A Samurai’s Tale: Discover the exciting World of Ancient Japan
WCATY Online Program Fall/Winter 2007-2008
Grades 5-6
Instructor: Lynn Sessler
This class, designed for grades 5-6, is an exploration of feudal Japan, including ancient geography,
historical figures, culture, art religion and customs. They will identify factors from the period of feudal
Japan that have influenced modern Japan and the language and culture of its peoples. They will gain an
appreciation for the unique qualities of the ancient as well as modern Japanese culture and its language.
Throughout the course students will read the book, A Samurai’s Tale to identify key themes that surface
throughout the books, such as honor and humility and explain how these themes affect the people of
Japan today as well as during the age of the Samurai in Japan.
Required:
A Samurai’s Tale by Erik Christian Haugaard
Suggested:
Little Sister by Kara Dalkey
The Boy and the Samurai by Erik Christian Haugaard
The Revenge of the Forty-Seven Samurai by Erik Christian Haugaard
The Master Puppeteer by Katherine Paterson
Of Nightingales That Weep by Katherine Paterson
Optional:
Students must
choose one
book from the
suggested list.
1. The Ghost in Tokaido Inn by Dorothy Hoobler
2. Demon in the Teahouse by Dorothy Hoobler
3. In Darkness, Death by Dorothy Hoobler
**Note: these 3 books are a wonderful mystery series and another example of “historical fiction”. It is
suggested that students read these books in order if they are interested in this series.
Prerequisites – To be completed prior to the December 5 start date.
Week 1–Introduction to Feudal period of Japan


Read the preface through Chapter 4. Please do not go beyond chapter 4
Create Literature Journal (follow guidelines from instructor)
1. Selected readings on Japanese history and Geography
2. Introduction through the online community
3. Selected Vocabulary activity
Week 2- Introduction to The Samurai’s Tale & Time line of Life
1.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Read chapters 5-9
Journal questions and vocabulary activities (online discussion)
Time line of life activity
Intro to Japanese proverbs– probe and analyze
Research into Japanese writing system
Face –to-face meeting (#1)
1. Review first 9 chapters—read 10 and 11 together
2. Cultural activities relating to first 11 chapters
**Japanese writing practice (w/brush and ink)
**Virtual tour of the geography of Japan
**Writing a Japanese poem in tanka and haiku styles
3. Comparison of Japanese religions (Shinto and Buddhism)
Week 3–Japanese style
1. Read chapters 12-15
2. Journal questions and vocabulary activities (online discussion)
3. Daily activities “Japanese style” experiment (Packet)
**Making a family crest (mon)
**Experimenting with a “zen way of life”
Week 4–Strategy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Read Chapters 16-19
Journal questions and vocabulary activities (online discussion)
Castles around the world (research) (Packet)
Character chart (online)
Review and comparison of ancient and modern customs (Japan and US (Packet)
Week 5–Samurai Explanations/Way of Life
1. Read Chapters 20-26
2. Journal questions and vocabulary activities (online discussion)
3. Read and write a Japanese Fairy Tale (choose from list–Packet)
Over the holiday break –Ancient Social Customs
**Read chapters 27-31
Week 6-Conclusion
1.
2.
3.
3.
Read Chapters 32-34
Journal questions and vocabulary activities (online discussion)
Write an epilogue (Packet)
Complete culminating project
Face-to-Face Meeting (#2)
1. Hand in all Vocabulary and journal activities
2. Cultural activities relating to chapters 12-34
**Playing Japanese strategy games
**Tea ceremony
**Kimono and Samurai style clothing
**Zen painting and woodblock printing
3. Presentation of culminating project
Specific dates:
Week 1
Week 2
1st F2F
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Winter Break reading assignments
Week 6
2nd F2F