After teaching Hands-On Geography to 22 homeschoolers, I have gathered a few Around the World Activities your homeschool students might enjoy!
Download a Japan Facts Worksheet. This information is not enough to provide all the background info on Japan. It’s just a few pages to supplement and lightly brush upon Japan facts – not it’s history. You will definitely need to hit the library, atlas, or other resources to complete a full Japan unit study.
My first suggestion is to Compare and Contrast China and Japan using a Venn Diagram. This is the most visual activity to clearly see a list of similarities and differences. It’s really easy to label everything Asian, but there are many differences between Japan and China. List them! China & Japan Compare Contrast Worksheet
I played a quick “word game” with my students. I would say something that went with Japan and asked them to give me one word description. Here are some of their answers:
Samurai – special armor, helmet, code of conduct. It is a bit shocking to learn the samurai warrior turned in to the modern day sumo wrestler.
Tea Ceremony – specific, beautiful, precise.
Gardens & Bonsai – precise, lovely, purposeful.
Calligraphy – elegant writing, fancy invitations.
Sushi – rice, raw fish, rolled food.
Anime & Manga – big eyes, wild hair, Disney of Japan.
Origami Paper Crane – originated in China – Cranes special to Japan.
Sumo Wrestling – very large men – celebrities.
Genghis Khan – angry Mongolian warrior tried to invade Japan. Print his Bio Page!
Get Wild
Japan’s wild life is interesting for such a small country! Learn more about macaques. (that’s a type of monkey) Print this Macaque Animal Worksheet to fill in your answers. Have a different favorite animal from Japan? Print a blank Animal Worksheet.
Craft It
You can color in any Japanese flag or create your own using construction paper. Luckly, you only need two colors, white and red! Cut out a red circle and glue it to the center of the white construction paper.
Still feeling crafty? Grab the modeling clay. Pick something from this list:
3 Main Islands
Volcanoes
Mount Fuji
Samurai Swords
Black Bear
Cherry Blossoms
Koi (fish)
Bonsai Tree
Sushi
Pokemon
Go Visit!
It’s great that Epcot has a Japan pavilion in the World Showcase. If you’re a passholder or on vacation you can check out the beautiful architecture, castle, koi pond, drum performance (our favorite) and stores full of Japanese merchandise. You can even buy a lot of Japanese candy and Pokemon.
A definite “must do” on the list is Visit a Japanese Garden.
The one in San Francisco is absolutely lovely. My boys loved the architecture and bonsai trees! My great Aunt Alyce has a beautiful little bonsai garden – in Massachusetts.
Not traveling? Make a Paper Bag Map of Japan. Or create one of our favorite crafts! Click over to read how we made a Tissue Paper Cherry Blossom Branch. I’ve always wished our DC trips lined up with Cherry Blossom Season, but we’ve either just missed it or arrived too early. I’d love to see it.
Hungry? Thirsty?
Interduce your children to green tea! We purchased a sample box and have loved afternoon tea time.
Make your own sushi for lunch. Can you imagine eating fresh sushi in Japan? My husband has told me it is out of this world, crazy good! So grab a few items you know your children enjoy – or recreate their favorite sushi roll.
Add any of these activities to your geography lessons! They are great supplements to a Japan unit study.
Looking for more Around the World Hands-On Activities?! I’ve created a few!