Activity: Yosegaki

This activity idea was created for use in the training program for elementary school teachers of Japanese in China held in the summer of 2004.
Original idea by Saito Hiromi, Assistant Professor, Tokyo Gakugei University
Edited by TJF

Objectives:

To gain an understanding of the everyday lives of Japanese elementary school students through yosegaki.
To express oneself using simple Japanese.

Procedure:

1.

Show the class the yosegaki by Grade 6 Class 1, and discuss the content and the occasions when yosegaki are written (using students’ native language).
http://www.tjf.or.jp/shogakusei/6-1/jikosyoukai/img/yosegaki01-m.jpg
http://www.tjf.or.jp/shogakusei/6-1/jikosyoukai/img/yosegaki02-m.jpg
http://www.tjf.or.jp/shogakusei/6-1/jikosyoukai/img/yosegaki03-m.jpg
http://www.tjf.or.jp/shogakusei/6-1/jikosyoukai/img/yosegaki04-m.jpg
http://www.tjf.or.jp/shogakusei/6-1/jikosyoukai/img/yosegaki05-m.jpg
http://www.tjf.or.jp/shogakusei/6-1/jikosyoukai/img/yosegaki06-m.jpg
※ Yosegaki are written at graduation, when a student changes schools, or other occasions when people part, to wish others well, for celebrations (such as birthdays), and to encourage someone.

2.

Divide students into six groups and distribute one yosegaki to each group. Students work together to read the yosegaki and present what they found. Write the expressions used in the yosegaki on the board.

「あだ名」	“nickname”
「しゅみ」	“hobbies”
「ゆめ」	“dreams”
「せいかく」	“personality”
「好きな～」	“things I like”
「とくいなこと」	“things I am good at”

3.

Write yosegaki. As a class, come up with ideas for a theme. In groups, discuss and decide on a design and theme. Have students write rough drafts before taking turns writing on the actual yosegaki.

4

Each group presents their yosegaki. Students give each other feedback.