Japan Lesson Plan for Younger Children
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Japan Lesson Plan for Younger Children
Make an origami paper crane, a carp fish kite, a Japanese meal, a Japanese doll, and more!
This lesson is geared toward Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade level children. I created this to do as a two hour "play date" with a few friends. Even if you're not meeting with friends, you can still use this fun lesson with your family or classroom!
This lesson is geared toward Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade level children. I created this to do as a two hour "play date" with a few friends. Even if you're not meeting with friends, you can still use this fun lesson with your family or classroom!
1) Read "Japan" by David F. Marx.2) Read "Yoko's Paper Cranes" by Rosemary Wells about origami and paper cranes.
3) Make origami paper crane using PRE-FOLDED paper.
4) Read "I live in Tokyo" by Mari Takabayashi about Japanese festivals.5) Begin making sticky rice.
6) Make a carp fish kite.
I Live in Tokyo
Amazon Price: $3.49 (as of 06/01/2012)
Used Price: $3.48
7) Snack: Make "sushi" by putting sticky rice in ice cube tray, pushing finger through the middle, stuffing deli meat and a slice of carrot in the middle. If your children like vegetables, you can use pieces of broccoli stalk or broccoli slaw. Also serve iced green tea and Japanese snack mix. Use chopsticks to eat "sushi." 
8) Read some of "Japanese celebrations : cherry blossoms, lanterns and stars!" by Betty Reynolds about Girl's Day and kimono.9) Make Japanese dolls.
10) Read "Count your way through Japan" by James Haskins and practice counting in Japanese.
More Great Picture Books on Japan
Family Field Trip
Go to a Japanese Festival. My children loved seeing the Japanese dancing, crafts, and arts performed here. They also loved tasting the various foods. International festivals are such a wonderful way to bring a culture alive without ever having to hop on an air plane! 
Good Books to Find Activities
Other Great Lessons or Units on Japan
My Lessons on Squidoo
The links below will take you to the first lesson in each of my units. From there you can navigate to the other lessons in that particular unit by viewing the featured lens links toward the bottom of the page. I'm uploading more lessons as time allows.- Complete List of Units and Lessons:
Fun, FREE Hands-on Unit Studies
Science:
Astronomy (4 weeks)
Earth Science (6 weeks)
Zoology (5 weeks)
Human Anatomy (7 weeks)
Simple Machines and Inventions (6 weeks)
Floating & Flying (5 weeks)
Five Senses (4 weeks)
Weather (4 weeks)
Plant Parts (1 week)
Forensic Science/Detectives (1 week)
History:
Medieval Period (4 weeks)
Explorers (4 weeks)
Early American Settlers (4 weeks)
American War for Independence (6 weeks)
The Constitution and President George Washington (1 week)
Native Americans (4 weeks)
Westward Expansion and Pioneers (4 weeks)
Geography:
Japan (1 week)
Africa (4 weeks)
World Geography (26 weeks)
Holidays:
Christmas (2 weeks)
Thanksgiving (2 weeks)
Homeschool Curriculums:
My Math Curriculum, Games, and Books
My Homeschool Curriculum Choices for Elementary Grades
Specific to Classroom Teaching:
8th Grade American History
Konos Curriculum
Would you like to teach this way every day?
Konos CurriculumI use Konos Curriculum as a springboard from which to plan my lessons. It's a wonderful Christian curriculum and was created by moms with active children!
Konos Home School Mentor
If you're new to homeschooling or in need of some fresh guidance, I highly recommend Konos' HomeSchoolMentor.com program! Watch videos on-line of what to do each day and how to teach it in this great hands-on format!
Thank you for your blessings!
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What Is Your Favorite Part of Japanese Culture?
Or just let me know you dropped by! I love getting feedback from you!
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poldepc May 19, 2012 @ 3:35 am | delete
- great lens, thx for sharing it
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partybuzz
May 15, 2012 @ 10:06 am | delete
- I have a cousin who is married a Japanese woman and their children can speak both languages. I love the idea of the "sushi", I think I'd like that better than the real thing. :)
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iijuan12
May 15, 2012 @ 5:05 pm | delete
- Thank you for dropping by my lens on Japan! My brother is married to a woman from Japan. He claims his boys speak better Japanese than he does. As far as sushi goes, I'm more of a California Roll type of gal myself. At least by starting with this version of sushi, my kids might actually try the real stuff some day.
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KimGiancaterino May 6, 2012 @ 5:23 pm | delete
- I like many things about Japanese culture -- the art, the architecture, the food. I've read many books about Japan, and have always wanted to go there.
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BunnyFabulous
May 5, 2012 @ 8:44 pm | delete
- This is great! I like all the crafts and hands-on activities. We have some friends who have been missionaries in Japan, and some who are currently there, so this is an area of the world that we'll take a closer look at sometime in the not-too-distant future.
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by iijuan12
I was an 8th Grade American History teacher and now I am a homeschooling mom of 4. I love finding activities that appeal to kinestic learners, storybo... more »
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This is an adorable sushi set made from wood for plenty of pretend play. It's very durable and so much fun!
Sesame Street - Big Bird In Japan
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My son really enjoyed following Big Bird through Japan in this 60 minute DVD!
Teach Me Japanese (Paperback and Audio CD): A Musical Journey Through the Day
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Learning Japanese set to fun children's songs is our favorite way to introduce foreign languages at a young age. Popular songs (like Mary Had a Little Lamb" are sung in both English and Japanese.
