Japanese Items As Explained by Third Year Junior High Shoolers

The school year is rapidly careening towards the end and third grade junior high schoolers are feverishly preparing for graduation in March.

There's a cheesy "time marches onward" pun in there somewhere.

With the end nigh, my third years are just about finished with the text book. So my lessons have mostly been general grammar reviews in the form of Jeopardy, Partner Interviews and Syntax Puzzles. Good lord, when did I turn into Aunt Josephine from "A Series of Unfortunate Events?"

One such grammar activity I made for my kids last week was to practice passive tense: "was made by...," "is a kind of...," "is used for..." I know, I know. This nails-on-chalkboard kind of grammar tears at the soul of every English major, but it's a big part of the curriculum for third years. So here I was, composing an activity so the kids could practice writing about how something is made, what it's for and who it's enjoyed by.

A shiver just went up my spine.

I needed something they could do quickly, so I turned to Japanese culture. It's something they're familiar with and so could easily write three or four sentences about. I brought a few items to class in a paper bag and let six kids grab a random item. Then groups wrote about one of the six things. At the end of class, I collected their worksheets. I actually learned a few things from their explanations! So here you have it: a mini culture lesson courtesy of my students.

Seiro

It is used when you steam nikuman and syuumai.
It is used to make a steamed bun.
This seiro is made in VIETNAM. (I later realized the "Made in VIETNAM" sticker was on it)
It is made of bamboo.






 
Kadomatsu

In the west, it is believed kadomatsu feet bring good luck.
It usually stands by the porch.
It is made of take and matsu and ume.
It is made of pine brances and Japanese apricot twigs.
The evergreen symbolizes longevity and celebration. (Yeah, a student wrote that!)
Be careful. If you don't have a business, don't touch kadomatsu. (Well, dang. Did I just get told?)





 
Ikura (relax, I brought in a key chain of plastic ikura)

Ikura is a kind of traditional Japanese food.
It is made of salmon roe and nori and rice.
Ikura is a kind of fish egg.
Ikura is salmon roe preserved in brine. (Again, a student!)
It is eaten by many.
It is enjoyed by some.
It's usually spherical. (Look at that!)
The ikura usually shakes on the rice.






 
Sushi (just brought in toy sushi, not the real deal)
 

It is a kind of traditional Japanese food.
It has a good taste.
If you eat sushi, you should use shouyu.
Raw fish is used in sushi.
Sushi is the representative food of Japan. (Look at these guys go!)
There are many kinds of sushi in Japan.
Delicious! Delicious! (Agreed, agreed)


 
Sensu
Sensu is a traditional Japanese item.
It is usually used when we are hot.
They usually have very cool designs.
Some of them are very beautiful.
Sensu is used when we fan.
It is used by old people.
It usually isn't used in the winter.








Makisu 

This is used to make maki sushi beautiful.
It is usually made of bamboo or wood.
It is usually made by hand.
It is made by a craftsperson.
Makisushi is made with rice and laver.
Put nori on the makisu and put rice on the nori and bind it with the makisu.






Class dismissed!