Teaching Resources

This lesson introduces subtraction on the soroban. Students will learn how to subtract one and two-digit numbers, using the soroban as a calculation tool.

Lesson 3 starts with a greater or less than activity to revise numbers on the soroban, before introducing addition. Using the soroban as a calculation tool students will add one and two-digit numbers.

In this lesson, students apply what they learnt in the previous lessons to larger numbers. By the end of the lesson they will know how to read numbers up to 99 on the soroban. 

In the first lesson, students will be introduced to the Japanese abacus and learn how it works. 

Soroban, the Japanese abacus, provides a visual and tangible tool which allows students to see and manipulate a physical representation of abstract numbers.

Obon is one of the most important annual festivals in Japan and takes place in the summer. It is based on the Buddhist belief that the spirits of ancestors return to their family home at this time of year.

A list of external resources about the atomic bombings to help educators find information and content to teach young people about the bombings and their impact.

The Sports Day combines all the elements of the individual lessons, allowing students to experience an authentic Japanese undokai (Sports Day). Use the sample timetable including in the lesson plan as a guide to planning your own event. 

Students are introduced to two Japanese characters which make up the word kaizen, meaning ‘to improve’ in Japanese. Students will then complete elements of an obstacle course and reflect on their own performance and identify areas where they can make small tangible improvements. 

Students look at the importance of working with others and how effective teamwork can improve performance. The students will take part in several physical activities which test and strengthen their ability to work well in teams.