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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Music Study

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Gagaku is music traditionally played in the Japanese imperial courts of long ago. Learners listen to this and other traditional Japanese music to gain an understanding of culture and music history. They work to identify Japanese...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Developing Writing Skills Through Japanese Folk Music

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students listen to Japanese folk songs to get inspired to create a writing piece about Japan.  In this writing lesson, students use primary and secondary sources to add information about Japan. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Song: Fireflies (Hotaru, Koi)

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the lyrics of a popular Japanese folk song to focus on the pentatonic scale and how it is used in the musical piece. English and Japnanese pronunciations are practiced in this instructional activity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Music-Some Songs for Children

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners explore songs from Japan. For this music lesson, students listen to four Japanese folk songs and identify the characteristics of the music.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kodomo No Hi: Children's Day Celebration

For Teachers K - 3rd Standards
Children's Day is a beloved Japanese holiday with many colorful and engaging traditions. On this national holiday celebrated yearly on May 5, children are honored for their strengths and given good wishes for happiness. Your younger...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Origami Paper Fun

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore the art of Origami. They listen to various stories about Japan, create Origami shapes by following step-by-step directions, sing Japanese songs, locate Japan on a map, and take a quiz.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Japanese Ghost Stories Activity Worksheet and Progress Test

For Students 8th - 12th
In this Japanese Ghost Stories activity and progress test worksheet, students respond to a total of 16 multiple choice, matching and fill in the blank questions pertaining to Japanese Ghost Stories.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SONGS IN JAPANESE

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students become familiar with the sound of Japanese by singing familiar songs in Japanese.
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Activity
PBS

Reading Adventure Pack: Heroes

For Parents 2nd - 3rd Standards
Three creative activities follow reading a fiction and nonfiction book about heroes. Scholars build hero action figures out of clay for make-believe play, explain in written form how they show bravery, kindness, patience, thoughtfulness,...
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Activity
Poetry4kids

How to Write a Tanka Poem

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Take your haikus to the next level with tanka poems, another form of Japanese poetry that regulates the length and rhythm of each line by syllables. Young writers read the explanation, examples, and tips for tanka poems before writing...
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Lesson Plan
Japan Society

Akutagawa Ryunosuke and the Taisho Modernists

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Japan's Taisho Period was a time when authors like Akutagawa and other Japanese modernists began to experiment with point of view and literary form, making the literature produced during this time period a natural choice for teaching...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Demystifying Stereotypes and Understanding Contemporary Cultures

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders compare and contrast folk songs from different cultures. In this music lesson, 4th graders listen to and list the attributes of selected Japanese and American folk songs. Students discover the customs, foods, and culture...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Music

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students experience the components of Japanese dance and music through the songs, "Soran-bushi nd Hanagasa Odon." The music is presented in relation to the country's history and culture.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tanabata: The Japanese "Wish Upon a Star"Festival

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research the legend of Tanabata in order to explain some of the astronomical findings in the night sky. The Japanese tell the story in order to explain the origin of celestial bodies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

JAPANESE CULTURE

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Japanese culture and stereotypes involving it.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Incorporating Japanese Music into the Music Classroom

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders experience the music and arts of Japan as they explore the language and culture of the country in this lesson. A variety of musical elements from the culture are demonstrated.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Culture

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the differences in the way genders have been treated in the same society over the course of a nation's history.  In this World History lesson, 9th graders study the factors that have caused changes in stereotyping...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jan Ken Pon

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore components of Japanese language, song, instruments, and music. Dotted eighth and sixteenth notes are practiced, the pronunciation of words for the song taught, and chords for tone chimes played in this lesson.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Kokoro (True Heart)" by Velina Hasu Houston

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read and analyze a play that examines a cultural defense case. They analyze case studies, formulate an argument, write about the Japanese Festival of the Dead, and answer discussion questions about the play.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Sakura Sakura" and the Kumoijoshi Scale of Japan

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students listen to a recording of "Sakura" and determine where it is from. In this global sound lesson plan, students view pictures of cherry blossoms and connect its significance to Japanese culture. Students sing the score while...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students participate in various activities which address Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In this holiday lesson, students are exposed to Hebrew songs and construct Haiku poems about Yom Kippur.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Perfect Harmony: Teaching the World to Sing

For Teachers 1st
First graders listen to music as the impetus to learn about the concept of Japanese harmony as it is understood in Japanese culture. They use the New Seeker's song, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," to compare America and Japan...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music in Japan - Fine Arts

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss various types of music. They identify and explore Japanese music, and instruments. They make a koto.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ukiyo-e

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils investigate and examine ukiyo-e, or Japanese woodblock prints, from the Edo period (1615-1868) in Japan and use this gained knowledge to compare Japanese culture to American societal trends.