Fukuwarai with Totoro

Liesje Kraai

PROCEDURE:

1. First I do the usual greeting of “Hello, everyone. Good morning/afternoon”. With the older students I will then ask, “How are you?” and wait for the proper response. Usually the other teachers will help them with this and even practice it with them after of my visit.

2. In the previous class, I had taught them the parts of the face, so first I start by reviewing these. In the last class I used the Flashcards I had prepared for the lesson. Most of my Flashcards are hand drawn and then laminated, but I have also had luck finding images on the Internet.

3. For this class, I run through the old vocabulary using a giant Totoro head made out of drawing paper with separate laminated parts to the face. These include his eyes, nose, ears, mouth and whiskers. I save the whiskers for last. I then write “WHISKERS” out on the board and have them repeat after me a few times. I then have the students stand for a fast game of Criss-Cross, pointing to the specific points on my face.

4. Next I continue with the usual phrase of, “Today we are going to learn about ~”. I draw a ‘compass’ on the board and put the directions on the board next to the corresponding arrow on the ‘compass’. I run through the new vocabulary, having the students repeat after me at least three times for each word.

5. Next, to practice the vocabulary, I have the older students play a fast game or two of Criss-Cross. With directions, I will point in a direction, “Left, Right, Down, Up”.

6. After Criss-Cross, I announce that it’s time for a game. I start by taking each of the separate parts to Totoro’s face off the board. Then I ask for a volunteer, which usually means I have to pick one of the more ‘genki’ kids to come up, but not always. I then use the student to demonstrate the game. I find this method works best for me because my Japanese is so lacking. The students almost always get it within the first minute or two and if not, the other teachers do and help to explain.

7. So, I then blindfold the one volunteer and hold up one of the pieces to Totoro’s face. I have the other students yell out the name of the piece so the blindfolded student knows what it is. I then turn them around and encourage the other students to shout out directions (Left, Right, Up, Down) to help the student put the piece in the right spot. I repeat this with one or two other students and then, to make sure that they know the new vocabulary, I blindfold myself and the students help me put Totoro together.

8. The game usually runs till the end of the class. If there is any time left over I do a fast review of the new and old vocabulary that was used that day. I close by pointing at the clock or at my wrist and saying “It’s time for me to go.” I then close the lesson in the usual manner by saying “Thank you! Goodbye!!” and “See you!!!”

HANDOUTS and WORKSHEETS:

Some samples for this lesson can be found here:

http://storage01.pbwiki.com/f/TOTOROface%20parts.jpg

http://storage01.pbwiki.com/f/TOTOROface%20together.jpg