Grade 5 - Understanding Culture and Society

This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will:

identify elements of their own and their classmates' cultural backgrounds
identify key vocabulary related to some characteristics of Japanese culture and society
identify and demonstrate an understanding of some cultural elements of Japan

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Understanding Culture and Society in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Students benefit from a classroom environment that includes a blending of linguistic and cultural experiences. They will gain insight into Japanese culture and society by participating in activities that expose them to elements such as food, clothing, arts, and crafts from both traditional and modern Japan.

Have students work in groups to select pictures or models of food and categorize them into groups. Ask each group to create an imaginary Japanese meal. Then have them repeat the activity, this time creating their versions of typical meals in their own homes. Next, students discuss the similarities between Japanese eating habits and their own. Students could then select a Japanese recipe to prepare, or sample a range of Japanese dishes or food products in the classroom.
Set up stations around the classroom to show illustrations or actual examples of a variety of formal and informal Japanese clothing and accessories. Have students view the articles by moving from station to station in groups. As a class, brainstorm similarities between modern Western clothing and traditional Japanese clothing. Discuss who (males or females) might wear each type of clothing. Then invite students in small groups to try on a variety of Japanese formal (kimono ) and informal (yukata ) wear, freely experimenting as well as responding to direct demonstration. Discuss with students the advantages and disadvantages of these items of clothing. Have students add the newly learned words for these items to their personal dictionaries.
Show students a selection of Japanese cartoons (anime ), and have them compare these to North American cartoons. Students might compare elements such as visual styles, storylines, and gender roles portrayed.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

Students' understanding of the Japanese language increases as they gain understanding of Japanese culture and society. Assessment focusses on evidence that students are developing an awareness and appreciation of the culture, which they demonstrate in a variety of ways, including graphic and other visual formats.

As students categorize food, create meals, and determine similarities between their own and Japanese cultures, look for evidence that they:
- maintain an open attitude toward differences
- are willing to try new and unusual foods
- understand that the food choices of different cultures are determined by a variety of factors (e.g., accessibility, geography, tradition)
- identify similarities and understand that cultures often incorporate foods from other cultures into their own regular menus
Have students create visual representations of Japanese and Western clothing. Review their representations, vocabulary related to clothing, and comparisons of Western and traditional Japanese clothing. Assessment could be based on:
- accuracy of the representations
- generalizations about key features of traditional and modern clothing
- identification of similarities between Western and traditional Japanese clothing
- use of key vocabulary related to traditional clothing
When students compare Japanese and North American cartoons, assess their responses using criteria such as:
- includes a variety of features in the comparisons
- accurately identifies similarities and differences
- demonstrates sensitivity to some of the more subtle or complex features

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES

Print Materials

Ancient Japan
"Body" Language
Everyday Japanese
Festivals of Japan
In Japan
Japanese - An Appetizer
A Look Into Japan

Multimedia

Niko Niko

Games/Manipulatives

The Complete Origami Kit for Children

Revised: January 26, 1999

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