Last Day of the Japan Unit

Groups 8-1 and 8-3
Today we had a look at the Tokugawa Shogunate and learned how Tokugawa united the warring daimyo's. We also found out that it was Tokugawa Ieyasu who moved the capital to Edo, known in modern day as Tokyo. The link is here: Tokugawa Shogunate  We made a quick review and wrote a test.  The test showed some larger connections, that is, how the geography, the religion, early history and Feudalism have influenced the Japanese society today.  We closed with a short film about the modern Pop Culture in Japan Link is here
J Pop: Japanese popular culture.

I wish you all a wonderful spring break and thank you for contributing to my teaching practicum. It was a wonderful experience.

Mr. Marshall will be collecting the Japan tests from me and you will be getting the assessment results after the break!

Today we have a chance to comment on the Summaries from the History Lesson on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. We read over Japan - A Brief History- and talked about some aspects of it.  You were asked to fill out a blank Pyramid sheet and make a compare and contrast between Feudalism in Europe and Feudalism in Japan.  Tomorrow we will have a short open book assignment that will be used as an assessment piece for the course.  Each student can prepare by reading Japan- A Brief History as homework.

Today we learned about the Feudal System in Japan.  We looked at a short Power point: Japan.
We did some reading on our own and were asked to answer: 2 of 6 Definition questions and 2 short answers a) and b) [We did not have time to do any further].  Many students finished in the tight time frame, however, some did not.  Students requested to take it home for homework.

The sheets are due: Thursday, March 13. 
*** This sheet counts as an assessment for your report cards.

Today we caught a little glimpse of the Feudal period and the life of Samurai by watching the trailer from a famous movie, Yojimba (1961) The link is here Yojimba Trailer (1961).  We noted that Japanese Samurai are depicted heroically in Japanese culture much like the cowboys of the West in the United States.

The groups finished up their summaries and posted them to the blog.  You were then asked to give your information into four succinct sentences 1. Who 2. When 3. What happened and 4. So What?  Many of you found the so what to be the most difficult, but you got it! Good Work!

We got to enjoy some brief summary presentations.  It was great to see the collaborative group work. Working in groups is hard work especially keeping everyone focused on the job that has to get done.

I have asked you to read the handout a brief history of Japan and highlight as you read the comparisons between feudal Europe and feudal Japan.

Japan's History Group 8-1

Today we are reviewing a large amount of history with "expert groups."  Each group has been asked to summarizes what they have read in two ways.  Make point notes,  and summary to the blog.
The blog summaries are posted here in comments.  Each student must comment on at least two of the "other summaries" The comments will be done at the end of class or as homework.

Today we caught a little glimpse of the Feudal period and the life of Samurai by watching the trailer from a famous movie, Yojimba (1961).  We noted that Japanese Samurai are depicted heroically in Japanese culture much like the cowboys of the West in the United States.

The groups from Friday finished up their summaries and posted to the blog.  There is still one group that needs to do this.  You were then asked to read the summaries and leave comments with your names attached.  There were many comments without names and these will be deleted.  Make sure you get credit for your effort and use your name!  Many of you have not had a chance to comment yet, so make sure that you do next class.

We got to enjoy some brief summary presentations and we will finish watching them at the end of next class.  Thank you to those who worked collaboratively to get their group work done.

Today we are reviewing a large amount of history with "expert groups."  Each group has been asked to summaries what they have read in three ways.  Make point notes, a sketch note and summary to the blog.
The blog summaries are posted here in comments.  Each student must comment on at least two of the "other summaries" The comments will be done in class or as homework.

Japan's Georgaphy

Today, we looked at the Geography of Japan.  We looked at where Japan is in the world in relation to Canada.  We looked at several different maps that depicted the following: the Pacific Ring of Fire, the population, topography,climate and currents. The maps can be accessed here: Japan: Maps  In groups, we shared photos of Japan and made hypotheses of where the photos could have been taken by using our new understanding. Your hypothesis were right on the mark! We discussed how Japan is isolated and protected due to its geography.We also noted the lack of arable land and high population density in low lying regions. Lastly, we considered how Japan's beauty and cataclysmic natural history has created a culture that reveres (deeply respects) nature.

The class worked on a worksheet and answered the questions using both the text, pages 175-177 and google.  A copy of the worksheet can be found here Japan: Geography Worksheet.

The History of Japan from Ainu Culture to the Minamoto.

Today we are reviewing a large amount of history with "expert groups."  Each group has been asked to summaries what they have read in three ways.  Make point notes, a sketch note and summary to the blog.
The blog summaries are posted here in comments.  Each student must comment on at least two of the "other summaries" The comments will be done in class or as homework.

Geography of Japan

Today, we looked at the Geography of Japan.  We looked at where Japan is in the world in relation to Canada.  We looked at several different maps that depicted the following: the Pacific Ring of Fire, the population, topography,climate and currents. The maps can be accessed here: Japan: Maps  In groups, we shared photos of Japan and made hypotheses of where the photos could have been taken by using our new understanding. Your hypothesis were right on the mark! We discussed how Japan is isolated and protected due to its geography.We also noted the lack of arable land and high population density in low lying regions. Lastly, we considered how Japan's beauty and cataclysmic natural history has created a culture that reveres (deeply respects) nature.

The class worked on a worksheet and answered the questions using both the text, pages 175-177 and google.  A copy of the worksheet can be found here Japan: Geography Worksheet.

Homework: You are expected to have a finished map and this geography worksheet completed for next class on Friday, March 7, 2014

Introduction to Japan

Today, we looked briefly at where Japan is in the world. We looked at "snapshots" of Japan's culture, history and geography in order to get a feeling for the land and its people. The slide show can be found here slide show of Japan
We also had a chance to share what we know with a KWL exercise: What we know? What we want to know and what we learnt: ( you will be able to access your KWL document here once it is finished). Everyone put in a great effort coming up with ideas!
We also had a chance to label a map of Japan with its oceans, its islands and its neighbours. As an extra, I asked you to label Tokyo and Mt Fuji (aka Fuji San).

If you missed this exercise, the map can be picked up in Mr. Marshall's room.

The Geography of Japan

Today, we looked at the Geography of Japan.  We looked at where Japan is in the world in relation to Canada.  We looked at several different maps that depicted the following: the Pacific Ring of Fire, the population, topography,climate and currents. The maps can be accessed here: Japan: Maps  In groups, we shared photos of Japan and made hypotheses of where the photos could have been taken by using our new understanding. Great hypotheses! We discussed how Japan is isolated and protected due to its geography.We also noted the lack of arable land and high population density in low lying regions. Lastly, we considered how Japan's beauty and cataclysmic natural history has created a culture that reveres (deeply respects) nature.

The class worked on a worksheet and answered the questions using both the text, pages 175-177 and google.  A copy of the worksheet can be found here Japan: Geography Worksheet.

Introduction to Japan 8-2

Today, we looked briefly at where Japan is in the world. We looked at "snapshots" of Japan's culture, history and geography in order to get a feeling for the land and its people. The slide show can be found here Japan slide show
We also had a chance to share what we know with a KWL exercise: What we know? What we want to know and what we learnt: You can access the document here ( you will be able to access your KWL document here once it is finished). It was great to see how engaged everyone was with the activity.  
We also filled out a map of Japan. We labelled its 4 main islands, the seas and oceans, Mt. Fuji, Tokyo and the countries to the west of it.

Homework: Please finish the map for homework and bring it to next class on Wednesday, March 5.