Social Studies Unit on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
JAPANESE CULTURE
Achievement Objective/s: Key Competencies:
• Understand how people pass on and sustain culture and heritage • Managing self
for different reasons and that this has consequences for people.
• Participating and contributing
• Relating to others
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module students will:
• have an understanding of Japanese culture / heritage and how this is important to the people of Japan today.
• be able to identify Japanese characteristics and values that students have in common with their own culture.
• have gained knowledge about Japan’s history and geography.
• know some basic words in Japanese.
Activity/lesson:
Suggested timing
What do we already know about Japanese culture? 30 minutes approx.
Starter activity
Watch the Japan in Numbers and the Japanese Tourism videos to get students
Resources:
thinking about what they may already know about Japan.
YouTube link to Japan in Numbers
Student activity
Japanese Tourism video
To start this module on Japanese culture, create a classroom Padlet that all
students can contribute to. Have the following sub-headings on the Padlet: Padlet website
Food, Values, Language, History and Geography.
Padlet example / template
The aim of this activity is to get students thinking and sharing what they To make a copy of this Padlet, create
already know about Japan and sharing this with the class. a Padlet account or log into your
This can also be done as a collaborative brainstorm on the whiteboard or existing account. Then open the
using an online mind map tool like MindMeister. Discuss as a class. link above and click on the remake
button in the top right-hand corner.
There is also a link to a Japanese PDF poster produced by the Asia New
MindMeister
Zealand Foundation. This could be printed and displayed in the classroom
during this topic. PDF Poster to print for class display
JAPANESE CULTURE
Activity/lesson:
Suggested timing
Japanese food fusion challenge 1 hour approx.
Starter activity Resources:
Students using the worksheet individually or in groups are to think of as many
Japanese foods as they can. They then follow this up by thinking of different Food Fusion Worksheet
foods that they eat as part of their own culture. Make a copy of this Google Doc
and create an assignment on
Student activity Google Classroom - select make
Students work through the worksheet and complete the Food fusion challenge. a copy for each student.
This lesson gets students to look at foods that are associated with Japanese
culture, while also comparing the different foods that they enjoy as part of their YouTube clip, the world of
own culture. Japanese sandwiches
If you have time, there is a fun YouTube clip to watch about the fusion of Japanese
food and sandwiches. Note: After 7 minutes this includes alcohol and smoking.
Activity/lesson:
Suggested timing
Values 1 hour approx.
Starter activity Resources:
For the first five minutes, students can discuss with the person next to them
something that they regularly do or celebrate with their family. Examples may Website link, Māori and
include things such as celebrating family birthdays or celebrating Matariki. Japanese culture similarities
Student activity Values worksheet
Have a discussion about values with your students. Make a copy of this Google Doc
• What are values? and create an assignment on
• What can influence someone’s values? Google Classroom – select make
• Why is it important to respect the values of others? a copy for each student.
Students can then move on to completing the values worksheet looking at their
own personal / cultural values and how these compare to Japanese values. Broad characteristics of
Japanese culture
Students can use the Broad characteristics of Japanese culture Google Doc for
ideas and can also do their own research. Venn Diagram template
Extension activity
Students can complete the Venn diagram looking at what similarities
they may have with Japanese values. This would work best as a printed
worksheet, as it will be easier to write into.
JAPANESE CULTURE
Activity/lesson: Suggested timing
Language 1 hour approx.
Starter activity Resources:
Share the Japanese language website link with students. Give them around
five minutes to read through the information on Japanese language. Japanese language website link
Students can then test their knowledge with a quick Quizlet quiz using the
Quizlet link for students
matching option. Students can do this several times as it will give a different
combination of questions. They can also try and better their time or compete
Language worksheet
for the quickest time in the class.
Make a copy of this Google Doc
Student activity and create an assignment on
Students to complete the language worksheet using Google Translate. Google Classroom - select make
a copy for each student.
They can also use Google Translate to listen to the correct pronunciation and
students can try saying the words / phrases to each other in pairs. Japanese name translator
Students can then have a go at translating their own name using the Japanese
name translator website.
Activity/lesson: Suggested timing
A brief history of Japan 1 hour approx.
Starter activity
Resources:
Students are to read through the information giving a general overview of
Japan using the two website links given. If you have time, there is a quick
Website link for students on
Kahoot to test their knowledge and also learn some new facts about Japan.
the history of Japan
Student activity
Students can then use the rest of the lesson to create a History Road showing [Link]
important events in the history of Japan. They can use the resources provided
as well as any other information they have researched. Kahoot link
Instructions for a History Road
and student example
JAPANESE CULTURE
Activity/lesson:
Suggested timing
Geography 1 to 2 hours
Starter activity Resources:
Students to spend 10 minutes looking at the Google Earth voyager
exploring hidden Japan. Google Earth voyager,
hidden Japan
Student activity
Students use this lesson to conduct online research to find out some Possible websites for
interesting facts about Japan’s geography. Remind students that this creating infographics
can be about Japan’s natural or cultural geography, e.g. information [Link]
about Japan’s population or Japan’s climate. [Link]
There is an example you can show students that was made using Canva.
These can then be shared with the teacher or presented to the class at Canva example
the end of the lesson.
Suggested ways to assess students’ learning outcomes:
Formative Assessment: Summative Assessment:
The Food fusion challenge, Infographic poster, History Quizlet and Kahoot can be used
road or Values worksheet / Venn diagram can be to test students on their retention
collected to check students’ knowledge and understanding. of text being read.
Disclaimer: This resource was produced on behalf of the Asia New Zealand Foundation and the New Zealand Olympic Committee for teachers to grow New Zealand students’ knowledge of
Asia. The content of this resource does not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation. Some resources reflect individuals’ views and those prevalent during significant historical periods.
