Community Project

These are the resources you need to complete the Community Project. Please use them effectively.

Listen to the VoiceThread presentation on the details of the Community Project.

You may also view the presentation on a larger screen directly from VoiceThread here:

http://hidoe.ed.voicethread.com/share/789629/

Watch the video for hints on how to write your Japanese essay.

How and why does the community continue to preserve traditions, maintain and participate in cultural events, and pass on values to the next generation?

The goal of this project is to answer just that. You will participate in Japanese community events, volunteer for service projects and get involved with the Japanese community and businesses as a part of this project. Complete a note/reflection sheet and collect evidence of your participation, learning and understanding of the cultural products, practices and perspectives in addition to how the cultures have affected each other. Compile your learning and experiences into a final presentation to showcase meeting the benchmarks. Minimum of 1 event outside of school and 1 class/school event per semester is required to meet the criteria so that you can use the experience and understanding in your presentation.

Target Benchmarks:

2.4.1: Describe the impact of own culture and target culture on each other.
2.4.2: Use appropriate language and gestures tot interact in a wide range of social contexts in Japanese.
2.3.2: Write about a familiar event, experience or topic in Japanese.
2.3.1: Use oral language to present a narrative, descriptive or factual report relating to personal or familiar experiences and events in Japanese.

Parameters:

All events must be approved by the instructor or appear on the provided list of events.
All writing must be done by you, but the Japanese may be typed or hand written on げんこうようし paper.
Select your presentation mode ahead of time to be sure to collect and compile the evidence appropriately.
Include as much evidence as possible to highlight your participation and learning.
Follow the timeline and meet the deadlines.

Procedures:

Check the dates, times, locations of approved events often as updates are made frequently.
- **do not wait until 2nd and 4th quarter to attend events as there may not be anything happening at that time of the year.
Attend the events you select.
- Participate in the activities.
- Gather information using a method that will match your final presentation mode.
- All events need to be accompanied by your own research or interviews with organizers.
Select a presentation mode-see the suggestions below
Complete your presentation of the event as soon as you do it.
Tell us about the event you atteded, participated in:
- Include the pictures or videos with captions or descriptions of each in Japanese as much as possible.
  - Describe what it is, who is in it, what you are doing, etc.
- Discuss or include short narratives, in English and Japanese when possible.
  - Explain the significance of the content, event, portion or section
  - Describe your understanding, learning, enlightenment
  - Do not just read the English or Japanese writing on the page
- Complete your essay or speech in Japanese-one for each event you attend. (this includes the "contest" type events)
  - Show off the grammar and vocabulary you learned so far.
  - Do not try to translate your English essay.
  - Organize it so it is easy to follow.
  - Use the げんこうようし writing paper to write out your essay.
  - Include the essay in your final presentation, even if you are reading your essay out loud.
- Write your English essay: based on focus question.
  - Pick 2 related topics from the list provided to discuss in your essay
  - Give your understanding and explanation in detail.
  - Use examples from the cultural events and activities that you participated in to show evidence of your understanding, position or description.
At the end of each quarter, complete the reflections and progress check forms.
Compile the completed project at the end of each semester

Final Presentation must include:

Names, dates, times, location, themes, etc. of each event
Your specific attendance dates, times, duration of your participation
Evidence of your involvement with the event: signed participation log, photos, realia, PPP sheet, etc. with captions (Japanese and English) of what it is and it’s significance
Japanese summary of each event, your participation, thoughts, feelings, etc.
Discussion of your learning in terms of the focus question. Include your personal perspective, understandings and significance to your traditions and beliefs. This should be written as an English essay.
Reflections and progress checks throughout the semester.

Presentation Mode Suggestions & Hints:

Booklet, Poster, Album, Newspaper, Scrapbook, Formal bound report with pictures (any written form):
- Be sure to present the actual flyers, pamphlets, things you made, etc.(these are called "realia") that show what the event was about and how you participated in the activities.
- Describe in detail or have pictures of your application of the appropriate body language, set phrases and other communication in Japanese (this is very difficult to do with this mode of presentation, but try your best-you can describe or provide a transcript of what transpired).
Video, Voicethread (Powerpoint/Keynote), Glog, Blog (?), Webpage (any electronic form):
- Include pictures/video of your flyers, pamphlets, things you made, etc. You can take pictures or video of them or bring them in if you need a scanner and scan them in during non-class periods. Be sure to bring a flash/USB or disk to save your images.
- Include pictures or video of you application of the appropriate body language and set phrases in Japanese. (this is the best mode for this, but you need have access to a video camera at the events you attend and ask a friend/family member to take the video for you).

**In any mode, all inclusions must contian captions to show it's significance and to identify where, when and what it is. Write (or orally describe in the video format) as much of the caption in Japanese as you can.

Each entry will be assessed using the corresponding rubrics to measure the achievement of the content based on the benchmarks selected for this project. Achievements measured using this rubric are emphasized in the final “grade” for the project.

English Essay Guide

You will write an essay, in English, to meet the 2.4.1 benchmark. This section gives you the guidelines for the essay.

Use your experiences at the events, your research, new understandings and evidence as examples, key points and explanations of your point-of-view or stance. Think of this as an "argumentative" essay.

Essential Questions: (pick at least 2 to address in your essay-different ones each semester)

What is culture and is it important?
- Describe your understanding of culture.
- Identify the significance of Products, Practices and Perspectives.
- Analyze how this event is culturally significant to the Japanese or other groups of people.
What do the products/items associated with a particular event/tradition/practice reflect of the community, geography, and history?
- Identify products and practices associated with the events you attended or particiapted in.
- Explain the historical, geographical, political, etc. impact.
- Discuss changes and other influences on the event, tradition or practice.
How do cultural practices reflect the values and common understandings of a community?
- Discuss related perspectives, values and ideals perpetuated in the event or celebration.
What role does perpetuation of cultural practices have in maintaining cultural identity and traditions?
- Identify and qualify influences cultures have had on each other related to the target event.
- Identify and qualify comparisons to other cultural practices.
- Identify and analyze patterns and behaviors related to the target event.
How does Hawaii celebrate and preserve cultures from other parts of the world?
- Who celebrates the events?
- How does it differ from the original products, practices and perspectives?
- Why is it important to maintain cultural identities?
What have you learned about your own culture?
- Analyze and describe the influences you encountered.
- Make connections to your own life, culture, point of view.

*Use your experiences, learning, products, etc. as evidence to validate your position.

Japanese Essay Guide

You will write or orate an essay, in Japanese, to meet the 2.3.1/2.3.2 benchmark for each event you attend. This section gives you the guidelines for the essay. Be sure to watch ALL 3 presentations for suggestions on how to set up your project, organize and write your Japanese essays, and what to include in your English essay.

Progress Check #1