Neighborhoods in Japan, July 10 - 14, 2017

Neighborhoods in Japan:

Learning and Teaching about Community through Stories, Videos, and Images

An NCTA seminar for teachers of grades 2-8

July 10 - 14, 2017
8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Mon-Fri)
At the University of Washington in Seattle

Apply by March 31st

Seminar leader: Patricia Burleson with guest segments led by Professor Robert Pekannen and longtime EARC collaborator Oralee Kramer

Neighborhoods in Japan will use stories, videos, and images to build an understanding of community life in Japan today. The seminar’s guiding question will be “How can we introduce our students to diverse stories of life in Japan?” In addition to exploring a rich variety of resources, the week will focus on adapting content and materials for use in your grade 2-8 classroom. We'll use books such as I Live in Tokyo, The Wakame Gatherers, and the 2016 verse novel Up from the Sea, among others.

University of Washington Professor Robert Pekannen will join us to discuss his latest research on how strong neighborhood associations contribute to quality of life and effective governance in Japan.

Seminar goals:
• Learn about multiple characteristics and ways of life in a variety of Japanese neighborhoods.
• Encourage students to explore ways of living in neighborhoods in another country.
• Compare and contrast neighborhoods in Japan with your local neighborhoods through features such as police and fire departments, places of worship, and shops.
• Consider how neighborhoods contribute to a sense of identity and belonging.
• Discover common and unique neighborhood festivals.
• Study maps for hints about neighborhood characteristics and history.
Teachers will leave the seminar with:
• Reliable resources, including several books, and knowledge to support their teaching of Japanese culture in their curriculum
• Creative ideas, lessons, and activities ready to use in their classrooms
• An interest in learning more about life in Japan
• A framework for exploring neighborhoods in other countries

Please refer to the application for additional details and eligibility requirements.