Human Society and its Environment STAGE 3 – YEAR 6
STUDY OF A CULTURAL GROUP: JAPAN
CONTENT OUTCOMES
CUS3.4- Examines how cultures change through interactions with other cultures and the environment.
·  examines cultures within another nation
·  identifies the impact that the environment can have on any culture
·  examines how cultural diversity causes cultural change, including conflict
·  explores cultural change in their own country of origin or in a country of interest / ENS3.6- Explains how various beliefs and practices influence the ways in which people interact with, change and value their environment.
·  examines factors that may give rise to different views about the care of places
·  evaluates alternative views about the use of natural and built environments
·  examines how natural, cultural, religious, historical, economic and political factors can influence people’s interactions with environments
RESEARCH TOPICS / ASSESSMENT
Students will research the following topics:
·  Geography: general information, climate and natural disasters
·  History: rulers and warriors, and World War II
·  Customs and culture: religious beliefs, celebrations and ceremonies, traditional dress, arts, and language and writing
·  Society: food, home-life, transport, and sport
·  Nature and environment: flora and fauna, landmarks, and Japanese gardens / Students will be assessed on their ability to:
·  Complete the adequate amount of tasks in time provided;
·  Provide quality responses to each task;
·  Work cooperatively in group situations;
·  Use the internet and other resources to gather information;
·  Reflect on tasks in order to produce a quality presentation;
·  Present information to an audience
PRESENTATION AND REFLECTION ON UNIT
WEEKS TEN AND ELEVEN. Students will compile all of their researched information into a traveller’s package. This traveller’s package will be presented to the Year Four class. The package must convince the audience that Japan is the place to visit. The Year Four class will vote on the package that was the most interesting, informative, entertaining, and most important of all, convincing.
LEARNING ENGAGEMENTS
WK / TOPIC / WORKING TOWARDS / WORKING AT / WORKING BEYOND
WEEKS ONE AND TWO / GEOGRAPHY / 1. Make a facts chart about Japan. Locate information on its location, size, population, major cities, currency, neighbouring countries, as well as any other information you think is important.
2. Using a map of Japan, label all major cities and well-known landmarks.
3. Prepare a flowchart which explains the different seasons in the Japanese year.
4. Construct a pictorial timeline of the major natural disasters in Japan’s history. Include a short written description about each event (damage, casualties, and fatalities).
5. Choose one natural disaster in Japan’s history and write a summary report on the event. / 1. Design a questionnaire about Japan. Questions should be about Japan’s location, size, population, major cities, currency, neighbouring countries, as well as any other information you think is important.
2. Tourists need to know the best time of year to visit Japan. Design a poster that recommends the best time you believe is to visit Japan. Make sure you research and include information about the climate.
3. Research and write a report on one of the major disaster in Japan’s history. Include information about why this natural disaster occurred. / 1. Tourists love taking home souvenirs from Japan that reminds them of their trip away. Invent a game that tourists could buy to take home that includes facts about Japan, such as its location, size, population, major cities, currency, etc.
2. Research one natural disaster and the effects it had on the Japanese people. Then plan an ‘Emergency Pamphlet’ that explains: what is the natural disaster, its potential threats, and what to do when it occurs.
WEEK THREE / HISTORY / 1. Make a cartoon strip which explains the differences between Emperors, Shoguns, and Samurais.
2. Draw a diagram of a Samurai in his body armour with his weapons. Label the diagram.
3. Make a timeline outlining Japan’s involvement in WWII.
4. Summarise the effects the atomic bombs had on the Japanese people.
5. Answer the following questions in full sentences: Who is Sadako? What illness did she have? Why was she trying to make 1000 paper cranes? / 1. Compare two of Japan’s Emperors and conclude which one was a more effective ruler.
2. Conduct an investigation into the Japanese involvement in WWII. Use your research to create a factual book.
3. Write a biography about Sadako. Make a paper crane to accompany it. / 1. Choose one Japanese Emperor and write a speech about whether you believe he was good ruler for Japan.
2. Research Japanese involvement in World War II. Write a story from the point of view of a man in the Japanese army. This story will need to describe and justify the Japanese actions in WWII.
WEEKS FOUR AND FIVE / CUSTOMS AND CULTURE / 1. Distinguish between the customs and beliefs of Shinto and Buddhism.
2. List the major festivals in the Japanese year. Include the date they are celebrated, as well as a short description of what happens at the festival.
3. Construct a mini fact chart about Kimonos and design your own Kimono to accompany it.
4. Locate examples of Netsuke and Ikebana. Use these to create a mini poster describing the arts in Japan.
5. Define “haiku”. Write your own haiku poem. / 1. Design a questionnaire that you would ask a Japanese citizen about their faith in either Buddhism or Shinto. Research the answers to your questions.
2. Research the process of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Create either a scrap book or a diorama to illustrate the tea ceremony.
3. Investigate the three different writing systems in Japan. Create a poster which explains each system as well as distinguishes between them. / 1. As tourists need to be respectful in the country they are visiting, design a set of rules/standards which they must follow so that they do not disrespect the Shinto or Buddhism faith in their travels.
2. Japanese music is a beautiful way to embrace the Japanese culture. Research the three main types of music and compose a song that incorporates aspects from each type.
WEEKS SIX AND SEVEN / SOCIETY / 1. Research and identify two of Japan’s most eaten foods. Write a report on why these foods are so popular.
2. Compile a list of the customs and routines of a traditional Japanese house-hold.
3. Identify and summarise the main transport systems in Japan.
4. Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of events in a sumo wrestling match.
5. Create a facts chart about martial arts in Japan. / 1. Locate a variety of Japanese recipes. Use these recipes to create a Japanese cookbook.
2. Investigate the transport systems in Japan and write a tourist guide on the best way to get around in Japan.
3. Research popular sports in Japan. Write an argument for the sport you perceive to be the most popular In Japan. Remember, to support your points with reasons/evidence. / 1. Write an editorial piece for a traveller’s magazine that is aimed at tourists who may want to live in Japan. The piece must explain home life in Japan, outlining customs and routines in a traditional Japanese household. Be sure to include your own opinion throughout the article.
2. Research and invent a new transport system that accounts for the needs of Japan. Construct a model of this transport system. Ensure there is a report accompanying the model, explaining how it works and its benefits.
WEEKS EIGHT AND NINE / NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT / 1. Draw and label two types of flora that are native to Japan.
2. Draw and label two types of fauna that are native to Japan.
3. Answer the following questions in full sentences: What is an onsen? What do Japanese use these for? What is the name for the special type of clothing worn here?
4. Discuss the features of a traditional Japanese garden.
5. Summarise the ‘art of bonsai’. / 1. Using labelled diagrams, compare one native Japanese flora and one native fauna to that of another country.
2. Design a puzzle of a famous landmark. Make sure in the puzzle all of the major features are clearly illustrated. Create an information sheet about the landmark to accompany the puzzle.
3. Using clay, design a model of a traditional Japanese garden. Ensure all major features are included. To accompany your model, include a labelled illustration of your design to explain each feature. / 1. Japan is one of the last countries in the world to continue whaling. Your group has been called to as a key witness for an important court trial to represent Japan in this case. Research why Japan still continues with whaling and build a case to support them.
2. The tourism board has elected you to create an advertisement for Japanese tourism. You have been asked to compose a song about one major landmark in Japan. This song needs to be interesting and appealing so as to convince tourists to visit the landmark.