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Ceremonies - School Daze

Authors

SHARON NAGATA

Summary

Students will learn about the differences between Japanese schools and their own experiences in school.


Materials

Attachments


Background for Teachers

Over the past 20 years, numerous students from Japan have spent several weeks in the homes of Utahns, experiencing American life through the efforts of the sister-city program. During that time, they have shared some of their lifestyles with the families who hosted them. Much has been said about the excellence of Japanese schools compared to American schools. This lesson shows the strengths of their school system, and also some of the desires to adopt what America offers. Carrying out a discussion with students discussing the differences between the school day might be an effective way to instruct students.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will learn about what schools in Japan are like, what Japanese students do to prepare and participate in school, what we might want adopt in our own school system, and perhaps gain a greater appreciation for our own school system.


Instructional Procedures

  1. Depending on the age group of students, begin by asking students to describe or having them write how they got ready to come to school that morning. Then, describe what a typical student in Japan does to get ready. As you go through the lesson, stop periodically to discuss with students their observations about the differences.
  2. Students could now write a paper indicating what they liked and did not like about Japanese schools and if there are aspects they might like to see in our schools.
  3. Several of the listed websites in the bibliography have great visual representations of what schools in Japan are like. Students might enjoy seeing what the schools look like and what students have to say about their schools and school life in Japan.


Extensions

If there is an opportunity to make contact with a school in Japan via video conferencing or finding pen pals, this could be a more extensive study of the differences between the two countries. Contacts might be found through the Matsumoto Sister-City program with the Salt Lake City government, the Utah Office of Tourism, or the University of Utah Japanese Language department.


Bibliography


Created: 10/29/2008
Updated: 01/30/2018
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