knew about your country?
What not to assume
Friendly cautions
- ℹIceland has many regions and communities - there is no single experience.
- ℹClimate, food, and traditions can vary widely from one part of the country to another.
Culture
Food, music, sport, festivals.
Food
Music
Sport
Festivals
Tap any chip to open a class-ready lesson - what it is, why it matters, fun facts.
Reflection prompts
- “What's something you'd love to share about your school day?”
- “What's the most surprising thing you'd love to ask the other class?”
Could your class meet Iceland?
Choose Icelandwhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.