Human Society and its Environment
STAGE 3 – YEAR 6
STUDY OF A CULTURAL GROUP: JAPAN
CONTENT OUTCOMES
CUS3.4- Examines how cultures change through interactions with
other cultures and the environment.
 examines cultures within another nation
 identifies the impact that the environment can have on
any culture
 examines how cultural diversity causes cultural change,
including conflict
 explores cultural change in their own country of origin or
in a country of interest
ENS3.6- Explains how various beliefs and practices influence the
ways in which people interact with, change and value their
environment.
 examines factors that may give rise to different views
about the care of places
 evaluates alternative views about the use of natural and
built environments
 examines how natural, cultural, religious, historical,
economic and political factors can influence people’s
interactions with environments
RESEARCH TOPICS
ASSESSMENT
Students will research the following topics:
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
 Geography: general information, climate and natural
 Complete the adequate amount of tasks in time
disasters
provided;
 History: rulers and warriors, and World War II
 Provide quality responses to each task;
 Customs and culture: religious beliefs, celebrations and
 Work cooperatively in group situations;
ceremonies, traditional dress, arts, and language and
 Use the internet and other resources to gather
writing
information;
 Society: food, home-life, transport, and sport
 Reflect on tasks in order to produce a quality
 Nature and environment: flora and fauna, landmarks, and
presentation;
Japanese gardens
 Present information to an audience
PRESENTATION AND REFLECTION ON UNIT
WEEKS TEN AND ELEVEN. Students will compile all of their researched information into a traveller’s package. This traveller’s package
will be presented to the Year Four class. The package must convince the audience that Japan is the place to visit. The Year Four
class will vote on the package that was the most interesting, informative, entertaining, and most important of all, convincing.
LEARNING ENGAGEMENTS
WK
TOPIC
WORKING TOWARDS
GEOGRAPHY
WEEKS ONE AND TWO
1. Make a facts chart about Japan.
Locate information on its location,
size, population, major cities,
currency, neighbouring countries, as
well as any other information you
think is important.
2. Using a map of Japan, label all
major cities and well-known
landmarks.
3. Prepare a flowchart which explains
the different seasons in the Japanese
year.
4. Construct a pictorial timeline of the
major natural disasters in Japan’s
history. Include a short written
description about each event
(damage, casualties, and fatalities).
5. Choose one natural disaster in
Japan’s history and write a summary
report on the event.
WORKING AT
1. Design a questionnaire about
Japan. Questions should be about
Japan’s location, size, population,
major cities, currency, neighbouring
countries, as well as any other
information you think is important.
2. Tourists need to know the best time
of year to visit Japan. Design a poster
that recommends the best time you
believe is to visit Japan. Make sure
you research and include information
about the climate.
3. Research and write a report on
one of the major disaster in Japan’s
history. Include information about
why this natural disaster occurred.
WORKING BEYOND
1. Tourists love taking home souvenirs
from Japan that reminds them of their
trip away. Invent a game that tourists
could buy to take home that includes
facts about Japan, such as its
location, size, population, major
cities, currency, etc.
2. Research one natural disaster and
the effects it had on the Japanese
people. Then plan an ‘Emergency
Pamphlet’ that explains: what is the
natural disaster, its potential threats,
and what to do when it occurs.
2. Draw a diagram of a Samurai in his
body armour with his weapons. Label
the diagram.
HISTORY
WEEK THREE
1. Make a cartoon strip which
explains the differences between
Emperors, Shoguns, and Samurais.
3. Make a timeline outlining Japan’s
involvement in WWII.
4. Summarise the effects the atomic
bombs had on the Japanese people.
5. Answer the following questions in
full sentences: Who is Sadako? What
illness did she have? Why was she
trying to make 1000 paper cranes?
CUSTOMS AND CULTURE
WEEKS FOUR AND FIVE
1. Distinguish between the customs
and beliefs of Shinto and Buddhism.
2. List the major festivals in the
Japanese year. Include the date
they are celebrated, as well as a
short description of what happens at
the festival.
3. Construct a mini fact chart about
Kimonos and design your own
Kimono to accompany it.
4. Locate examples of Netsuke and
Ikebana. Use these to create a mini
poster describing the arts in Japan.
5. Define “haiku”. Write your own
haiku poem.
1. Compare two of Japan’s Emperors
and conclude which one was a more
effective ruler.
2. Conduct an investigation into the
Japanese involvement in WWII. Use
your research to create a factual
book.
3. Write a biography about Sadako.
Make a paper crane to accompany
it.
1. Design a questionnaire that you
would ask a Japanese citizen about
their faith in either Buddhism or Shinto.
Research the answers to your
questions.
2. Research the process of a
traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Create either a scrap book or a
diorama to illustrate the tea
ceremony.
3. Investigate the three different
writing systems in Japan. Create a
poster which explains each system as
well as distinguishes between them.
1. Choose one Japanese Emperor
and write a speech about whether
you believe he was good ruler for
Japan.
2. Research Japanese involvement in
World War II. Write a story from the
point of view of a man in the
Japanese army. This story will need to
describe and justify the Japanese
actions in WWII.
1. As tourists need to be respectful in
the country they are visiting, design a
set of rules/standards which they
must follow so that they do not
disrespect the Shinto or Buddhism
faith in their travels.
2. Japanese music is a beautiful way
to embrace the Japanese culture.
Research the three main types of
music and compose a song that
incorporates aspects from each type.
SOCIETY
WEEKS SIX AND SEVEN
1. Research and identify two of
Japan’s most eaten foods. Write a
report on why these foods are so
popular.
2. Compile a list of the customs and
routines of a traditional Japanese
house-hold.
3. Identify and summarise the main
transport systems in Japan.
4. Make a cartoon strip showing the
sequence of events in a sumo
wrestling match.
1. Locate a variety of Japanese
recipes. Use these recipes to create a
Japanese cookbook.
2. Investigate the transport systems in
Japan and write a tourist guide on
the best way to get around in Japan.
3. Research popular sports in Japan.
Write an argument for the sport you
perceive to be the most popular In
Japan. Remember, to support your
points with reasons/evidence.
5. Create a facts chart about martial
arts in Japan.
NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT
WEEKS EIGHT AND NINE
1. Draw and label two types of flora
that are native to Japan.
2. Draw and label two types of fauna
that are native to Japan.
3. Answer the following questions in
full sentences: What is an onsen?
What do Japanese use these for?
What is the name for the special type
of clothing worn here?
4. Discuss the features of a traditional
Japanese garden.
5. Summarise the ‘art of bonsai’.
1. Using labelled diagrams, compare
one native Japanese flora and one
native fauna to that of another
country.
2. Design a puzzle of a famous
landmark. Make sure in the puzzle all
of the major features are clearly
illustrated. Create an information
sheet about the landmark to
accompany the puzzle.
3. Using clay, design a model of a
traditional Japanese garden. Ensure
all major features are included. To
accompany your model, include a
labelled illustration of your design to
explain each feature.
1. Write an editorial piece for a
traveller’s magazine that is aimed at
tourists who may want to live in
Japan. The piece must explain home
life in Japan, outlining customs and
routines in a traditional Japanese
household. Be sure to include your
own opinion throughout the article.
2. Research and invent a new
transport system that accounts for the
needs of Japan. Construct a model
of this transport system. Ensure there is
a report accompanying the model,
explaining how it works and its
benefits.
1. Japan is one of the last countries in
the world to continue whaling. Your
group has been called to as a key
witness for an important court trial to
represent Japan in this case.
Research why Japan still continues
with whaling and build a case to
support them.
2. The tourism board has elected you
to create an advertisement for
Japanese tourism. You have been
asked to compose a song about one
major landmark in Japan. This song
needs to be interesting and
appealing so as to convince tourists
to visit the landmark.