Overview
A story about Reina, a girl who lives in Tokyo, gives youngsters an
opportunity to compare their lives with hers. They research the Internet
with grade five mentors to discover more information on Japan. Successfully
connecting with a class in Tosashimizu, Japan, the children begin
to e-mail their new friends and share information about themselves
and their schools. |
For more about this special from
A Glimpse of Japan ~ From Our World to Yours e-mail
Mary Rudder,
author and AT&T Teacher Disseminator. |
Learning
Standards
Recall major details of a story or narrative.
Gather photos, pictures and/or drawings of people or events from
different cultures.
Make comparisons between their own and other cultures.
Dictate or compose simple stories.
Make observations and draw conclusions from information.
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Classroom
Activities
After reviewing map skills and their Know, Want to Know, Learned
(KWL) chart on Japan, youngsters:
- Listen to a story about Reina a Japanese girl.
- Make a Venn diagram based on similarities
and differences between themselves and Reina.
- Use software to illustrate four pages of autobiographical details:
residence, family, favorite food, and holiday.
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Incorporate pages into individual books: Illustrate title page,
punch holes in pages, bind with colored yarn.
Work with grade five mentors to research Internet and find three
facts about Japanese life for the KWL chart.
Connect to a class in Japan. With mentors' input, exchange e-mail
messages about life in their respective cultures.
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Community
Activities
As students learn more about Japanese customs and traditions, children
prepare to invite family and residents of a nearby senior center to
a Japanese tea ceremony. |
Careers
Mentors help with Internet research that leads to information on community
helpers in Japan. |
Materials
Japan by Donna Bailey, 1990: Steck Vaughn; mural map, KWL chart, book
making materials |
Technology
Students create book pages with Kidpix and an inkjet printer. They
use the Internet to research life in Japan and to e-mail their new
friends. |
Assessment
Children and teacher check Venn diagram;
continue to document growing understandings about a new culture and
add autobiographies to "A Glimpse of Japan" folders. |
Web Sites
Students research Japan at: http://www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/
Students research at Kids
Web Japan.
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