Teaching Resources

Understand and Experience Radio Taiso - The first lesson introduces the Radio Taiso routine and allows students to experience it for themselves.

Radio Taiso is a 3 minute exercise routine that has been practised for nearly 100 years in Japan. Fun for children and adults alike, Radio Taiso is commonly used for group warm-ups in Japan.

In this lesson, students will learn about the customs and activities associated with O Hanami and compose haiku poems using their own thoughts about spring and nature.

Manga (comics or graphic novels) are a Japanese form of visual storytelling. These lessons give students an introduction to the history and cultural significance of Manga in Japan and as an art form.

In the first lesson, use the teachers' notes to provide students with key information about Manga. Students will then compare Japanese Manga style with the Western comic book style.

In the second lesson, students learn about diversity within Manga by watching the videos of Japanese artists talking about their work.

On Children’s Day in Japan (May 5), many school children will make origami kabuto helmets. Follow this video to make a mini version.

Follow this video to make your own teru teru bozu dolls. They are thought to work as a charm to stop the rain and bring sunshine.

Follow this video to make a paper lantern. Traditionally people light chouchin lanterns on the first day of Obon festival to invite the spirits of ancestors back to their family home.

In the summer in Japan, you will also see many people carrying fans called uchiwa. Follow this video to make a mini origami version.