Bring the World to Your Community; Bring Your Community to the World Lynn Sessler & Chie Kakigi Japanese Teacher Menasha Joint School District

Menasha Joint School District’s World 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.Fashion 3.Fun Games Typical community experiences Elementary to High School experiences

Integrate into Curriculum and Involve the Community Curriculum Community

Curriculum Integration Main 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 Communities cont. 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