Bring the World to Your Community;

Bring Your Community to the World

Lynn Sessler & Chie KakigiJapanese Teacher

Menasha Joint School District

Menasha Joint School District’sWorld Language Program

• K-12 (German, Spanish, Japanese)• History• Why Japanese?– Challenge of teaching less commonly

taught languages“A Rolling Stone Gather No Moss”

Language Classes vs.

“A Program”

• Audience Quiz– Do you….?

Ultimate Goal

World Language Standard 5.2

Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

**Cultural Intelligence**

Standard 5.2 Samples

• Grade 4 – Student listen to music, sing songs, or play musical instruments from

the target culture.• Grade 8 – Students attend or view via

media cultural events and social activities.• Grade 12 – Students establish and/or

maintain interpersonal relations with speakers of the language.

Before, during and after….Our Steps…….

• Typical “cultural” events/surface culture (3 Fs) 1. Food

2. Fashion3. Fun Games

•Typical community experiences

•Elementary to High School experiences

Integrate into Curriculum and Involve the Community

Curriculum

Community

Curriculum IntegrationMain focus as a “School Program”

• Elementary

• Secondary

• K-12 – Exchange programs– Bring cultural groups into our schools

Tsunagaaru (Social Networking Site)

One example: Japanese Club

• Dual Purpose: high school student opportunity to use what they have learned outside of classroom/Elementary enrichment• Planning and Teacher role• Japanese Club Blog• Service Learning

Japanese Club HS Website

Japanese Club Blog

Connection to Different “Communities”

• Formal Relationships– Sister School– Sister City– The Japan Forum

• Advocacy Piece– Getting the word out– Concrete displays

Advocating…….

Educating……

Connection to Different Communitiescont.

• Local vs. Extended Community– Day trips

• Elementary (In School Trip/tea house, Japanese garden/outdoor classroom)

• Middle School (Concordia Language Villages)• High School (Japanese Market and Garden in IL)

– Internet– NEW Japanese network

• Outreach– Public library– PAC– Rotary

”NEW” Project

Doing…………!• Organize a calendar of “typical” events October Sister City Exchange (MS)

January/ February

•Concordia Language Village•Elementary School Event

March Doll Festival at city library

Sister School Exchange(HS)

April Field Trip to IL (HS)

May •JNHS Induction Ceremony•Elementary School Children’s Day

What You Can Do

• Have your contact information ready– Business card– Pamphlet– Website

• Find local place to host an annual “Event”– Library, Turn off TV week• Display• Hands-on learning• Service project

• Integrate with other subject areas

What You Can Do

• Connect with the lower levels– Find an elementary staff member to connect with– Create a “program” for the elementary/middle

school experience– Involve the MS/HS students– Find a small funding source to get started

(PTO, local grants, etc)– Make it happen!

七転八起