My Japanese Friend and Me

A WebQuest for 2nd Grade Library Media

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Designed by Eleanor Goldman
egoldman@ssds-hartford.org

 Introduction  |  Task   | Process   |Evaluation

Introduction

Imagine that somewhere in Japan is a boy or girl your age, that you might like to be friends with. This friend would be someone nice, like you, but different, because they are growing up in a country that this is very different from ours.

Your job is to tell us about your friend's life, and compare it to your life. You'll want to include important information like what your friend likes to eat, what is school like for him, what is his home like, and what is his favorite holiday.

 

The Task

 In order to make your friend's life seem real, you will need to learn about what life is really like for Japanese kids, by doing research and taking notes. Then you will make a poster of you and your friend, and share with us what is the same and different about you and your Japanese friend.


The Process

You will visit the  websites listed on this page, and read about Japanese people and their lives. You will take notes, using the worksheet your teacher gives you. Remember to never copy sentences! Put everything in your own words!

After you are finished taking notes on your worksheet, you will create a poster with a picture of you and your friend. Next to each of the people on the poster, you will write details about their lives, such as what they each like to eat. The details you write for your friend will come from the research you learned.

You may work alone or with a friend.

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Here are some sites about how Japanese people live. What is his house like? What does he wear? What does your friend eat? What is school like for him?

Here is what a teacher learned who visited Japan, about Japanese food, schools, houses, and other subjects.

http://www.sover.net/~johnd/categories.html

Kimonos are special beautiful robes that have been worn in Japan for over a thousand years. Here's info about kimonos for children. When does your friend wear a kimono?

http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/kimono-child.html

Why Japanese take off their shoes when they enter houses:

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/housing/q1.html

How Japanese eat a meal:

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/cook/intro/intro01.html

 

Check out these three festivals. Which is your friend's favorite festival and why?

        The Cherry Blossom Festival:

        http://www.topics-mag.com/internatl/customs/japan-  hanami.htm

        Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girls' Festival)

        http://web- japan.org/kidsweb/explore/calendar/march/hinamatsuri.html

        Bon Festival

        http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/calendar/august/bon.html

Here are some sites about Japanese customs. What customs are important in your friend's life?

If you have extra time, find out lots more about Japan:

Directions for this site:

1. click on People and Places in the left-side column.

2. Click on Japan under the letter "J"

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/

 

Evaluation

Your group of two will be evaluated on how successfully you completed the activities.  The areas that you will be evaluated on will be:

1.  Did you work cooperatively together?

2.  Did you contribute your share of the work by researching the websites and taking notes in your own words?

3.  Did you contribute your share of the work in creating the final projects that are the posters of you and your Japanese friend? 

    Your will be give a score of 1 to 4 with 4 being the highest and best that you can achieve.

1- You are a Beginner group member.

2- You are a Satisfactory group member.

3- You are a Cooperative group member.

4- You are an Outstanding group member.