Teaching ideas for Japanese
FESTIVALS & CULTURE
Arts, crafts, songs, dances, games, teaching ideas, lesson ideas, worksheets for festivals and special occasions in Japan.
- Christmas and New Year (December)
- Genbaku anniversary (Hiroshima atomic bomb) 6 August
- Hanabi (Summer fireworks) July to August
- Hina matsuri (Girl's day) 3 March
- Kodomo no hi(Children's day) 5 May
- Obon (Spirit festival) 13 to 16 August
- Otsukimi (Moon viewing festival) September and October
- Seijin no hi (Coming of Age day) 15 January
- Setsubun (Bean throwing festival) 3 February
- Shichi go san (Happiness and health day) 15th November
- Taiiku no hi (Sports day) 2nd Monday in October
- Tanabata (Star festival) 7 July
- Valentines Day 14 February
- White Day 14 March
Useful culture related pages
- Haiku
- Hiroshima
- Housing in Japan
- Manga
- Onomatopoeia and Idioms (Kotowaza)
- Origami and Kirigami
- Poetry
- Stories
- Tongue twisters
Assignments and Assessment tasks
Culture investigation assignment
Ss research a cultural topic of their interest then write a feature article for a travel magazine. Ss also need to create a model of their topic and present it to the rest of the class. Donated by D Desiatnik
|
Culture research assignment
Ss research a cultural topic of their interest and then write a poster, pamphlet or PowerPoint presentation on the topic. Optional extension activity of making a diorama or writing a presentation related to the researched topic. Donated by M Jones
|
Facts about Japan assignmentSs create an A4 poster about two interesting Japanese FAQ.
Donated by M Boliancu
|
Glogster online poster assignment
Ss create an online poster using Glogster (www.glogster.com) on a Japanese cultural topic then present it to the class. Donated by H Yuan.
|
Booklets
Japanese culture booklet
Booklet with exercises in English/Romaji relating to various Japanese cultural events including New Year, Coming of age day, Setsubun, Hanami, Hina matsuri, Children's day, Tanabata, Respect for the aged day, Shichi-go-san, and Omisoka. Donated by Janine
|
Calendars and lists of Japanese festivals
Calendar - festivals and events
Month by month calendar listing special events and festivals held in Japan.
|
Summary of festivals and events
Lists briefly the main festivals and events in Japan each year. Donated by N McCarthy
|
Flashcards
Japanese garden vocabulary
Flashcards of Japanese garden vocabulary. Donated by L Murphy
|
Games and in class activities
Culture karuta
Laminate and cut a class set of these karuta cards. Give each pair of students a set of culture karuat. Student discuss and learn about each basic Japanese cultural items such as samurai, shinkansen, manekineko etc. Donated by D Paxton
|
Culture Scavenger hunt
Print and laminate each cultural information card (these can be edited to suit any topic ie sport, food, kana etc). Before the lesson place them around the school on buildings in many different locations. Some easy to find, some hard to find. Divide the class into small groups and give each Ss a copy of the scavenger hunt record form. Ss go around the school and find the information cards and complete their scavenger hunt forms. The first group back to the class with the correct answers and fastest time is the winner. Donated by Allira
|
Cultural Sequence (in Japanese)
Each student is given a culture card.On top of the card is an answer答え and on the bottom of the card is a question 質問. Each answer and question is in sequence. Students have to go around the class and try and work out where they sit within the sequence. At the end of the activity there should be one long line and flow of questions and answers relating to Japanese culture. Donated by C Krause.
|
Japanese cultural day activities
A list of various activities from primary to secondary school. Donated by T Barlow
|
Quiz - 20 questions
Before class create a few sets of maru/batsu flashcards. Select some students to come to the front of the classroom. Give each student a set of maru/batsu cards. The teacher asks the questions and these students flash the maru/batsu card accordingly. OR as a whole class, students can make maru/batsu gestures with their hands for each question. Answers included. Donated by K Swan
|
PowerPoints
Annual events in Japan
PowerPoint with pictures of annual events and festivals in Japan. Donated by K Huff
|
Basic culture
PowerPoint introducing basic culture information about shoes, bathing, bedding and spirital beliefs. Donated by Sarah
|
Basic information about Japan 1
PowerPoint introducing information about Japan including map, islands, flag, major cities, famous landmarks, clothes, sport, art, food, symbols of Japan and festivals. Donated by K Hodgson
|
Basic information about Japan 2
PowerPoint introducing basic information about Japan including map, flag, number of islands, food, currency and sports. Donated by A Yamamoto
|
Basic information about Japan 3
PowerPoint introducing basic facts and cultural information about Japan.
|
Brands and Japanese companies
PowerPoint introducing popular Japanese brands. Donated by H Butler
|
Calligraphy
This powerpoint introduces shuuji and shodou. It discusses ‘kakizome’ the first calligraphy of the year. This PowerPoint has a 2014 theme: ‘kotoshi no kanji’ of 2013 and the uma for 2014 Year of the horse. It includes information and links about performance shodou. Donated by K Kirkpatrick
|
Chindougu 1
Powerpoint introducing Chindougu to students. After discussing a few example inventions, students are then required to create their own 'unuseless' invention using household products. Students can then either make a print or TV advertisement to promote the invention. (Chindogu are not usually for sale, but by having the students 'sell' their inventions they can use learnt phrases regarding descriptions, exclamations, money etc.) Donated by C Mcnamara
|
Chindougu 2
PowerPoint with 45 slides of Japanese Chindougu inventions. Used for promoting discussion of the value of such inventions. Donated by Tony
|
Daruma
PowerPoint introducing Daruma including origins and uses today. Note: Worksheet to accompany this PowerPoint can be found in the 'Worksheets' section below. Donated by K Hodgson
|
Festivals in Japan
PowerPoint introducing the main festivals in Japan including Seijinnohi, setsubun, Valentines day, White day, Hina matsuri, Kodomonohi, Tanabata, Ocean day, Obon, Christmas, New Year (and more). Donated by C Krause
|
Festivals in Japan 2
PowerPoint introducing briefly the main festivals in Japan. Students then learn how to say when festivals occur in Japanese. Created by I Foley.
|
Festivals in Japan 3
PowerPoint introducing the main festivals in Japan. Includes a brief description in English, dates in kanji, and festival names in hiragana. Created by S Alexander
|
Gestures in Japan
PowerPoint comparing Japanese gestures to Western gestures. Donated by A Burobina.
|
Get it right - miscommunication
Powerpoint introducing the importance of translating correctly and the consequences of miscommunication. Donated by R Power
|
Hachiko
PowerPoint introducing the story of Hachiko, Japan's most famous dog. Donated by J Chalmer
|
Hachimaki
PowerPoint introducing the hachimaki (worn at sport events) and its origins. Donated by R. Mc Gowan
|
Inkan
PowerPoint introducing the inkan, its origins, its uses, comparison to stamps. Includes a craft activity where students make their own inkan 'name' stamp from an eraser. Donated by Yuki Osuki
|
Interesting Japan
PowerPoint introducing the weird, wonderful cultural things of Japan such as square watermelons, cat cafes, Hello Kitty, Harajuku fashions etc. Donated by N Sekiya
|
Interesting Japanese things
PowerPoint where students brainstorm things they know about Japan and then through answering questions and guessing students learn about some more unusual Japanese things such as square water melons, cat cafes, food replicas, rice paddy art, emoticons, vending machines and superstitions. Created by I Foley.
|
Jidouhanbaiki (jihanki)
PowerPoint introducing the Japanese vending machines. Includes instructions in Japanese on how to use them and 'what is this' 'how much is it' roleplays. Donated by A Ward
|
Jidouhanbaiki 2
PowerPoint showing various types of vending machines including brief descriptions of the 'Sake' pass and 'Taspo' pass (20+ cards). Created by I Foley
|
Kabuki
PowerPoint introducing Kabuki including description, history, kabuki masks, images and facts. Donated by Y Dodd
|
Maneki Neko
PowerPoint introducing Maneki Neko including description, facts and images. Donated by H Na.
|
Mizuhiki - Paper cords
PowerPoint introducing Mizuhiki including description, facts such as history and use, images, video, how to tie mizuhiki basic knot. Donated by T White
|
Ninjas
Powerpoint introducing some basic information about Ninjas such as where they came from, purpose of ninjas, nightingale floors etc. Includes a group activity where students learn various things about Ninjas and present this information to the rest of the students. Donated by C Douglas
|
Oni
PowerPoint introducing Oni including description, connection to Setsubun and children's stories such as Momotaro. Donated by K Hodgson
|
Pet cafes - ペットカフェー
PowerPoint introducing various types of pet cafes. Includes reflection and discussion quesitons. Donated by K Kirkpatrick
|
Puppetry - bunraku
PowerPoint introducing students to Japanese puppetry (bunraku). The PowerPoint explains the origins of the old art form it includes example Youtube videos and finishes with the story of the Mouse’s Wedding. The students then design a stage backdrop that could be used for the Mouse’s Wedding. Donated by R Martin
|
Religions of Japan
PowerPoint introducing the various religions of Japan including Buddhism and Shintoism. Donated by Joyce
|
Sakura
Powerpoint introducing the sakura, its significance, blossoming patterns, and some information about Hanami. Includes a craft activity. Donated by J Silvy
|
Samurai
PowerPoint introducing the brief history of the Samurai including pictures of swords, armour, helmets and kimono. Donated by A Akerman
|
Shodou
PowerPoint introducing the basics of shodo and the equipment used.
|
Sumo
PowerPoint introducing facts about Akebono (Chad Rowan) a Hawaiian born grand sumo champion. Donated by R Jensen
|
Sumo explained
PowerPoint explaining the main points of sumo wrestling including the sumo calendar, divisions, income, pre bout rituals, how to win, the physique, encouragement money, tournament prize money, and the bow twirling ceremony. Donated by A Christensen
|
Tea ceremony
Picture of the tea ceremony and utensils used. Description in Japanese of the Tea Ceremony. Donated by: M Kokhreidze
|
Teru Teru Bozu
PowerPoint introducing the basics of teru teru bozu. Includes the Teru teru bozu song and a craft activity. Matching worksheet: http://www.japansociety.org.uk/rsn/lessons/resources/teruterubozu.pdf Donated by J Hwang
|
Visiting a temple or shrine
PowerPoint describing in English what to do when visiting a shire including cleansing through sacred water, burning incense, blowing smoke; attracting the attention of the gods; wish boxes, lucky tokens and charms etc.
|
Whaling (Hogei)
PowerPoint introducing the topic of whaling in Australia and Japan from a historical view point. Written in hiragana. Includes a quiz. Donated by E Kato
|
What do you know about Japan?
Powerpoint used to stimulate discussion and introduce basics about Japan including food, anime, famous attractions, culture, why study Japanese?, creative inventions, Donated by E. Kuo
|
Yurukyara
PowerPoint introducing the concept of Yurukyara. Students then research the various Yurukyara and create their own Yurukyara and present it to the class. Donated by C Newnham
|
Quizzes
Cultural items quiz
PowerPoint where students are shown a cultural item and must guess what they are. Includes short explanations of each item. Donated by Wika Elfayanti
|
Japanese things
Basic quiz about Japanese things ideal for primary level. Donated by S Taku
|
Japan trivia - quiz
Trivia quiz on everything Japan and Japanese. The trivia game is split into seperate year levels - primary, year 8, year 9, year 10 and also years 11 and 12. Includes score sheet. (Large interactive quiz with a total of 262 slides). Donated by A Kisara
|
What do you already know? - quiz
Basic quiz about Japan and Japanese things prompting students to think about what they already know about Japan. Donated by P Okubo
|
Videos
Daruma Song
Use this song as a game where 2 students make funny faces at each other at the front of the class when the teacher and other students chant the song, the student who laughs first loses: "Daruma san, Daruma san, Niramekko shimashou, Warau to make yo... A pu pu!" (Daruma San, let's play a staring game, if you laugh, you'll lose!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyVb_UkJbbU |
|
Ernie's journey to Japan
Video introducing Japan and some basic culture. Ernie goes to Japan and learns a few words of Japanese, sees a pagoda, a torii gate, and a rock garden. Ernie learns how to make an origami elephant, flower, and dog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOqcVz6f8pA |
|
How to use the Japanese toilet
Skit on the Japanese squat style toilets and 'intelligent' toilets. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW_EI1DO3Mk |
|
How to videos
Various videos on how to do things in Japan including: going to Onsen, using a taxi, going to the beach, Hanami, enjoying sumo, enjoy Mt Fuji. http://www.youtube.com/user/legonjapan/videos |
Hyogo Boys - 'Cultural differences'
Series of manzai (Kansai style stand up comedy) videos and scripts on various topics including: directions, cultural differences, food, gifts, hobbies, keeping a diary, aisatsu (itadakimasu), weather, where are you from. Includes a sample lesson plan. (Available from right hand side of main page.) http://hyogo.com.au/index.htm |
Lady Gaga Telephone Cover
Team Kozan perform Lady Gaga's Telephone using Koto and Shakuhachi. Performed with dancers in Kimono's in front of the Suga Shrine in Shinjuku. Use this video to introduce students to the topic of Japanese traditional instruments. (See worksheet below about Koto and other traditional instruments.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ06aVZpGYA |
|
Manners
Video describing what role Japanese schools play in encouraging good manners and an attitude of respect for others. http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/videos/watch-video.aspx?id=1733 |
Websites
Art webquest |
Canon paper craft
Free to download paper craft ideas for Japanese festivals and much more. http://cp.c-ij.com/en/event/festival/japan/?log=m01 |
Click Japan
Full lesson plans on various Japanese things including: Shodo, fashion, the environment, cell phones, dreams, career planning, games, photography, animals, robots, traditional games, and convenience stores. http://www.tjf.or.jp/clicknippon/en/activity/index.html |
Culture explained in English
Detailed English explanations and information on Japanese culture and history. Such as kabuki, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, woodblock prints, flower arranging etc. etc. http://www.csuohio.edu/class/history/japan/japan16.html |
Cultural activities
http://www.nihongomemo.com/ List of websites and activities for annual events such as New Year, Setsubun, Doll's festival, Hanami, Boy's Day, Tanabata, Obon, Shichi-Go-San. Also, has Teacher workshop information, contests, PC tips, and useful teaching links etc. |
Dancing
Japanese dancing videos and step by step guides (categorized by level of difficulty) includes Bon odori, Yagibushi, Yukata ondo and many more. http://www.mustlovejapan.com/category/hwt/dbo/ |
Exploring Japan webquest http://www.education.umd.edu/Depts/EDCI/edci385/webquests3/Webquest5/student.htm Students research the web in small groups about various topics such as Japanese food and clothing, Japanese holidays and festivals, Japanese school and education, Japanese home, family and religion, Japanese recreation and transport. They then need to write a report which will then be bound together to make a small book on Japan. Also, students present the information they found to the class. |
Japan past and present
PowerPoint presentations, activities, poetry, history, stories, hiragana and katakana, geography and maps. http://countries.mrdonn.org/japan.html |
|
Japanese fairy tales webquest http://onene24.tripod.com/letsreadjapanesefairytales/id4.html Students read Japanese Fairy Tales in English and through these tales learn about Japanese culture. |
Matsuri Photo album |
Living in Japan
Immigration, Alien registration, rubbish, schooling, housing, transport, special Japanese celebrations, Welfare/social security, Medical care/treatment, Manual Labour, Japanese national holidays. (In Japanese) http://www.city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp/hamaEng/index.html |
Nihon ni tsuite にほん に ついて
Culture, history, popular travel destinations, hundreds of photos of Japan. http://learn.artofjimbo.com/index.htm |
Nipponia Online Magazine
Magazine with detailed information and pictures on common topics in Japan and Japanese culture, excellent images http://web-japan.org/nipponia/archives/en/index.html |
Printable culture lessons
Ready to print PDF lessons on various Japanese culture such as Tanabata, Kodomono hi, Kimono, Journey to Japan, Hinamatsuri, Haiku etc. http://www.tjf.or.jp/eng/content/ideacontest/100shoto.htm |
Stories and nursery rhymes Old stories, mukaashibanashi in Japanese and English, songs, nursery rhymes
http://www.geocities.co.jp/HeartLand-Gaien/7211/ |
Takarabako
Numerous PDFs and lesson ideas on Japanese culture and daily life. Thorough English explanations and pictures. http://www.tjf.or.jp/takarabako/jcdl.htm |
Teaching kids about Japan
Website with links to everything Japan. http://www.card1616.com/teaching-kids-all-about-japan.html |
Virtual culture Kids web Japan |
Worksheets
Ainu reading (in English)
Students read about the indigenous people of Japan - The Ainu, and answer questions about what they have read. Donated by M Kahabka
|
Chigirie
Ss create their own 'Chingirie' picture using newspaper. Donated by: A Hickson
|
Chindogu
|
Computer games and game consoles
Read in Japanese about the culture of computer games and game consoles in Japan. Donated by A Yamaura.
|
|
Daruma
Students complete the worksheet about the Daruma, its construction, origins and meaning, then create a 'SMART' goal for their Japanese learning. Includes answers and definition of 'SMART' goals. This worksheet is based on the PowerPoint in the above 'PowerPoints' section of this webpage. Created by K English.
|
Facts question sheet
Ss complete questions about basic facts on Japan. Donated by: L McDonald
|
Fads 2012 日本の流行
Reading comprehension about Japanese fads. Donated by U Witham-Young and M Kajimoto
|
Food exploration
Using the 'Japanese Food Explorer' website, students learn by answering questions about fast food in Japan, sweets, convenience stores and noodles. Donated by S Williams
|
Gestures Review some common Japanese gestures with this simple worksheet.
|
Hachiko research activity
Students conduct an Internet research about the true story of Hachiko. After they have completed the questions, they write an acrostic poem using the letters of Hachiko's name to tell the story of Hachiko. Donated by M Urban
|
Jankenpon explained
Worksheet explaining the basics of Jankenpon. Includes lyrics to two songs using jankenpon: Kakurenbou no uta and Goo Choki Paa no uta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG4eNAl8MuM). Donated by M Back
|
Karaoke reading
Read in Japanese about the origins of Karaoke and its history. Donated by A Yamaura
|
Koto and other traditional instruments
Learn about the koto in English and research information about other Japanese instruments. Created by I Foley Resource created through funding by Brisbane School of Distance Education.
|
Lonely Plant Guide to Japan
Students research the Lonely Planet Japan and Australia to compare facts and figures. Donated by K Sherriff
|
Maneki Neko
Ss learn about the Maneki Neko. PowerPoint associated with this worksheet can be found above in the PowerPoint section. Donated by H Na
|
Nagasaki choice board
Students are given a choice of activities to learn about Nagasaki based on their learning preference. They can use whatever technology they like to complete the task and then present their answers to the class. Donated by S Cocks
|
Nihono no Webquest
A research task on a range of topics from Japanese Geography through to Japanese food and popstars. Donated by K Hall
|
Ninja Comprehension sheet
Ss read about ninja, the history of ninja and their weapons then answer comprehension questions. Donated by A Obana
|
Obento research task
Ss research Obento and then create their own Obento box. Donated by J King.
|
Onsen research task
Ss use the internet to learn more about Onsen. Donated by A Kibby
|
Summary of festivals worksheet
Worksheet where students research the annual festivals of Japan and write a short summary of each onto the grid. Donated by S Chaki
|
Sumo information sheet
Worksheet with basic information about Sumo wrestling and the terms related to the sport.
|
Yurukyara
Students research about Yurukyara and mascot charcters of particular cities then create their own Yurukyara. Donated by P Robson
|
Zen
Read stories and complete activities based on the theme Zen and Zen Buddhism. Donated by A Hickson
|