Secondary School Level
Opening the Minds and Hearts of Your Japanese-Language Students to Culture

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Lesson plans from the 1st contest booklet (printed in 1996)
Opening the Minds and Hearts of Your Japanese-Language Students to Culture I

Organization and Remarks
Title Cultural objectives Target Japnaese expressions Activities
The History of Japanese Rice

(97KsB)
 To understand the origin and significance of rice in Japanese society
To learn proper table manners when eating rice		 To learn Kanji for rice and rice-related vocabulary
Itadakimasu. Gochisoosama		 Reading, Writing, Discussion, Task sheet
Breakfast in Japan

(111KB)		 To campare eating habits of Japanese with that of Canadian
To learn Japanese polite manners		 To learn vocabulary related to mealtimes
Itadakimasu. Gochisoosama
. ...wa suki desu ka		 Role-playing, Discussion
Japanese Family Life

(246KB)		 To learn interpersonal relationship and family life in Japan To learn names of family members
otoosan, chichi		 Writing, Game
A day in the Life of Akiko

(116KB)		 To know daily life of Japanese high school student
To learn Japanese polite expressions		 To review related sentence structure and vocabulary Writing, Role-playing
Using Limited Space Creatively

(76KB)		 To compare amount and usage of space in Japanese house and U.S. To learn related vocabulary
manshon, shooji, fusuma		 Discussion, Survey
Kaimono--Shopping and Personal Finance

(304KB)		 To learn Japanese manners in shopping
To compare Japanese personal finance with that of American		 To learn shopping relatd expressions, vocabulary dealing with personal finance
Irasshaimase. Sumimasenga,... ...wa doko ni arimasu ka		 Discussion, Role-playing, Using dictionary
Shopping in Japan

(118KB)		 To learn body language and etiquette realted to shopping To learn expressions related to shopping
Ikura desu ka		 Role-playing, Videotaping for later discussion
Leisure Activities--Ueno Park

(160KB)		 To compare a way of Japanese spending leisure time with that of Australian
To learn Japanese religion and customs		 To learn expression related to leisure time
...tumori desu. jogingu suru, jitensha ni noru		 Discussion, Video viewing
Ocha o Nomimashoo ka: Let's Have a Cup of Tea

(247KB)		 To learn nonverbal communication and etiquette in contemporary Japanese society, as influenced by the tea ceremony To learn expression related to the tea ceremony
Ocha o nomimashoo ka. Chotto haiken sasete. tokonoma, ikebana		 Discussion, Drinking tea
Body Language

(253KB)		 To learn various greetings depending on occasion
To understand the necessity of body language		 To learn greeings
Ohayo/ Ohayoo gozaimasu.
Sayoonara		 Role-playing, Discussion
Who Am I? Who Are They?

(229KB)		 To learn Japanese courtesy, manners and the meaning of omiai To learn expressions related to self-introductions and omiai Viedo viewing, Role-playing
Greeings through a Look at Comic Books

(201KB)		 To recognize that a variety of greetings are possible in similar situations
To compare a way of greeting of Japanese with that of Canadian		 To learn simple greetings
Ohayoo gozaimasu. Doomo sumimasen		 Discussion, Reading Japanese manga
Survey Project

(129KB)		 To survey any aspect of Japanese culture students are interested in To learn writing hypothesis, questionnaires, and survey results in Japanese Writing, Interview, Survey
Kuizu Gojunin ni Kikimashita

(105KB)		 To learn Japanese's students' thoughts about their schools, hopes for the future, etc. as compared to those of American students   Discussion, Game, Questionnaire
Women's Issues

(125KB) 		To learn the diversity of Japanese women by talking to Japanese women To have opportunity to speak with native speaker Disucssion, Video viewing

Lesson plans from the 2nd contest booklet (printed in 1998)
Opening the Minds and Hearts of Your Japanese-language Students to Culture II

Organization, Remarks and References
Title Cultural objectives Target Japnaese expressions アクティビティ
Do you keep pets?
(109KB)		 To learn about Japanese children of the same age group through a theme on Japanese popculture (Tamagotchi) To talk and ask about pets
To learn to count small animals
Petto o katteimasu ka. Nambiki katteimasu ka. ippiki, nihiki		 Game, Interview and survey
New Year (204KB) To look at differences and similarities between cultures through a theme on festivals
To understand how language and culture are embedded in each other		 To learn key vocabulary items related to New Year and to write nengajo
Akemashite omedetoo gozaimasu. Heisei ...nen, gantan		 Reading, Story-telling, Writing, Discussion
The Japanese and the bath
(132KB)		 To understand Japanese bathing customs
To identify similarities between behavior in Japan and in China		 To learn Japanese vocabulary related to bathing
...to iwareteiru.
...shitagaru		 Role-playing, Discussion
Let's sell Canadian products!
(165KB)

 To understand differences and similarities in advertising methods between Japan and Canada
To learn Japanese society through the study of marketing methods		 To understand simple expressions of Japanese in magazines and write some sentences to advertise Canadian products
...o kattekudasai.
...wa subarashiidesu ne		 Reading, Video viewing, Discussion, Creating an advertisement
Picture brides
(755KB)		 To contrast the Japanese and the U.S. social systems through the history of Japanese emigration
To compare the lives of emigrants when they arrived in their new country to their lives today		 To describe locations
To describe people; their family, pysical build, feelings and attitudes, dreams, etc.
Hiroshima wa Tokyo no minami ni arimasu. Chichi wa yaseteite sega takaidesu		 Story-telling, Role-playing
Initial introduction (128KB) To enjoy exploring what they know about Japan and its culture To learn greetings, and saying thank you
Ohayoo gozaimasu. Konnichiwa.
Arigatoo gozaimasu		 Singing, Dancing, Game
Famous places in Tokyo
(76KB)		 To know the major sightseeing spots and the major means of trasport in Tokyo
To be motivated for a further trip to Japan		 To express their wishes and plans
(itsu), (norimono)de(basho)ni ikitaidesu/ kaeritaidesu/
...takunaidesu		 Comupter using
Tsumaranai mono desuga
(85KB)		 To understand Japanese customs of daily life To ask permission
To answer requests for permission
To give permission
To deny permission
...temo iidesu ka. Hai, iidesu. Iie, ikemasen.
...temo iidesu.
...te ikemasen		 Tasksheet, Singing, Dancing
The Japanese lifestyle
(208KB)		 To understand Japanese customs of daily life To ask permission
To answer requests for permission
To give permission
To deny permission
...temo iidesu ka. Hai, iidesu. Iie, ikemasen.
...temo iidesu.
...te ikemasen		 Tasksheet, Singing, Dancing
Fast food restaurants
(403KB)		 To learn how Japanese adapt foreign intems into their country To read menu at fast food restaurant and order
To count numbers
...o onegaishimasu. Sumimasenga,...		 Role-playing
I'm hungry; I'm thirsty
(138KB)		 To function at mealtimes during "homestays" with Japanese familities To use descriptive phrases, nouns, adjectives, and verbs associated with eating and drinking Computer using
Menu
(161KB)		 To recognize Japanese dishes and appropriate behavior with chopsticks
To understand eating habits and daily life styles		 To order food
To express likes and dislikes
...o kudasai. ...ga sukidesu		 Role-plaing, Discussion, Creating a menu
Let's go the the department store
(70KB)		 To consider and discuss ideas of politeness and respect in Japanese culture
To learn how the idea of "respect" differs between New Zealand and Japan		 To understand measuerments
To ask to see something and ask for something
...o misete kudasai. ...o kudasai		 Role-playing, Discussion

Lesson plans from the 3nd contest booklet (printed in 2000)
Opening the Minds and Hearts of Your Japanese-language Students to Culture III

Organization, Remarks and References
Title Cultural objectives Target Japnaese expressions アクティビティ
Promoting the Gold Coast
(160KB)		 To understand one's own local area and what it has to offer, and consider how to present this in a way that appeals to people from a different culture, i.e., Japan. To use knowledge of Japan and its people to present information appropriately through discussion and drawing on prior experience. Greetings, discussing travel arrangements, introducing oneself, making invitations/ suggestions, weather forecasting, listing events, describing situations and describing places of action

...to mooshimasu. Amega furudeshyoo. Atsukute kumoridesu. ...e ikimasu. ...made, ...kara, ...de utteimasu.
Yookoso. tanoshii, omoshiroi, rippa

Discussion, Computer Using,
Presentaton
Bamboo
(330KB)		 To develop overall appreciation for the importance and position of bamboo in Japanese culture.
To become familiar with a Japanese fairy tale related to bamboo.
To exhibit general knowledge of bamboo and discuss some common uses of it in Japan.
To explore some bamboo-related proverbs which provide insight into underlying ways of think-ing, values, and beliefs.
To practice and extend calligraphy/kanji skills.		 Though not a main objective in this lesson, review of the use of passive verbs where naturally appropriate, e.g.,
Donoyooni tsukawaremasuka.

Sasa ni suzume. Takeyabu ni tora. Take o wattayoona. Yabu o tsuite hebi o dasu.

takesei, takezaiku, takenoko, takegaki, zaru, fude, etc.
 Work Sheet, Game,
Using Dictionary
Let's Make a Manga in Japanese
(270KB)		 To recognize concept of honorific in source language relationships.
To recognize similar functions of greetings in source/target languages.
To recognize target language ability to express universal human goals, feelings, and activities.		 Greetings,(self)introductions. Giving instructions. Agreeing Talking on the telephone and forms of address. Expressing likes and dislikes, telling the time, expressing non-past, past, and volitional

...tekudasai. ...wa ...ga sukidesu. ...mashita. ...ji ni, dokoni, nande, etc.

Production of Manga
An After-School Snack in Japan
(111KB)

 To see how places like convenience stores/donut shops are common to both our countries.
To note some variations.
adapted in Japan (e.g., beer in Seven-Eleven stores, tofu-flavored donuts, matcha ice cream)		 Asking for prices. Saying and understanding prices. Stating the existence of objects. Asking what something is.
Food/objects at a convenience store, obento, kutsushita, etc.

Ikuradesuka. ...en desu. ...wa arimasu. ...wa arimasen. ...o kudasai.		 Video viewing,
Role-playing,
Discussion,
Work Sheet
At Home on the Tatami
(265KB)		 To show that we all share the same aspiration of owning our own home.
To show that the modern Japanese home is similar in many ways to Western-style homes, with just a few differences.
To examine these differences and to ascertain the underlying reasons why they exist.
To dispel the misconception that all Japanese houses are very small by Western standards.
To examine and inform students of life in general in the Japanese home environment and the uses to which the traditional Japanese room is put.

Asking what it is Asking how it is used Expressing impressions.

...desune. ...desuyo. ...wa ...desuka. ...tari ...tari. ...kute. ...deshoo.

nioi, nanjoo, tatami, hiroi, heya, kimochi, kotatsu, etc.

 Role-playing,
Work Sheet
Itadakimasu!
(112KB)		 To learn how to interact while exploring aspects of Japanese culture other than cooking.
To compare the Japanese dishes prepared in the exercise with similar Korean dishes.
To develop an attitude of respect for other cultures.		 Opening/closing a meeting.
Eliciting opinions.
Expressing opinions.

Dewa ...o hajimemasu. ...san wa doodeshitaka. ...tara, ...katta, ..dattta, etc.

hanseikai, iken, kansoo, gyuudon, udon, taberu, tsukuru, etc.
 Discussion,
Work Sheet,
Cooking
Making a Bridge between the U.S. and Japan
(269KB)

To find an aspect of Japanese high school students's lives that catches one's interest, using the TJF photo sheets.
To write about the gap between one's preconceived image of Japanese students and the informa-tion learned in this unit.
To think about which photo scenes of American students would be interesting for their Japanese counterparts.
To learn more about the four Japanese students from their profiles.
To create written profiles that would help the students introduce themselves to Japanese students.

 Explaining a reason, describing photo scenes and surprising aspects of the Japanese students portrayed in them, listening for specific information, giving opinions using comparison, listening and reading for in-formation, asking questions

...kara, ...node, ...yori...nohooga ii. kookoosei, shashin, ...ni kyoomi ga aru. kozukai, kuraberu, shoorai, etc.

Discussion,
Production of a profile with photos
Ambiguity in the Japanese Language

(79KB)		 To learn about the social and cultural context of indirect/ambiguous expressions in Japanese.
To understand the Japanese linguistic custom of expressing things indirectly or ambiguously.
To develop an open mind and appreciation for the importance of showing consideration for oth-ers in interpersonal relations.		 Expressing gratitude Apologizing Inviting Refusing tactfully

Doomo (arigatoo, sumimasen)
Tokuni naindesuga...
...taindesuga,,,
Jitsuwa ...yooto omotteitanodesuga...

doomo, chotto, kekkoo, ii		 Reading Materials,
Role-playing, Discussion
The Daily Lives of Japanese High School Students
(277KB)		 To gain a deeper understanding of Japanese high school students.
To reflect on one's own daily life.
To identify points of similarity and difference between one's own lifestyle and that of others.		 Expressing one's own thoughts and impressions Describing one's own daily life.

..reru, ...rareru, ...kotoga aru, ...yoodesu, ...to omoimasu.

jiaknawari, manazasi, fudan, minitsukeru, etc.		 Role-playing,
Work Sheet
What's in the Bag?

(526KB)		 To learn about what high school students in Japan are interested in.
To express ideas about the social environment of Japanese high school students in comparison with one's own social.		 Obtaining information.
Expressing one's own ideas.

...wa ...desu. ...ni ...ga arimasu.
How to use "to"
kaban, kyookasho, nooto, ...nensei, etc.

Work Sheet,
Presentation
Moshi Moshi
(348KB)

To compare and contrast telephone communication in Japan and Canada
To develop awareness of phoning practices in Japan

 Asking for information.
Giving information.
Inviting friends on outings.

...kotoga dekimasu. ...masenka.
Words related to phoning, i.e., Moshi moshi, denwabangoo, keitai dennwa, etc.
Role-playing,
Discussion,
Work Sheet
Comparing Cultures Together
(81KB)		 To learn naturally about the lives of Japanese high school students through an exchange of ideas between the students in U.S. and peers in Japan.
To work with classmate and with Japanese peers to recognize aspects of Japanese and American culture that are embodied in the preschool education of the two countries.
To look at themselves, and not just the people of another culture, anthropologically.
To examine the credibility of an ethnographic video		 Introducing oneself.
Learning to type in Japanese.
Reading Japanese students' self-introductions.
Expressing opinions.
Asking questions regarding. others and their opinions.

...to iimasu. ...to omoimashita.
o...

hoikuen, yoochien, shoogakkoo, chuugakkoo, kookoo, iken, kansoo, etc.		 Video viewing,
Writing,
Discussion,
Let's Make a Kite
(198KB)

 To learn about kites, from their origins in China and Egypt to their present use for pleasure, particularly in modern Japan.
To learn about the popularity of kite-flying in Japan, specifically such giant kite battles as those seen at Enshu festivals.
To understand how kites are representative of other aspects of Japanese culture, such as meticulous craftsmanship, festivals and local society.
To fold origami.		 Asking to borrow things. Understanding commands.

Hasami o kashite kudasai.
Hori o karitemo iidesu ka.
hatte, kitte, tsukete, etc.

musubi, ito, kami, nori, boo, take, etc.		 Discussion,
Production of a Kite