Unit Overview
Culminating Activity
Vermont Standards
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UNIT SUMMARY

Unit Title:

Japanese Cultural, Enrichment Program Activities

Unit Author:

Darryl Bloom, Guidance Counselor, Union Elementary School

Grade Level: 3-5

Unit Overview:

The UES Enrichment Program is an after-school program open to all students. The sessions typically run for 6 weeks, one hour per week. Students sign-up for programs that interest them. The following "units" are designed for two separate 6-week sessions.

The first series includes an introduction to the geography and population of Japan, some words and phrases in Japanese, some children's games, the concept of persistence (gambaru) as a cultural value, and culminates in an art activity. The second series is all about food and makes connections to geography and land use, cultural concepts of group responsiblity and cooperation, respect and beauty. Students prepare typical Japanese dishes, eat with chopsticks and are responsible for cleaning the cooking area and their individual places.


Essential Questions:
What are some characteristics of Japanese culture?

Culminating Task:
Unit 1 - Daruma Dolls; Unit 2 - food preparation and sampling each session

Vermont Standards

Vital Results:
  • Civic/Social Responsibility Standards
  • Human Diversity
  • 4.3 Cultural Expressions
Students demonstrate understanding of the cultural expressions that are characteristic of particular groups.
Fields of Knowledge:
  • History and Social Sciences Standard
  • Identity and Interdependence
  • 6.19
Students understand the variety of influences and impacts of the construction, preservation, and change of identity within families, other social structures, and nations.
Learning Opportunities:
Access Enrichment activities are open to all students and responsive to student interest and choice.

 

Time to Complete Unit:  2 six-week series of one-hour meetings

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