Our Study of Japan

Yesterday, we began our study of Japan. We read two books about Japan that explained a little of the culture, money, geography and such. We are reading a book called Chibi. It is a cute story about a family of ducks that caused a sensation.

The girls have colored a map of Japan and written out some of the major facts such as: population, religion, currency, language etc....They have also learned that Japan is an island (and what an island is), and that it has over 4000 mountains. Most of the population lives near the coastlines because of all the mountains.

They are coloring a paper doll right now...and playing...smile...of a traditional Japanese woman dressed in a Kimono. We will cut these out and let them play paper dolls with them.

In a little while, we will be drawing a rabbit, one of their native animals, from a drawing instruction book (art).

I just finished reading them a Japenese folktalel- "The Fountain of Youth".

We will hopefully be spending about two weeks on this study. We will take a week off for Thanksgiving break!

The rest of this week the plan is to do an artist study on Hokusai and read some favorite Japanese Children Stories.

Next week, we will continue our study of the culture of Japan, foods of Japan, and read some stories such as The Wise Old Women and apply it to scriptures such as Proverbs 8:12, 10:14, 17:24, 12:15. We will also be reading the boy of the 3 year nap. We will study the history of Hiroshima, as well as, read the Two Foolish Cats.

We will also be learning about Japanese shoe customs and making Origami. We will finish up this study by doing a unit study on the book Crow Boy and taking a trip to a Japanese restaurant.

These are all things we do in the afternoons after we do our normal: reading, spelling, phonics, writing, math and such.

I am trying to squeeze in Reader's Theater and Science and Music too. The girls are starting piano lessons this week...and Upwards cheering and basketball...boy are we busy bees!!!!