Explore Japan 2018 - Edmonton Japanese Community Association
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Explore Japan 2018
A Cultural and Educational Experience for
Grade 10 High School Students in the greater Edmonton,
Red Deer and Calgary areas
March 10, 2018
Final Report
Explore Japan 2018 Steering Committee
Edmonton Japanese Community Association
Consulate General of Japan in Calgary
Edmonton Public Schools
Alberta Education
Alberta Japanese Teachers Association
April 5, 2018
Table of Content
1. Program Objective - What is the “Explore Japan”? p. 3
2. Background p. 3
3. Steering Committee p. 4
4. Project Organization Structure p. 5
5. Date/Time p. 5
6. Attending Representatives from Supporting Organizations p. 6
7. News Release to Media p. 6
8. Student Registration and FOIP Form p. 6
9. Registered Schools, Students, Teachers and Chaperones p. 6
10. Program Details p. 6
11. Funding Sources and Expenditures p. 9
12. Providers of Equipment and Other Supplies p. 9
13. Facility Information p. 10
14. Students’ Handbook p. 11
15. Workshop Timetable p. 11
16. Project Timeline p. 11
17. Summary of Feedback from Students and Teachers p. 13
18. Photos p. 16
19. Documents / Reports p. 19
2
1. Program Objective - What is the “Explore Japan”?
The program provides an opportunity for Grade 10 students in the Capital Region, Red Deer and
Calgary to explore Japanese culture first hand. Through a variety of activities facilitated by
Japanese community members, the program will help young learners enhance their
understanding of Japanese culture and promote friendship between Japan and Canada. High
school Japanese programs will greatly benefit by participating in the event.
2. Background
Edmonton Japanese Community Association (EJCA) has been promoting Japanese culture and
language in the Edmonton area. Since 2002, it has been providing the “Japan Today” program to
junior high schools as a Grade 8 Social module supplement. In May 2010, EJCA Culture
Programs Committee received an inquiry from the Alberta Japanese Teachers Association (AJTA)
if cultural presentation to Grade 10 students who would start studying Japanese Language and
Culture in September could be organized by EJCA.
The first “Explore Japan” was held on October 26, 2010, with 185 students from 5 high schools
attended. The feedback from students and teachers indicated that the Explore Japan was a
valuable program for students learning Japanese language at high school.
Between 2011 and 2016, Explore Japan was held annually in the early November as a two-day
event and offered a variety of cultural activities to many students as indicated below.
Dates High schools attended Students attended
Explore Japan 2010 October 26, 2010 5 high schools 185
Explore Japan 2011 November 1 & 2, 2011 9 high schools 300
Explore Japan 2012 November 6 & 7 8 high schools 256
Explore Japan 2013 November 5 & 6 9 high schools 261
Explore Japan 2014 November 4 & 5 7 high schools 282
Explore Japan 2015 November 3 & 4 5 high schools 209
Explore Japan 2016 November 1 & 2 7 high schools 292
Explore Japan 2017 March 10, 2018 7 high schools 177
(held on Saturday in
the second semester:
now called Explore
Japan 2018)
3
Explore Japan 2018 was held in a new format in which teachers, students and other participants
played key roles throughout its planning and implementation stages. The event was held only on
one day in March (second semester) during a weekend at Harry Ainlay High School instead of
the previous venue, Woodcroft School (or iisle: Institute for Innovation in Second Language
Education, Edmonton Public Schools) on 2 weekdays in the first semester. The reasons for the
changes were as follows:
funding decrease
possible steering committee member changes
the difficulty in finding instructors, assistants and volunteers for 2 days on weekdays
financial burden on each school on weekday due to the need of substitute teachers
teachers need to plan substitute lessons on weekdays
the new site allows the event to serve foods during the event other than a Bento lunch
the new site allows a commercial vendor with popular Japanese goods
Since the event has become a one-day event on Saturday, fewer number of Gr. 10 students registered
in the event. However, with more active involvement of participating teachers and students as well as
many volunteer students from Harry Ainlay High School, the steering committee believes that, overall,
the event was a success. The student volunteers created many MATSURI booths with Japanese food
and games, and the retail shop called MINISO in south Edmonton held a booth with Japanese goods
throughout the event. As a result, the Explore Japan created a revitalized atmosphere.
3. Steering Committee
Daniel Ito (Co-Chair) Teacher, Alberta Japanese Teachers Association (AJTA) / Harry Ainlay
High School
Sanae Ohki (Co-Chair) President, Edmonton Japanese Community Association
Yoshifumi Murakami Japanese Language Advisor, Alberta Education / Japan Foundation
Mai Tomori Vice-Consul, Consulate General of Japan in Calgary
Angela Hernandez Language Consultant, Edmonton Public Schools
Mieko Fedrau Retired Teacher, AJTA / Victoria Nikkei Cultural Association
Amy Kikuchi-Klatt Teacher, AJTA/ Bishop Carroll High School
Emma Crossley Teacher, AJTA / Jasper Place High School
Miriam Irons Teacher, AJTA / Lindsay Thurber High School
Erika Oshiki Teacher, AJTA / Memorial High School
4
Laura Allan Teacher, AJTA / Paul Kane High School
Corbin Musselman Teacher, AJTA / Spruce Grove High School
4. Project Organization Structure
Note: Yujin Kang from the host high school student group later resigned.
Supporting Organizations
1. Consulate General of Japan in Calgary
2. Edmonton Japanese Community Association (EJCA)
3. Alberta Education
4. Edmonton Public Schools
5. Alberta Japanese Teachers Association (AJTA)
6. Japan Foundation Toronto
5. Date/Time
Saturday, March 10, 10:00 – 16:15
6. Attending Representatives from Supporting Organizations
5
The Consul-General Kunihiko Tanabe and Mrs. Tanabe, and the Consul Kohei Sakamoto from
Consulate General of Japan in Calgary
Ms. Patti Christensen, Supervisor, Curriculum & Resource Support, Edmonton Public Schools
Dr. Olenka Bilash, Faculty of Secondary Education, the University of Alberta
Mr. Yanick Jean-Proulx, Assistant Principal, Harry Ainlay High School
7. News Release to Media
Since the new format is still at the trial stage, the committee decided not to invite any media this
time.
8. Student Registration and FOIP Forms
Student registrations were conducted on line in mid-February and closed in the early-March.
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) form was sent to each school in the
early March. Students who did not approve the use of their pictures in public were identified by
wearing Japanese Happi coats during the event.
9. Registered Schools, Students, Teachers and Chaperones
Teachers/
School City students chaperones
Harry Ainlay High School Edmonton 43 4
Spruce Grove Composite High School Spruce Grove 1 1
Jasper Place High School Edmonton 26 2
Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School Red Deer 36 4
Memorial High School Stony Plain 19 1
Paul Kane Composite High School St. Albert 31 2
Bishop Carroll High School Calgary 19 2
Total 177 16
10. Program Details
A) In the homeroom: 9:45-9:55
When students arrived at the facility around 9:45, they were directed to a homeroom where
they could leave jackets, boots and large bags. They also had lunch in the room.
B) Opening ceremony: 10:00-10:30
i: Welcome speech by Consul General Kunihiko Tanabe
ii: Welcome speech by Ms. Patti Christensen
iii: Kita-no-Taiko’s Performance
iv: Guest Speech by Miss Danielle Roy, a U of A student (Harry Ainlay graduate)
6
“My experience of the Alberta-Hokkaido High School Student Exchange Program”
C) Workshop sessions: 10:35-14:45
i: Tea ceremony (40 minutes, Room 171)
Instructor: Tamara Sutherland and
Assistants: Yoriko Nagata.
The room was prepared in the tearoom settings with Tatami mats. After a tea ceremony
was demonstrated by Mayuka, all students made pairs with classmates and enjoyed
pastries, and then made tea for each other.
ii: Calligraphy 1 (40 minutes, Room 333) and 2 (40 minutes, Room 335)
Instructors:
Assistants:
Because calligraphy activities required extra assistance and a large space, a group
was divided in 2 smaller groups and each group used a separate room. After the
instructors explained the fundamentals of Japanese calligraphy and tools, students
quietly practiced a few kanji characters using samples and made one good copy. When
there was enough time, students made bookmarks with their own names written in
Japanese. All their works were dried and packaged for taking home.
Iii: Kimono (40 minutes, Library)
Kimono Instructor: Emiko Kinoshita and Akiko Ogata
Kimono Assistants: Atsuko Bartsch
Purikura Assistants from the Lindsey Thurber High School
Looking at slides and sample Kimonos, students were introduced to the traditional
Japanese garments and how to wear Yukata. After the introduction, each student wore
a Yukata and took individual and groups photos. A Purikura station was set up for group
photos this year, which was a very popular addition to the session.
iv: Taiko (40 minutes, Large Gym)
Taiko Instructors: Omar Amer, Carley Okumura, Yukiko Isaka, Jody Crilly
and Emilie Chartrand
The instructors first introduced the Taiko and basic beats, and then, demonstrated key
techniques. All students took turns drumming the Taiko. Since each group was made
7
smaller this year than the previous years, students had more turns and enjoyed playing
the Japanese traditional instrument.
V: Karate (40 minutes, North Gym)
Karate Instructor:
Karate Assistants: Michaela Rafferty
At the Karate session, the instructor guided students into the “Karate world.” The
important Japanese values and behavior, i.e. politeness, concentration, and respect for
others were introduced as students enjoyed practicing basic Karate movement.
D) Lunch: 12:00-12:35
Students had the option of ordering a Japanese bento box for $13.00 (regular, vegetarian or
gluten free) from the Mikado Restaurant or bringing their own lunch. Many students enjoyed
the Bento lunch.
E) Festival: 14:45-16:15
Student and teachers from each participating school initiated a booth(s) and they were run
simultaneously at various locations. The following is the list of the booths and the schools
that were in charge of them.
i） Purikura — Lindsay Thurber Composite High School (library)
ii） Chopstick race — Memorial High School（library）
iii） Origami — Jasper Place High School（library）
iv) Yo-Yo balloon fishing* — Paul Kane High School（cafeteria）
v） Goldfish scooping* — Bishop Carroll High School（cafeteria）
vi） Manga drawing — Harry Ainlay High School (Room 301)
vii） Giant Jenga — Harry Ainlay High School（cafeteria）
viii）Cosplay contest — Harry Ainlay High School（library）
ix） Karaoke — Harry Ainlay High School（Room 307）
x） Festival Café** — Harry Ainlay High School（cafeteria）
*Participants paid $1.00 to play Yo-Yo balloon fishing and Goldfish scooping in order to
redeem the costs of the activities.
**Food and drink items were sold for $4.50(pancake), $4.00(Onigiri Curry) and
$2.50(Calpico drink) to pay for the ingredient costs.
11. Funding Sources and Expenditures
8
Grants Consulate-General $ 2500.00
Alberta Education $ 750.00
Participating schools $ 240.00
Sub total $ 3,490.00
Honorarium for instructors and
Expenditures $ 2,550.00
assistants
Teaching materials and some food $ 743.51
Transporting materials $ 20.00
Sub total $ 3,313.51
Balance $ 176.49*
*Surplus carried forward for the next year: new tea whisks are to be purchased.
12. Providers of Equipment and Other Supplies (No charge was made to the project.)
EJCA:
Tea ceremony equipment, furniture and tatami mats, calligraphy equipment, calligraphy
samples, 36 Kimono sets (Yukata, footwear, sash, belts, and bins), mirrors, cherry
blossom trees, a wedding gown and Kimono, Kimono display stands and Happi coats.
Transportation of the above equipment between the EJCA Centre and Harry Ainlay High
School
Harry Ainlay High School:
Facility, furniture, PC and projectors
Technology assistance
Security of facility during the event
Photo copying paper as practice paper at the Calligraphy sessions
Alberta Education:
Hardcopies of the student handbooks for special guests
Gifts and gift bags for students, teachers, session instructors, assistants and student
volunteers
Japan Foundation
Gifts and information flyers for students, teachers, session instructors, assistants and
student volunteers
Consulate General of Japan, Calgary
Anime maps of Japan for all students
Post-it pads for all students
9
13. Facility Information
Harry Ainlay High School is located at 4350–111 Street NW, Edmonton. The following diagram
shows rooms used for the event.
Explore Japan Events Location
Opening Ceremony Main Gymnasium
Taiko Main Gymnasium
Karate North Gymnasium
Tea Ceremony Room 171
Calligraphy 1 Room 333
Calligraphy 2 Room 335
Kimono and Purikura Library
Festival Events Location Home Room & Lunch Room Location
Anime Drawing Room 301 Bishop Carroll Room 329
Karaoke Room 307 Lindsay Thurber Room 327
Chopstick Race Library Memorial & Spruce Grove Room 429
Purikura Library Jasper Place Room 320
Cosplay Contest Library Paul Kane Room 424
Festival Café Cafeteria Harry Ainlay Room 402 & 421
Goldfish Scooping Cafeteria
Yo-yo Balloon Fishing Cafeteria
Giant Jenga Cafeteria
1014. Students’ Handbook
A students’ handbook was prepared in advance with the following contents. Softcopies were
distributed to all teachers so that it was used at the Japanese language classes for preparation in
attending the event.
Introduction of key Japanese values such as attentiveness, quietness, cleanliness/tidiness,
and harmony
Event Program
Event Map
Japanese language list to be used by instructors and students
Background information of all sessions and MATSURI activities
15. Workshop Timetable
Homeroom 9:45 - 9:55 Room 320 Room 421 Room 327 Room 424 Room 329 Room 402 Room 429 Room 421
Opening session 10:00 - 10:30 Large Gym all together
Calligraphy Calligraphy
Session 1 10:35 - 11 :15 Karate North Gym Taiko Large Gym Tea Ceremony Room 171
Room 333, 335 Room 335 Kimono Library
Calligraphy Calligraphy
Session 2 11:20 - 12:00 Kimono Library Karate North Gym Taiko Large Gym Tea Ceremony Room 171
Room 333 Room 335
Lunch 12:00 - 12:30 Room 320 Room 421 Room 327 Room 424 Room 329 Room 402 Room 429 Room 421
Tea Ceremony Calligraphy Room Calligraphy
Session 3 12:35 - 13:15 Karate North Gym Taiko Large Gym Kimono Library
Room 171 333 Room 335
Tea Ceremony Calligraphy Room
Session 4 13:20 - 14:00 Taiko Large Gym Kimono Library Karate North Gym
Room 171 333, 335
Calligraphy Room Kimono
Session 5 14:05 - 14:45 Tea Ceremony Room 171 Karate North Gym Taiko Large Gym
333, 335 Library
Festival 14:45 - 16:15 Various rooms
16. Project timeline
The steering committee had 3 planning meetings on May 2, 2017, October 24, 2017 and January
24, 2018 (some members attended with Skype) prior to the event and a debriefing on March 20,
2018. Majority of the members participated in the debriefing with Zoom.
Following schedule shows Explore Japan 2018 activities, “start” and “end” dates, and responsible
person of each action item.
Action Task Start date End date
person
All Yoshi: Send registration form to teachers Anytime January 8, 2018
teachers Teachers: Register students to the program January 2018 February 2, 2018
and Yoshi Teachers: Finalize students’ registration including February 5, 2018 February 28, 2018
approval forms and bento registrations
Teachers: Confirm # of registered students to February 2, 2018 February 28, 2018
11Action Task Start date End date
person
Yoshi
Yoshi: Compile an attendance chart, contact February 2, 2018 March 2, 2018
Mikado with the final # of bento boxes
Teachers: Make name tags for all students with February 2, 2018 March 9, 2018
student names in Japanese – this is required for a
Calligraphy session
Yoshi: Design online feedback* (teachers, March 5, 2018 March 8, 2018
students and presenters)
Teachers: Coordinate feedback by students and March 10, 2018 March 16, 2018
teachers
Yoshi: Table feedbacks March 19, 2018 March 23, 2018
Mieko Review the student’s handbook 2016 and compile Anytime February 26, 2018
a student’s handbook 2018.
Send softcopies to the teachers February 26, 2018 February 26, 2018
Compile an Explore Japan report in Japanese March 11, 2018 March 31, 2018
Compile an event report in English March 11, 2018 March 31, 2018
Teachers Discuss the student’s handbook with students February 26, 2018 March 9, 2018
Mai Confirm the attendance of Consul-General Tanabe Anytime Final meeting date
(January 24)
Daniel Reserve 5 classrooms, 2 gyms and cafeteria for Anytime Final meeting date
the event (January 24)
Invite guests: Alberta Education, Superintendents Anytime Final meeting date
and others if any. (January 24)
Make 5 groups by schools and schedule groups for February 2, 2018 February 26, 2018
5 sessions
Reserve volunteers for setting rooms up for February 2, 2018 March 2, 2018
Calligraphy, tea ceremony and Kimono
Sanae Confirm with EJCA resource people and Gigi for October 25, 2017 November 18, 2017
Manga. Confirm equipment usage with EJCA
Purchase items for Yo-yo and Kingyo-tsuri Anytime December 10, 2017
Design classroom floor plans for Calligraphy, Tea Anytime February 26, 2018
Ceremony and Kimono sessions
Manage finance of the Explore Japan October 25, 2017 March 31, 2018
Make a budget estimation for the next meeting Anytime Final meeting date
(January 24)
12Action Task Start date End date
person
Prepare EJCA materials, and schedule March 9, 2018 March 9, 2018
transportation of equipment between EJCA and 3:30 pm 5:00 pm
Harry Ainlay. Coordinate the set ups of class
rooms.
Coordinating the tear down of classrooms and March 10, 2018 March 11, 2018
returning all materials to EJCA after the 5:00 pm
workshops
17. Summary of Feedback from Students and Teachers
The post event survey was conducted with the teachers, students, session presenters and session
assistants.
Students
Out of 177 students attended, 109 students (62%) from 7 schools responded by March 21.
Overall, how did you find the event?
Evaluation Responses %
Excellent 77 71
100 %
Good 32 29
Fair 0 0
Grand Total 109
Did the event make you understand more about Japan?
Evaluation Responses %
Excellent 42 39
90 %
Good 56 51
Fair 9 8
N/A 2 2
Poor 0 0
Grand Total 109
Did the event make you interested in visiting Japan or studying in Japan?
13Evaluation Responses %
Excellent 64 59.3
92.6 %
Good 36 33.3
Fair 7 6.4
N/A 1 1
Poor 0 0
Grand Total 108
Would you recommend this program to your friends?
Evaluation Responses %
Yes 108 99
No 1 1
Grand Total 109
Which program and/or activity did you enjoy most?
Program Count
Calligraphy 13 (2)
Chopstick 1
Everything 3
Kimono 24 (1)
Taiko 33 (2)
Tea 10 (1)
Festival 6 (1)
Workshops 2 (1)
Karate 11 (2)
Kingyo 1
Purikura [1]
Part after main festival 1
Food 1
Total 106
Note: Numbers in brackets are 'honorable mentions',
i.e. second or third activity stated after the first
(assumed favorite) program
Teachers
146 teachers responded to the survey.
Please comment on the overall programming?
Went well
Overall the programming was great because of the wide variety.
It was excellent, well-organized, and an engaging day. Students loved it!
Overall program was excellent! Students enjoyed the workshops and the matsuri
as well.
Thought it was really well done!
Really great!!
Was the event meaningful for your Japanese program?
Evaluation Responses %
Excellent (5) 5 83
Good (4) 0 0
Fair (3) 1* 17
N/A (2) 0 0
Poor (1) 0 0
Grand Total 6
Please elaborate on your evaluation above.
Got kids to love Japanese culture
*In the past I would have rated it as 5 but this year, being on a Saturday, not all my
students were able to participate as quite a few have jobs or other commitments.
Students get really pumped up about Japanese culture while having a blast.
Students enjoyed the whole day. Lots of opportunities to try things that they would
usually not be able to try (yukata, taiko, tea ceremony)
I thought the cultural events were a great way for students to buy in!
Students said it motivated them to study!
1518. Photos
A ) Opening ceremony
）
participating students welcome message welcome message
Consul General Tanabe Ms. Christensen
performance by KITA-NO-TAIKO guest Speech
Miss Roy
B) Workshops
Taiko Drumming
Kimono
16Calligraphy
Tea Ceremony
Karate
C) Festival
Students and Teachers preparing for their booths
17Fishing Yo-Yo balloons Chopstick race
Cosplay
Making Calpico Drinks
Pancake
Onigiri Curry
1819. Documents/Reports
The following documents are available upon a request to Sanae Ohki, sanaeohki@shaw.ca,
Some viewing restrictions may apply.
Students’ handbook
Feedback responses
Report of the event to the Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary, written in Japanese,
dated March 26, 2018
19You can also read
