Theme 1: Home Life

Daily Routine

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about daily routines in the home.
• Exchange information about family routines in the home.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify daily routines based on spoken and written description.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe daily routines.
• Describe family members in relation to daily routines.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss daily routines in Japan.
• Discuss the importance of family in daily routines in Japan.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Explore differences in health and fitness in Japan and the U.S.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare daily routines of typical American teenagers and teenagers from Japan.

Communication Across Communities

• Comprehend information about daily routines of individuals in Japan from print and Internet sources (journal entries, magazine articles, etc.).

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to personal care
• Vocabulary for parts of the body
• Sequencing vocabulary
• Adverbs of frequency, Tokidoki ("sometimes"), Yoku ("often"), etc.
• Review of time and time expressions
• Vocabulary of daily routine (verbs and nouns)

 

Rooms of the House and Household Chores

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about rooms of the house, furnishings, and chores.
• Discuss the home including its rooms, furniture, and household objects.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify the rooms of the house and/or furniture based on spoken and written description.
• Comprehend comments and commands about daily chores and the house.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe the home including its rooms, furniture and household objects.
• Describe family members in relation to daily chores.
• Describe household responsibilities for self and/or family members.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss different styles of houses and living arrangements in Japan.

Connections, Comparisons, and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Make connections between styles of houses and geographic locations.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare household responsibilities of typical American teenagers and teenagers from Japan.
• Compare and contrast space allocation in homes in the U.S. and Japan.
• Identify differences in architecture of homes in Japan and in the U.S.
• Identify home-related katakana cognates.

Communication Across Communities

• Explore information about homes in Japan in print and Internet resources.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to furniture and furnishings
• Affirmative and negative commands
• Sequencing vocabulary (Te-forming verbs)
• Prepositions of location
• Adverbs of frequency

 

Food

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions relating to food.
• Ask and answer questions about food at a celebration.
• Order or take an order for a meal in a variety of dining situations.
• Exchange opinions about food.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify foods based on spoken and written description.
• Understand comments and commands about foods and/or celebrations.
• Identify foods based on visual aids.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe foods and/or shopping for food.
• Describe foods and menus in relation to celebrations.
• Describe a menu or recipe from Japan.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss the different eating customs for formal and informal meals in Japan.
• Discuss the different food shopping patterns in Japan (frequency, specialty shops, etc.).
• Discuss typical mealtime schedules in Japan.
• Discuss the staple foods of Japan (e.g. rice, soybean products, beans, etc.).

Communication Across Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss the influence of Japanese foods and cooking styles in the United States.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare the differences between Americans and Japanese cuisines.
• Compare the role of food in celebrations in the U.S. and in Japan.
• Contrast the eating habits and food preparation in the U.S. and in Japan.
• Discuss the influence of American fast-food on eating habits in Japan.
• Discuss the increasing popularity within the American diet of food items of Japan and the effect on vocabulary (tofu, sushi, miso, shooyu, wasabi, etc.).

Communication Across Communities

• Demonstrate knowledge of recipes and menus for celebrations in Japan.
• Demonstrate knowledge of typical food products from Japan.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to table settings
• Vocabulary related to opinions about food (oishii, karai, amai, etc.)
• Direct and indirect object pronouns
• Courtesy expressions (itadakimasu, gochisousama, etc.)
• Affirmative and negative commands

Theme 2: Student Life

Classes and School Routines

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about classes and school routines.
• Give and understand basic instructions on class and school procedures.
• Exchange information about past, present and future school plans.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understand announcements related to the school day and schedule.
• Understand procedures for using the computer.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Produce spoken and written presentations in relation to classes and school routines.
• Present rehearsed and unrehearsed material, such as role-plays, skits, poems, plays, short narratives, and songs.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products

• Identify some aspects of school systems of Japan.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Identify educational and vocational options for students in Japan.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast school routines in the U.S. and in Japan.

Communication Across Communities

• Describe school routines of teenagers in Japan.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Computer terminology

 

School-Related Activities

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about school-related activities.
• Exchange information about past school-related activities compared to current school-related activities.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Interpret spoken and written presentations about school-related activities.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Produce spoken and written presentations in relation to classes and school routines.
• Present rehearsed and unrehearsed material, such as role-plays, skits, poems, plays, short narratives, and songs.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products

• Describe school-related activities in Japan.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Identify after-school activities and extracurricular sports available in Japan.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast the popularity of school-related activities such as yearbook, band, and theater in Japan and in the U.S.
• Identify katakana (foreign loan) words related to school activities.

Communication Across Communities

• Identify activities offered through community clubs in Japan.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Past tenses
• Sequencing vocabulary (conjunctions and Te-form connectives)

 

Health and Fitness

Communication

Person-to-Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about fitness and exercise.
• Ask and answer questions about a nutritional diet.
• Exchange information about maintaining good health.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understanding directions of a fitness or diet plan.
• Comprehend information advocating a healthy lifestyle.
• Identify body parts based on oral or written information.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Produce spoken and written presentations about health and fitness.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products

• Discuss the importance of health and fitness in Japan.
• Discuss Japanese traditional alternative medicines and methods.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss health and fitness issues as presented in P. E. class.
• Express height and weight using the metric system.

Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons

• Compare and contrast what is perceived as a healthy lifestyle in Japan and in the U.S.
• Compare fitness activities and sports complexes (such as gyms) in Japan and the U.S.
• Compare structures used to express pain and injury in Japanese and English.
• Compare the use of reflexive and nonreflexive verbs to discuss health conditions in Japanese and English.

Communication Across Communities

• Interpret authentic Japanese language material related to health and fitness.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary for giving advice for good health
• Commands

Theme 3: Leisure Time

Indoor and Outdoor Activities

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about indoor and outdoor activities.
• Share opinions about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understand announcements and advertisements about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
• Comprehend spoken or written narratives about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Present information about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
• Describe when, where, and how often one participates in indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
• Tell about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities that took place in the past.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss how and where young people spend leisure time in Japan.
• Discuss popular sports and sporting events in Japan, such as soccer, sumo wrestling, and baseball.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss famous Japanese individuals studied in other classes (sports figures, musicians, artists, etc.).

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare indoor and outdoor leisure time activities in Japan and the U.S.
• Compare the amount of time and money spent on indoor and outdoor leisure time activities in Japan and the U.S.
• Compare the use of the past tense in Japanese and English.
• Identify katakana (foreign loan) words for indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.

Communication Across Communities

• Explore information about indoor and outdoor activities in Japan in print and Internet sources.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary for locations for leisure time activities
• Vocabulary for expressing opinions
• Sequencing vocabulary such as hajimeni ("at first"), sorekara ("after that"), and tsugi ("next")
• Formal and informal questions
• Adjectives of description
• Vocabulary related to indoor and outdoor activities

 

Shopping

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions related to shopping.
• Ask for and give a detailed description of an item being purchased.
• Ask and answer questions regarding where items can be purchased and for how much.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify and comprehend descriptions of items in an advertisement.
• Comprehend oral and written information about where specific items can be purchased.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Tell about the purchase and/or sale of an item.
• Relate a shopping experience.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Identify currency of Japan.
• Identify shopping customs in Japan.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Compare merchandise prices in the U.S. to prices in Japan.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare shopping venues in Japan and the U.S.
• Discuss the American influence on stores and products in Japan.
• Discuss unique crafts and specialties in Japan.
• Identify katakana (foreign loan) words related to shopping.
• Compare the use of counters in Japanese and English.

Communication Across Communities

• Identify merchandise available on the Internet, through catalogs and/or in advertisements from Japan or local retail establishments.
• Identify international job opportunities related to retail and marketing.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Expressions of politeness
• Use of counters
• Descriptive adjectives
• Affirmative and negative commands

 

Special Events

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions related to special events (e.g. holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc.).
• Ask for and give a detailed description of a special event.
• Ask and answer questions regarding plans for a special event.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Comprehend descriptions of items needed for a special event.
• Comprehend invitations and announcements for special events.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Invite a friend to attend a special event.
• Describe a past, present or future celebration.
• Present rehearsed and nonrehearsed material related to a special event, such as a skit, poem, play or song.
• Respond to an invitation orally or in writing.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Identify holidays and typical celebrations of Japan.
• Discuss how Japanese people celebrate special events.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss traditional foods served at special events in Japan.
• Discuss how Japanese people celebrate special events.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare and contrast holidays and celebrations in Japan and the United States.

Communication Across Communities

• Identify options for attending Japanese special events or celebrations in the metropolitan area, such as Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival).

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to celebrations and special occasions (food, activities).
• Extending, accepting, and refusing invitations
• Extending good wishes
• Giving and receiving expressions based on in- and out-groups

Theme 4: Vacation and Travel

Travel Plans and Activities

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Discuss and make travel plans.
• Ask and answer questions about travel and vacations, to include transportation schedules, modes of transportation, destinations and activities.
• Discuss past travel experience.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Interpret materials providing travel information.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Describe past travel experiences and future travel plans.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss common modes of transportation in Japan.
• Discuss typical vacation spots and resorts in Japan.
• Discuss what teens in Japan enjoy doing while on vacation.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss temperature and weather in Japan.
• Discuss the use of the  24-hour clock in Japan.
• Identify the geographical locations of Japan and its neighboring countries.
• Do mathematical computations to figure travel costs.
• Discuss the impact of current events on foreign travel.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Compare travel and vacations in the U.S. and Japan.
• Compare the importance of public transportation in the U.S. and in Japan.
• Identify katakana (foreign loan) words related to travel, such as suutsukeesu, pasupooto, etc.

Communication Across Communities

• Utilize authentic materials to make travel plans to go to or travel in Japan.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Modes of transportation
• Affirmative and negative commands
• Prepositions with places and transportation
• Vocabulary for places of interest

 

Countries and Nationalities

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask and answer questions about nationality and country of origin.
• Ask and answer questions about countries.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Identify various countries and nationalities.
• Interpret maps of Japan.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Discuss countries, cities, and languages spoken in Japan.
• Give geographical locations for countries, cities, and geographical features.
• Present information about nationalities and/or origins.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss the impact of geography of daily life.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Discuss or write about news events related to the geography of Japan.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Identify katakana (foreign loan) words for countries and nationalities.

Communication Across Communities

• Locate and use resources with information about Japan as a travel destination (Internet, brochures, etc.).

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary for geographic locations (N, S, E, W, etc.)
• Particles and relationals of location with cities and countries

 

Asking for and Giving Directions

Communication

Person to Person Communication

• Ask for and give directions.
• Discuss where various places are located in Japan.

Listening and Reading for Understanding

• Understand written and spoken directions.
• Interpret directions with the assistance of a map.

Oral and Written Presentation

• Tell about going to specific places using various time frames (past, present and future).
• Give directions to a destination.

Cultures

Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products

• Discuss typical modes of transportation and places found in Japan.

Connections, Comparisons and Communities

Making Connections Through Language

• Use map-reading skills to interpret a map of a Japanese city or region.

Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons

• Identify similarities and differences between American cities and cities in Japan.
• Identify differences between American and Japanese ways of giving directions (distance v. time).

Communication Across Communities

• Access and interpret maps from Japan.

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Places of interest in Japanese cities
• Modes of transportation in Japan
• Places to go for directions in Japan, such as the police box