Students watch a video on the Japanese education system and compare it to their own. Then they learn about traditional elements of Japanese culture, including theater arts, tea ceremonies, and floral arranging. Next, students explore Japanese pop culture, researching and reporting on anime, manga, and Pokémon. Finally, students compose a letter to a Japanese student describing their own culture and asking questions about Japanese culture.
Students are introduced to the focus on Japanese culture and education, then respond in a table to describe what they know about how school in their own country compares to school in other countries. They watch School in Japan to learn about a Japanese student’s school life and post to a discussion wall about what they noticed and how it compares to school experiences in their own community.
Teacher MovesPresent the lesson overview and objectives. Facilitate a brief discussion of students’ initial ideas about schooling in different countries, highlighting questions they have about Japan. After the video, prompt students to notice features such as independence, structure, and expectations, and explain how Japan’s education system reflects broader cultural values.
Students read about traditional and modern elements of Japanese culture and choose one traditional cultural form (such as kabuki, noh, kyogen, bunraku, tea ceremony, or ikebana). Using the internet, they conduct a quick scavenger hunt to find a description and an image or video of their chosen element, then post these to a discussion wall. They review classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with a question or positive comment.
Teacher MovesClarify expectations for the online scavenger hunt and guide students in selecting credible sources. Monitor posts to ensure each traditional cultural element is represented and accurate. If time allows, invite students to briefly present their findings and lead a discussion about what these traditional practices reveal about Japanese values and daily life.
Students read a summary about manga, anime, and Pokémon to learn about Japanese popular culture, then conduct additional online research on these topics. They create a report that defines each term, gives a brief history, describes its influence in Japan and globally, and includes at least one image example. Students post their report to a discussion wall or share a link to a digital presentation created with an online tool, then review classmates’ reports and respond to at least two with a question or positive comment.
Teacher MovesReview the purpose of examining Japanese pop culture and provide guidance on organizing the report (definitions, history, influence, and visuals). Suggest appropriate digital tools and support students in using them effectively. Monitor the discussion wall, prompting students to compare traditional and pop culture influences and to consider how Japanese cultural products have spread internationally.
Students reflect on what they have learned about Japanese education, traditional culture, and pop culture, then write a letter to a Japanese student their age. In the letter, they describe several features of American pop culture and ask several questions about life as a young person in Japan. They submit the letter to the teacher.
Teacher MovesFrame the letter-writing task as an opportunity to connect cultures and apply new learning. Provide guidance on letter format, tone, and including specific cultural details and thoughtful questions. Consider whether to establish pen pal exchanges and, if interested, consult Pen Pals in the 21st Century for ideas on implementing a pen pal program.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
©2026 Exploros. All rights reserved.