The Journey of an Artist:
Allen Say
Read about how students at a school in Massachusettes used origami cranes to raise money for the the Red Cross Relief efforts after the devasting earthquake in Japan in 2012. They called their project Cranes for a Cause and were inspired by another great book, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr. The book is based on a true story of a young Japanese girl who has leukemia due to the atom bomb that dropped near her home in Hiroshima during World War II. Because she is sick and in the hospital Sadako sets a goal on making 1,000 paper cranes to help pass the time. Click on the title and the link will take you to Amazon.com where you can listen to a small part of an audio book.
Japan and Its Culture
Take the Quiz
There are many great resources to explore the country of Japan, to learn about its history, people and culture.
Time For Kids is a great place to start. You can take the sightseeing guide, study the historical timeline and even listen to a native speaker recite some popular lingo. When you are familar with the information be sure to and then read Ryuichi Kishi's Day in the Life page. After you read his, think about your own day and then write down your own Day in the Life time table. How is yours different from Ryuichi's and how are they alike. Write a paragraph decribing the differences and similarities.
Write A Paragraph
It's great to learn about the history of Japan but it is also important to keep up on current events. Scholastic News Kids Press Corps brings you stories about the world written by other kids. Although the Press Corps has been taking a break for this school year, you can still read about their coverage of the tragic earthquake that happened in Japan in 2011.
Now it's your turn. Think about some things that are happening in your town, school or neighborhood and write an informative article that might be of interest to your classmates. You might consider writing about a local sports team, a new restaurant that has opened, or about a new classmate or teacher at your school. It's all up to you. Include all the information that you would like to know! Make it at least two paragraphs.
Write A Current Event Story
Images from Wikimedia Commons
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Write a Haiku
Coerr, Eleanor, and Ronald Himler. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. New York: Putnam, 1977.
CultureGrams for Kids is a great database that might be available at your school or local library. You can find so much information on many countries like Japan. You can find out facts about the country like its size and population but also has other interesting information like the history of Shoguns in Japan.
What is Origami?
Japan is well known as having a very long tradition in origami which is the art of folding paper into different shapes. Cutting and gluing are not allowed! The most famous Japanese origami design is the paper crane. Origami butterflies are often used in wedding ceremonies to represent the bride and groom.
Make a Paper Crane
Listen to Part of the Book
Time for another activity! Watch the video below and learn the step-by-step directions for turning a single sheet of paper into a paper crane just like Sadako or the students in Massachusettes. All you need is a plain sheet of computer paper! Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time. Like many things it takes practice. After you learn, take the time to teach a relative, neighbor or classmate!
How do you write a Haiku?
Haiku is the most popular type of poetry in Japan. It's probably unlike poetry that you might already know where many of the words rhyme. A haiku poem doesn't ever rhyme and that might make it more difficult for you to write. A haiku is made up of three separate lines. In your language arts class you have learned about how words are made of up parts called syllables. When you write a haiku, you have to make sure that they correct amount of syllable are on each of the three lines. Many of the traditional Japanese haikus are about nature, but you can really write it about anything you like. Below is an example of a haiku. Learn more about writing Haikus at Poetry4Kids.com.
Once you are more familiar with the style, try your hand at writing one. Make it fun about your dog or cat or maybe your brother or cousin.
Winter is coming.
Snow will be arriving soon.
We should rake the leaves.
You can't learn about different cultures without knowing about their food. Have you ever eaten sushi? That is one of the most popular types of Japanese food along with rice, seaweed, ramen noodles and tofu. You can pick up a Bento Box full of sushi and shashimi at local restaurants just like you might stop in to McDonald's for a hamburger. You can learn more about traditional Japanese food through any of the websites mentioned above like CultureGrams and Time for Kids.
If you have decided you don't like or want to eat sushi, check out Kid Crave and see how you can turn the foods you eat everyday into a Japanese eating experience. Doesn't peanut butter sushi sound yummy?
What's in a Bento Box?
You cannot do a study of Japan without stopping by the National Geographic Kids website. While you'll find many of the same facts and information as other sites, you must see their beautiful photographs that National Geographic is so famous for. It's definitly a must visit site!
