School life
In a Sierra Leone classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Africa · Country briefing
Sierra Leone
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.
- CapitalFreetown
- Population~9.1 million
- Time zoneAfrica/Abidjan (UTC +0)
- CurrencyLeone (SLE)
Sierra Leone, with Freetown marked
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Climate in November: Dry season in many regions; warm.
The capital
Freetown
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes Sierra Leone a bit special.
Tiwai Island
A jungle island home to chimpanzees and pygmy hippos
Open lesson
The Banana Islands
Three tiny islands with coral reefs and white sand beaches
Open lesson
River Number Two Beach
One of West Africa's most beautiful beaches
Open lesson
The Loma Mountains
Home to Sierra Leone's highest peak and misty cloud forests
Open lesson
Bunce Island
An important historic site in the Sierra Leone River
Open lesson
Palm Sap & Palm Tree Tapping
The sweet sap tapped fresh from tall palm trees
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.
- 🐒
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
A rescue home for chimpanzees on the edge of Freetown
Open lesson
- 🦛
Outamba-Kilimi National Park
Sierra Leone's only national park, full of hippos and chimps
Open lesson
- 🐒
Western Chimpanzee
A clever, tool-using great ape of West African forests
Open lesson
- 🦛
Pygmy Hippopotamus
A shy, secretive mini hippo of West African forests
Open lesson
- 🐵
Diana Monkey
A beautifully marked West African forest monkey
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!English
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
- ℹSierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone?
Choose Sierra Leonewhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.