School life
In a Suriname classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
South America · Country briefing
Suriname
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.
- CapitalParamaribo
- Population~617 thousand
- Time zoneAmerica/Paramaribo (UTC -3)
- CurrencySurinamese dollar (SRD)
Suriname, with Paramaribo marked
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Climate in November: Dry season in many regions; warm.
The capital
Paramaribo
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes Suriname a bit special.
Central Suriname Nature Reserve
One of the largest untouched rainforests on Earth - a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Open lesson
Brownsberg Nature Park
A forested plateau where you can look out over the whole jungle
Open lesson
Paramaribo's Wooden City
A capital city full of beautiful old wooden buildings - a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Open lesson
Maroon Villages Along the Rivers
Communities deep in the rainforest with their own art, music and way of life
Open lesson
Voltzberg Granite Dome
A giant round rock rising out of the rainforest like a bubble
Open lesson
Tafelberg
A flat-topped mountain like a giant table rising from the jungle
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.
- 🐢
Galibi Nature Reserve
A beach where giant sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs
Open lesson
- 🦅
Harpy Eagle
The most powerful eagle in the Americas - a real-life forest superhero
Open lesson
- 🐢
Leatherback Sea Turtle
The world's largest turtle - a gentle giant that crosses whole oceans
Open lesson
- 🦩
Scarlet Ibis
One of the reddest birds in the world, nesting in Suriname's coastal mangroves
Open lesson
- 🐸
Suriname Toad
The extraordinary toad that carries its babies on its back
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!Dutch
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
- ℹSuriname 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
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 Suriname?
Choose Surinamewhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.