The Japan Forum > Click Nippon > Class Ideas

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 with an interview of an active university student, and learn about student life in Japan, especially the aspect of club activities.

Mr. Kazumichi Miyake, a former rock musician, is now running several businesses successfully in the Philippines. Students will read the interview article and learn about his positive thinking and free spirit, which led him to leave Japan, where he used to have the feeling of being locked up. This will lead students to discuss resilience.

Students read the interview article about Aoyanagi, a tatami maker who makes bags with tatami, and explore traditions in their own environment and how they have been passed down. Students then create a commercial or flyer for the tatami bag.

Read the interview article about Mr. Sato, a member of the staff of Kanagawa Animal Protection Center, and learn about an animal protection center in Japan and Mr. Sato's efforts to protect animals' lives. Students then reflect on their own relationship with animals and develop greater empathy for animals through discussion. Students also create a poster to promote animal welfare.

Students will learn about the Japanese tradition of living mindfully and using things with care through reading about Mr. Maeda’s ideas and the challenges he faces in demonstrating the value of tatami for today and the future. Also students will consider their own lifestyle choices in light of this such ideas. Read about the project to send tatami to disaster areas, and consider the importance of understanding the viewpoint of evacuee when taking action to help.

Students learn about “Ko So A Do Gurun”, a place where disabled children gather, and think of the importance of places like this for the local community. The article mentions “the happiness of doing something for someone”. Students will share their own experiences of this type of happiness in class.

Students will read the article of Shimon-chu, a local idol group, and research Shimon-chu’s local area. Students will have an opportunity to reflect on their own local area and culture. Creative tasks include acting out an interview with Shimon-chu and designing a costume for a local idol group.

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