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
