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

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

• demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts and terms that characterize Japanese culture and society
• compare Japanese culture with other cultures

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

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

• Ask students in groups to examine and determine the features of Japanese currency and business transactions. Have them compare these to Canadian currency and business transactions. Challenge them to evaluate the current monetary value of the yen  and the dollar and determine the relative earning and spending powers of Japanese and Canadian families. Students should identify factors that affect the cost of living in both societies.
• Organize a field trip to a Japanese restaurant and have students gather information related to Japanese dining or cuisine. Ask them to compare Japanese eating arrangements, food presentation, and table settings with those of their own cultures.
• Show students a video of two Japanese people interacting. Ask them to mime the gestures seen in the video and, in groups, determine and explain how the situation and the relationship between the participants influence non-verbal communication. As a class, discuss how factors such as gender, age, and social status affect non-verbal communication. Then ask groups to present their findings to the class.
• Have students in pairs create role plays demonstrating a variety of social roles and using proper terms of address, non-verbal cues, polite Japanese expressions, greetings, and leave-takings. As a class, brainstorm what different verbal and non-verbal behaviours reveal about Japanese socio-cultural norms (e.g., why a woman covers her mouth when laughing).
• Provide students with samples of both Canadian-style and Japanese-style business cards (meishi ). Ask students to compare and contrast the styles. Then have students create their own meishi .

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

• When students research aspects of Japanese culture and society (e.g., business transactions, cost of living, schooling, role of women, daily operation of a small business, food and mealtimes) and draw comparisons with other cultures, work with them to develop criteria for assessing their reports. For example:
  • information is complete, accurate, relevant, and presented in a logical way
  • similarities are accurately represented
  • supporting information explains the importance of key concepts in Japanese culture
  • appropriate Japanese vocabulary is used to communicate specifics of Japanese culture
• Provide students with opportunities to present what they learn about Japanese culture and society. For example, have students research and present information on topics such as a typical day in a Japanese home, school, or business or an important celebration such as New Year's. Observe and note the extent to which students:
  • use Japanese phrases and words specific to the customs or celebrations described in their presentations
  • represent the customs or celebrations accurately, including details and specific information
  • portray the unique and important aspects of Japanese life in their presentations

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES

• "Body" Language
• Chopsticks! An Owner's Manual
• Eating in Japan
• Everyday Japanese
• Festivals of Japan
• Haiku
• In Japan
• Japanese - An Appetizer
• A Look Into Japan
• NTC's Basic Japanese

• Annual Festivities and Ceremonies

• Japanese Language and People
• Kimono
• Moshi Moshi
• Niko Niko

• Exotic Japan

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