The Japan Forum > Click Nippon > Class Ideas

Students read an interview article about Mr. Shingo Usami, who was introduced in Tokimeki Shuzaiki in 2020. The interview's focus is on Mr. Usami and his short film “RICEBALLS.” This interview article will give students opportunities to think about and discuss stereotyping and deepen their knowledge about rice balls. As a linguistic point, the effects of phatic expressions like "aizuchi" will draw the students' attention.

The class activities inspired by the KIDS EARTH FUND charity "Ufufu! Let’s make Charity T-shirts" will provide students with opportunities to learn about onomatopoeias, discuss what is important for society and for the earth, and express their ideas by drawing/painting and writing some texts. In the enriched activities, students will explore sociocultural influences on children around the world through a photo book, and develop an understanding of their responsibilities from a global perspective.

Students will read an article about Yummi, a solo artist, and learn about the obstacles she overcame and her effort to realize her dream. With Yummi's success story as an example, students will think about their own future dreams and aspirations, and ways to realize them.

Students interview each other and talk about a topic that they have chosen. Then, they write an article based on the interview, or edit the recorded video or audio files to present to the class.

Cara Fletcher, a student at Yokohama National University, interviewed Mr. Sato, a staff member at the Animal Protection Center for a Tokimeki Shuzaiki project. In this issue, students read about Cara’s personal experiences with animals as a child and her motivation to learn more about animal care in Japan.

Using visual resources, students will learn about emakizushi and how to make them. Students will design original emakizushi, as a cross curricular activity, and will also explore the relationship between emakizushi and seasons/annual events.

Students will read the interview article of Murasame Tatsumasa, a professional gardener of traditional landscape gardens in Japan, and will learn about the traditional Japanese gardens and gardeners through reading the interview article. After reading the article, the students will research traditional Japanese culture like Wabi Sabi to compare them with their own culture and write an email to Murasame.

Students will read the interview article about Nakaya Chikako, who runs emakizushi workshops to promote instruction in its techniques. Students get to know about emakizushi, and think about the positive influence of making emakizushi together for the family today.

The students will watch a video of Mr Komoto who launched a new wave of kendama, answer questions and talk about what they saw. Making kendama and doing kendama dance/exercise are opportunities to connect with other key learning areas. Students will also research the history of kendama and learn about the changes to games and lifestyles over time.

Learn about Ikeda Mikio by reading the article and watching the video of his training for Paralympics and see examples of Ikeda's resilience.

Read the interview article of the LINE stamp creator, and explore the meanings of stamps used in SNS and their roles in communication. Then create your own stamps to express your feelings.

Students will read the interview article of Mr Nomura, who blogs about vending machines in Japan. They will also make a comparison with those in their own country, and discuss the reasons why there are so many in Japan, then reflect on what that says about Japanese society.

Students will read an article of Mr Okuyama who work at an aquarium and learn about communication between people and dolphins. By reflecting on their own relationship with animals, students will explore humans’ relationship with animals as well as the natural environment.

Students will study the words of the poet who experienced the great Tohoku disaster in 2011, and will reflect on the power of words.

Students will read the article of a stationary designer, and explore the culture and meaning of personalizing stationary and other items as well as making handmade items.

Students will read the interview article of Ms Yoshido, a communication stylist, and learn about the Japanese spirit of omotenashi. Students also reflect on their own culture of hospitality and think about the feelings and spirit behind these actions.

Mikio Ikeda is an athlete who is training hard for the Paralympics. Students will read the text and watch the video of his training, and learn Mikio’s disability, challenges, dreams and goals. Using their knowledge about Mikio, students will participate in a hot seating activity to gain deeper levels of understanding of the text.

1) Discuss your thoughts based on the article about the track and field athlete.
2) Discuss and express your thoughts to your friends after reading the article.