Teacher's Guide for APPLESEEDS Children of Ancient JapanJanuary 2006
By Celestine Smith Candida, middle school history teacher at St. Mark's Episcopal School in Downey, CA
"Island Chain"- Pages 2-3
Activity: Have students make a clay version of the map on these pages. Use the following recipe: Map Modeling Clay Recipe Materials
1 cup salt
I cup flour
2/3 cup water
Bowl
Marking pen
Food coloring or paint
Heavy cardboard Process
1. Mix salt and flour in a bowl
2. Add enough water until thick as frosting
3. Stir
4. Add food coloring before molding, or mold and paint when dry
5. Draw map on heavy cardboard
6. Spread mixture on cardboard
7. Let dry
"I Was Here First" -Pages 4-5 After reading the article, have students answer the following questions.
1. Where did Tashina and her family live?
2. What jobs did Tashina and her sister do?
3. What will Tashina do at the age of 12?
4. Describe the Ainu man.
5. What was the father's job?
6. What were the beliefs of the Ainu?
"Long-Ago Days" - Pages 6-9
Activity 1: Have students read the article. Then have a class discussion comparing life in the country vs. life in the city. Have students come up with similarities and differences.
Activity 2: Have students research rice production in the world. Where is rice grown?
How is it grown? What are the others uses for rice?
Activity 3: Have students bring in different rice dishes ( i.e. fried rice, Spanish rice, risotto, etc.) for a taste testing party.
"Shinto and Buddhism"- Page 9
Extended activity: Have students research the different sects of Buddhism and it founder Siddhartha Guatama
"Samurai-One who Serves"- Pages 10-12
Creative Writing: Have students write a story about a boy training to be a samurai. Include facts from the article.
"Ningya" -Pages 13-15
After reading the article, have students answer the following questions.
1. What was the purpose of a doll in ancient Japan?
2. What materials were used to make dolls?
3. How did people in ancient Japan used dolls?
4. Who first made dolls?
5. What was an amagatsu?
6. Who received an amagatsu?
7. Who received a houko?
8. What happened to dolls over time?
9. What was hinamatsuri?
10. What happened on March 3?
11. What was the superstition surrounding hinamatsuri?
"The Legend of Amakusa Shiro"- Pages 16-17
1. Why is Amakusa Shiro an important figure in ancient Japanese history?
2. What happened in October 1637?
Extended activity: Discuss the importance of religious tolerance. Have students think of other groups or individuals who fought for the right to practice their religion without fear.
"Ikkyou's Sweet Punishment"- Pages 18-21
Activity: Read the story aloud. Have students create a booklet based on the story. Include the setting, characters, plot and illustrations.
"Aha! A Haiku" -Pages 22-24
Activity: Have students write a haiku about some aspect of nature. Also, have them create a watercolor illustration based on their poem.
"The Rabbit in the Room"- Page 33
Activity: Read the story aloud. Have students draw what they remember from the story.
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