The family unit is a basic foundation of cultures throughout the world. By studying Japanese folktales, students will learn to categorize family archetypes and identify various family structures including familes by birth, adoption and marriage. We will discuss the role of the individual within the family, compare these stories with those from Europe and America, and discuss how cultural differences are interwoven in family structure. We will then move into a discussion of contemporary family life and I will share information from my home-stay in Japan and my research into contemporary life in Japan. Students will have the opportunity to discuss contemporary family structures.

This unit will be at the start of the semester so the students can use the archetypes in their study of literature thorughout the semester as well as other information from this unit. 

RHS 10 Demonstrate initial understanding of elements of literary text by:

• identifying, describing, or making logical predictions about the character, setting, problem/solution or plot;
• identifying any significant changes to that character over time;
• identifying the protagonist/antagonist;
• paraphrasing or summarizing, with major events sequenced.

RHS 13 Analyze and interpret elements of literary texts, citing evidence where appropriate:

• Explaining logical predictions; analyzing characterizations, motivation, or interactions;
• citing thoughts, words or actions that review characters' personalities or their changes over time;
• making inferences about cause/effect, internatl/external conflects or the relationship among elements within the text;
• explaining how the narrator's point of view or style affects the reader's interpretation;
• determining how the authoer's purpose, message or underlying beliefs are supported within the text.

RHS 15 Generates a well-developed and grounded personal response to what is read:

• comparing stories to related personal experiences, prior knowledge or other texts or ideas;
• making thematic connections between literary texts and the broader world of ideas.

WHS 5 In response to literary text, students show understanding of plot/ideas/concept by:

making thematic connections between texts, prior knowledge, or the broader world of ideas.

WHS 6 In response to literary text, students make and support analytical judgements about text by:

using specific details and references to text or specific citations to support interpretive claims.

Students demonstrate command of the structures of the English language by:

• Writing a variety of correct sentences, using embedded phrases and clauses;
• Using the paragraph form;
• Identifying organizational structures within paragraphs or within texts;
• Using a format and text structure appropriate to the purpose of writing.