What's Going on in Japan ?

                                           Task:*The students will be able to take notes about goegraphy, people, places,
                                         and art in Japan.
                                      *They will be able to select one topic and research it on  the Internet or
                                         with the homepage links.
                                       *They will be able to site any sources that they use for reseach.
                                       *They will be able to develop a draft of a tourist article for the
                                         newspaper about that topic.
                                       *They will be able to edit the draft and write a final copy of their article.
 

                                          Scenario: You have just been hired by a large daily newspaper as a foreign
                                            correspondent to Japan. In a couple of months, you will be moving to
                                            Japan to report on Japanese culture for American tourists. Before you
                                            go, you will need to acquaint yourself with Japanese geography,
                                            people, places, and art.
 

                                         Process and Resources:  You will need a piece of paper to complete the
                                            following tasks. (You may use links for research and hit the"back"
                                            key to return to the home page. Links to resource pages will open the
                                            page in a new window.)

                            1. Look at the link to Japan's "geography". On your piece of paper make a list
                               of the five geographical sites in Japan and why a tourist would like to see them.

                            2. Open the "people and places" link.  On your peice of paper record five
                                interesting facts that you learned.  Note why these would be appealing for
                                tourists to learn through your article.

                            3.  Look through the "art" link.  List five things that you found intriguing about
                                 Japanese Art. Also,write 5 reasons why a reader would like to know that
                                 information before traveling to Japan.

                            4. Based on your information lists, choose a topic that you would be most
                                interested in writing about.  Write your ideas on your paper.

                            5. Write your introductory column. This is a one page summary of your topic
                                from a Japanese perspective. As you write, be sure to include one topic about
                                Japanese geography, people and places, or art.  How does your topic help to
                                illuminate Japan's culture?

                            6. Publish your column. Share an edited and revised version of your summary
                                with the class. If class time allows, discuss with others in your class what you
                                have learned about Japan. Did anyone else choose the same topic you did? If
                                so, how were your summaries the same or different?
 

                                   Evaluation:  You will be graded by the guidelines in the rubric below.
 
 

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Organization Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings.  Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.  Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed.  The information appears to be disorganized. 8) 
Amount of Information All topics are addressed and all questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each.  All topics are addressed and most questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each.  All topics are addressed, and most questions answered with 1 sentence about each.  One or more topics were not addressed. 
Quality of Information Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.  Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.  Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.  Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic. 
Mechanics No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors  A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.  Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. 
Notes Notes are recorded and organized in an extremely neat and orderly fashion.  Notes are recorded legibly and are somewhat organized.  Notes are recorded.  Notes are recorded only with peer/teacher assistance and reminders. 
First Draft Detailed draft is neatly presented and includes all required information.  Draft includes all required information and is legible.  Draft includes most required information and is legible.  Draft is missing required information and is difficult to read. 

                         Conclusion:
                 Each student will present 3 ideas that they learned about Japan from their
                 research.
 

                        This lesson plan satisfies the requirments of the following DPI standard:
                      B.8.1 Create or produce writing to communicate with different audiences for a
                      variety of purposes:

                      *Write a coherent and complete expository piece, with sufficient detail to fulfill
                      its purpose, sufficient evidence to support its assertions, language appropriate for
                      its intended audience, and organization achieved through clear coordination and
                      subordination of ideas.
 

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