Lesson Plan for Week One: ACES
Week of September 29, 2003

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade:

Focus: Location and Information about Japan

Using a map of the world, and a map of Japan (enlarged):
Japan is located on a group of islands off the East Coast of the continent Asia.
Japan (“Nippon”) means “Source of the Sun.”
Japan is the most densely populated country in the world: population: 126 million.
Capital: Tokyo, which is the largest city in the world, population: 12 million.
There are 47 prefectures (states); each with it’s own governor.
There are 4 main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest which includes Tokyo), Kyushu, and Shikoku.
80% of the land is mountainous, 20% is coastal plains.
90% of the population lives on the coastal plains.

Listen to the instrumental recording of the Japanese National Anthem.

Learn the song, “Sakura.”

(Actually teach this song to the students the week before, so there will be time to add the instrumental accompaniment.)
1995 “Music Connection” Textbook
Fourth Grade, page 186, “Old” 4^th C.D. 7, Track #27
Verse (1) English, Verse (2) English and some Japanese, Verse (3) Japanese
Notes for Pentatonic Scale: A B C E F (D is only used once in the song, so exclude this)
Use these instruments for accompaniment: Resonator Bells, Orff Xylophones, and Gongs

Instrument of the Week: Gong

Show pictures of a Gong.
Sound Bank Recording:
1995 “Music Connection” Recording: 1^st Grade C.D. 7, Track #65
There is a picture of a gong on page 374 of the teacher’s textbook.

See the list of Japanese Phrases to be learned this week.

Listening for the week:

From the Shiroishi Elementary C.D., “Soran” Track #9 (3:28)

National Standards addressed in this lesson:

1: The learner will sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
1.01   Sing with pitch and rhythmic accuracy.
1.09 Sing music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
1.10 Show respect for the singing efforts of others.

2: The learner will play on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2.02 Play with appropriate technique and posture.
2.06 Play music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
2.07 Show respect for the instrumental playing efforts of others.

6. The learner will listen to, analyze, and describe music.
6.07 Show respect while listening and analyzing music.

9: The learner will understand music in relation to history and culture.
9.05 Show respect for music from various cultures and historical periods.

Lesson Plan for Week Two: ACES
Week of October 6, 2003

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade:

Review “Sakura,” with the instrumental accompaniment.
Introduce new Japanese Songs for each grade level, all from the 2002 “Making Music” Textbook.

Kindergarten

Page 40, “Kuma san” (“Little Bear”)
C.D. #2, Track #11 Japanese, Track #12 English
Notes used: F G A (only 3)

1^st Grade

Page 144, “Amefuri” (“Japanese Rain Song”)
C.D. #4, Track #9 Japanese, Track #10 English
Notes used: C D E G A (5- Pentatonic Scale)

2^nd Grade

Page 324 “Tanabata-sama” (“Star Festival”)
C.D. #11, Track #5 Japanese, Track #6 English
Notes used: C D F G A (5- Pentatonic Scale)

3^rd Grade

Page 320 “Hama chi dori” (“Plovers” which are birds)
C.D. #10, Track # 8 Japanese, Track # 9 English
Notes used: C D E G A (5- Pentatonic Scale)

4^th Grade

Page 23 “Tsuki” (“The Moon”)
C.D. #1, Track # 20 Japanese, Track # 21 English
Notes used: F G A C D (5- Pentatonic)

5^th Grade

Page 462 “Hitotsu toya” (“Temple Bells”)
C.D. #17, Track # 28 Japanese, Track # 29 English
Notes used: E F G B C (5- Pentatonic Scale)
Instrument of the Week: Shakuhachi
Show pictures of a Shakuhachi.
Sound Bank Recording: Fifth Grade, page 489, C.D. #18, Track #39
Listening Selection with the Shakuhachi, Fifth Grade, page 110, “Shika no Tone,” (“The Sound of Deer Calling One to Another”) C.D. #5 (1:17) From the 18^th Century, by Kohchiro Miyata

Kindergarten though Fifth Grade

Focus: Culture: Food, and Money

Discuss the Japanese diet: mainly seafood and rice.
View the dish display.
Practice using chopsticks, transferring small foods, nuts and raisins.
Discuss Japanese Money, view Yen coins and bill.
Talk about the conversion Rate (Currently $1.00 = 116 Yen).

See the list of Japanese Phrases to be learned this week.

Listening for the week:

Ayumi Hamasaki C.D. Track #1, “Independent,” (4:53)
Japanese Popular Music (J-Pop)

National Standards addressed in this lesson:

1: The learner will sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
1.02   Sing with pitch and rhythmic accuracy.
1.09 Sing music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
1.10 Show respect for the singing efforts of others.

2: The learner will play on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2.02 Play with appropriate technique and posture.
2.06 Play music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
2.07 Show respect for the instrumental playing efforts of others.

6. The learner will listen to, analyze, and describe music.
6.07 Show respect while listening and analyzing music.

9: The learner will understand music in relation to history and culture.
9.05 Show respect for music from various cultures and historical periods.

Lesson Plan for Week Three: ACES
Week of October 13, 2003

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

Review “Sakura,” with the instrumental accompaniment.
Review the new song learned last week: K page 40, 1^st page 144, 2^nd page 324, 3^rd page 320, 4^th page 23, 5^th page 462

Instrument of the Week: Taiko

Show pictures of a Taiko.
Sound Bank Recording: Fifth Grade, page 490 C.D. #18, Track #44
Listening selection with Taiko Drums: Fifth Grade, page 152, “Yaudachi,” C.D. #6, Track #24 (2:42) , Performed by the Soh Daiko Taiko Drummers
Learn the “Movement to Music” to go with “Tanko Bushi,” RMCD #9.
Learn the movement to steady beat, with fans.
See the Typed Choreography (on a separate page), which I wrote.

Focus: Culture: Traditional Dance, Clothing, and Dolls

(I will wear a Kimono for this lesson.)
View the pictures of Kabuki Dance, Kimonos, and Dolls.
Enjoy the display of Dolls.

See the list of Japanese Phrases to be learned this week.

Listening for the week:

Smap C.D. Track #1, (4:18)
Japanese Popular Music (J-Pop)

National Standards addressed in this lesson:

1: The learner will sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
1.03   Sing with pitch and rhythmic accuracy.
1.09 Sing music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
1.10 Show respect for the singing efforts of others.

2: The learner will play on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2.02 Play with appropriate technique and posture.
2.06 Play music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
2.07 Show respect for the instrumental playing efforts of others.

6. The learner will listen to, analyze, and describe music.
6.06 Respond through purposeful movement to selected prominent music characteristics or to specific music events while listening to music.
6.07 Show respect while listening and analyzing music.

9: The learner will understand music in relation to history and culture.
9.05 Show respect for music from various cultures and historical periods.

Lesson Plan for Week Four: ACES
Week of October 20, 2003

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

Review “Sakura,” with the instrumental accompaniment.
Review the Week 2 Song: K page 40, 1^st page 144, 2^nd  page 324, 3^rd page 320 4^th page 23, 5^th page 462.
Review the “Tanko Bushi” dance, with fans.

Instrument of the Week: Koto

Show pictures of a Koto.
Sound Bank Recording: Fifth Grade, Page 488, C.D. #18, Track #34
Learn the “Movement to Music” to go with “Harukoma,” (“Spring Horse Dance.”) 1^st Grade, page 145, C.D. #4, Track #13
Learn the movement to steady beat, with handkerchiefs.
See the Typed Choreography (on a separate page), which I wrote.

Focus: Culture: Schools, Traffic Flow, and Signs

View the pictures of the schools, traffic, vehicles, and signs.
Discuss how traffic moves on the LEFT side of the road.

See the list of Japanese Phrases to be learned this week.

Listening for the week:

Music of the Koto C.D. Track #1, “Rokudan no shirabe,” (7:02)
Traditional Japanese Music

National Standards addressed in this lesson:

1: The learner will sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
1.04   Sing with pitch and rhythmic accuracy.
1.09 Sing music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
1.10 Show respect for the singing efforts of others.

2: The learner will play on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2.02 Play with appropriate technique and posture.
2.06 Play music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
2.07 Show respect for the instrumental playing efforts of others.

6. The learner will listen to, analyze, and describe music.
6.06 Respond through purposeful movement to selected prominent music characteristics or to specific music events while listening to music.
6.07 Show respect while listening and analyzing music.

9: The learner will understand music in relation to history and culture.
9.05 Show respect for music from various cultures and historical periods.

Lesson Plan for Week Five: ACES
Week of October 27, 2003

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

Review “Sakura,” with the instrumental accompaniment.
Review the Week 2 Song: K page 40,  1^st page 144,  2^nd page 324,  3^rd page 320  4^th page 23,  5^th page 462.
Review the “Tanko Bushi” dance, with fans.
Review the “Harukoma” dance, with handkerchiefs.

Introduce new Japanese Songs for each grade level,

K through 3^rd Grade from the 2002 “Making Music” Textbook.
The 4^th and 5^th Grade Song is from the Intermediate Level of “Bridges to Asia,” also from the 2002 Textbook.

Kindergarten

Page 183, “Kaero no uta” (“The Frog Song”)
Big Book Chart, page 33
C.D. #6, Track #24 Japanese, Track #25 English
Notes used: D E F# G A B (6)

First Grade

Page 184, “Hato popo” (“Pigeons”)
C.D. #5, Track #24 Japanese, Track #25 English
Notes used: F G A C D (5- Pentatonic Scale)

Second Grade

Page 385, “Haru ga kita” (“Springtime Has Come”)
C.D. #13, Track #14 Japanese, Track # 15 English
Notes used: Bb C D Eb F G (6)

Third Grade

Page 294, “Jan ken pon” (“Rock, Scissors, Paper”)
C.D. #9, Track #12 Japanese, Track #13 English
Notes used: F G A B C E (6)

Fourth and Fifth Grade

Page 9, “Asadoya” (This is an ancestral family name.)
C.D. #1, Track #6 Japanese (Okinawan), Track #7 English
Notes used: E F# G# B C# (5- Pentatonic Scale)
Instrument of the Week: Shamisen
Show pictures of a Shamisen.
(There is not a Sound Bank Recording for Shamisen.)
Play a selection from the Japanese C.D. of Shamisen Music purchased in Japan.
Storm C.D. Track #1 (4:26)
(This will “act” as our Listening for the week.)

Kindergarten though Fifth Grade

Focus: Culture: Noh and Kyogen Theater

View the pictures of the Noh and Kyogen Theater.

See the list of Japanese Phrases to be learned this week.

National Standards addressed in this lesson:

1: The learner will sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
1.05   Sing with pitch and rhythmic accuracy.
1.09 Sing music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
1.10 Show respect for the singing efforts of others.

2: The learner will play on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2.02 Play with appropriate technique and posture.
2.06 Play music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
2.07 Show respect for the instrumental playing efforts of others.

6. The learner will listen to, analyze, and describe music.
6.06 Respond through purposeful movement to selected prominent music characteristics or to specific music events while listening to music.
6.07 Show respect while listening and analyzing music.

9: The learner will understand music in relation to history and culture.
9.05 Show respect for music from various cultures and historical periods.

Lesson Plan for Week Six: ACES
Week of November 3, 2003

(I will wear another Kimono, for this final lesson.)

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

Review “Sakura,” with the instrumental accompaniment.
Review the Week 2 Song: K page 40,  1^st page 144,  2^nd page 324,  3^rd page 320  4^th page 23,  5^th page 462.
Review the “Tanko Bushi” dance, with fans.
Review the “Harukoma” dance, with handkerchiefs.
Review the Week 5 Song: K page 183, 1^st page 184, 2^nd page 385, 3^rd page 294, 4^th and 5^th page 9.

Instrument of the Week:

Review the five Japanese Instruments studied in the previous five weeks, Gong, Shakuhachi, Taiko, Koto, and the Shamisen.
Have the students try to identify the instruments from the recordings!
(This will “act” as our Listening for the week.)

Focus: Government: Compare and Contrast to the USA

View the pictures of the Diet and Tokyo.
View the Brochure of the Diet.

Review all of the Japanese Phrases learned the past five weeks.

Have the students in Grade 2 – 5 fill out an Evaluation Form.
(See the Evaluation Form on a separate sheet of paper.)

National Standards addressed in this lesson:

1: The learner will sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
1.06   Sing with pitch and rhythmic accuracy.
1.09 Sing music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
1.10 Show respect for the singing efforts of others.

2: The learner will play on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2.02 Play with appropriate technique and posture.
2.06 Play music representing diverse styles, genres, and cultures.
2.07 Show respect for the instrumental playing efforts of others.

6. The learner will listen to, analyze, and describe music.
6.06 Respond through purposeful movement to selected prominent music characteristics or to specific music events while listening to music.
6.07 Show respect while listening and analyzing music.

9: The learner will understand music in relation to history and culture.
9.05 Show respect for music from various cultures and historical periods.