Students read a simple version of the folktale in a manga format and answer 3 questions on the story and themes. Students are introduced to the “tanuki” and learn a Japanese song with 4 animal names and sounds (こぶた、たぬき、きつね、ねこ).
Students learn about the traditional Japanese food, omusubi, by learning how they are made and the popular fillings used. They answer questions in Japanese and read in hiragana the procedure for making them.
Students read the manga of the story of Sarukani gassen. They can then perform the skit or use it as a base for discussion on the theme of revenge. This story is known to all Japanese children; the tale of the battle between the monkey and the crab.
Students read the manga of the story of Kaguyahime. There are tasks to complete and discussion questions. They can also perform the skit or use it as a base for discussion on its themes and the topic of fairy tales.
Students put manga sections back in to their correct order as they read about Erin’s Valentine’s Day disaster. Erin decides to give a boy chocolates then finds out he already has a girlfriend. There is a lot of colloquial language spoken between the characters.