Why Taiwan Honors Teachers on September 28
How do you thank someone who helps you learn to ask better questions? In Taiwan, one answer comes each September 28, when communities observe Teachers’ Day. The date is also traditionally observed as the birthday of Confucius, a teacher and thinker who lived more than 2,000 years ago. His exact birth date is not known with historical certainty.
A teacher from long ago
Confucius lived in ancient China during a time when different states competed for power. He taught students and discussed how people could act responsibly toward one another. He believed that education and thoughtful behavior mattered, not just for individuals but also for society.
Confucius encouraged learning through study and reflection. Reflection means taking time to think carefully about what you have learned and how it relates to your actions. For example, a student might read about fairness, then consider whether everyone in a group has had a chance to speak.
Many of Confucius’s ideas were preserved in a collection called the Analects. It contains sayings and conversations connected with him and his students. The collection was put together over time, so it is not a diary written by Confucius himself.
Connecting the past and present
- observe:
- To recognize a special day with an action or event.
- traditionally:
- In a way that has been followed over a long time.
- preserved:
- Kept safe or saved for the future.
- collection:
- A group of things gathered together.
- ceremonies:
- Formal events held for a special purpose.
- reasoning:
- The thinking used to reach an answer or idea.
- ongoing:
- Continuing over time.
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Main Idea
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Purpose
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Structure
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why does Taiwan observe Teachers’ Day on September 28, and what is uncertain about the date?
- 2How did Confucius connect education with life in society?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Why Taiwan Honors Teachers on September 28” is a explanatory article reading passage about Teachers' Day in Taiwan, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (462 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.