From Godzilla to the Ring: An Overview of Japanese Film
Lesson 04: Mothra, Akira, and the Seven Samurai: An Overview of Japanese Film
Submitted by Mike Smart
Objectives:
Content:
Students will...
- display an understanding of some of the characteristics of the different genres of Japanese film.
Cultural:
Students will...
- identify some Japanese movies they would like to watch.
Language: Content Obligatory
Students will...
- display an understanding of vocabulary and basic structures by answering a series of questions on a reading about Japanese movie genres.
Language: Content Compatible
Students will...
- accurately use aizuchi (support language) in reacting to student answers.
Learning Strategies / Social and Skills Development:
Students will...
- work cooperatively in groups. Each member will carry out his/her role as assigned.
Time Frame:
One 50-minute class
Materials Needed:
- Japanese Film Genres Reading (see Attachments)
- Vocabulary Sheets (see Attachments)
- Japanese Film Genre Questions (see Attachments)
Description of Assessment (Performance Project):
Pre-task:
The teacher asks the class what types of Japanese movies they have seen, and establishes the idea that there are some unique types of films that originate in Japan. The teacher then explains that today the class will read an article on the different types of Japanese films, and learn some of the characteristics and history of each genre. The teacher passes out a Japanese Film Reading, Question sheet, and Vocabulary Sheet to each student, and goes over it briefly with the class to clear up any confusion.During-task:
The teacher gives the students approximately 30 minutes to work by themselves at reading the article and answering the questions.After the time is up, the teacher pairs the students and asks them to compare answers. Once this is finished, the class compares answers as a whole.
Post-task:
Once the main task is complete, the teacher can turn the reading discussion into a discussion about how the students are doing with regards to choosing and viewing a Japanese movie. What type of movie have they chosen or will they choose? Did the reading lead them towards watching a particular type of Japanese movie.
Assessment:
The teacher can informally assess student performance while monitoring the reading activity. Also, the instructor can collect the answer sheets at the end of the lesson for another informal assessment of student performance.
References and Resources:
Attachments:
NOTE: some attachments are in PDF form (get Acrobat Reader)L4 Japanese Film Genres Reading
L4 Reading Vocabulary Sheets
L4 Japanese Film Genre Questions
L4 Japanese Film Genres Reading English Translation