Students will be given a printed copy of the example with instructions on it below. Each table should have a watercolor palette with the appropriate mixing palette, along with a water cup, paper towels, and an assortment of paint brushes. Students will also be given the choice of using salt to create the given texture effect. You should give visual, live instructions for the watercolor techniques (wet on wet, and wet on dry) and have the kids follow along with you. Now they will start their cherry blossom painting. Walk around to ensure everybody is working. If a student gets far behind, they will have instructions at each table to help them. Once they finish their paintings, let them dry. You should be able to hang them up in the classroom within a few hours.

Student Instructions:

Simplified version of the student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Z6-CdofADZtrRCxF43twSFVyGxMVBrLZOmGv5FW9M8/edit

The teacher will draw out on a big piece of paper a map of Japan. They will then color different parts of the map with different shades of pink. The lighter the shade, the quicker cherry blossom blooms. Starting in the south going up to north. Each different shade of pink will be given a number, and in that number will be the different cities and towns. Like with dramatic play, students will be wearing their Kimonos that they had on during that activity. The teacher will say a number and they will have to run to that number, and if the teacher calls on you/your group you'll have to say one city/town that is inside that specific number. If they get it right then they continue on and keep going, if they get it wrong they will sit out until the round is over or everyone else except one person is remaining; which counts as the persons win.

Student Instructions:

Simplified version of student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18AtZJ4FntbmmXHmilyINlntYWdC9v4WOrTC8An8RmAo/edit

The teacher will talk to the students about what they should do and how they should wear a kimono. They will be given an example of how to put a Kimono on and then they will pair up and see if they can help put one on their partner. This will test to see how well they remember things, as well as how well they work together with people in their class. Whether it's their friends or not. After one pair completes it then they will switch. The person wearing it becomes the person trying to put it on their partner. The first 5 pairs to complete it will each get a piece of candy. If there are any students who seem to be struggling or are having a hard time on what they should do, the teacher may walk around and give hints on what they should do. If need be the teacher can give another demonstration on how to put on a Kimono.

Student Instructions:

Simplified student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x-v6npsJBIKda4mgDL1xR4Zz17FKUsdRAdlF86XKbDY/edit

Print out a bunch of small cherry blossom flowers (さくら). Laminate them, if possible. Each table should be given about 20 each in a small bag. Write on the whiteboard simple math questions (ex. 5+7). The students are expected to put that amount of cherry blossoms on the table and add them by counting. Give about 15 questions to help with their math skills. This lesson gives them a visual representation of how to add and subtract simple numbers. Some students require visual learning concepts. Therefore, this could be an important memory for them.

Student Instructions:

Simplified version of student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tMzT3hYx8wIVgkeJ6FEHErGziYdboo4k87d3l6iYaXI/edit

Students will be wearing their kimonos. They will be given a Japanese-style fan. The students will learn a new Japanese-style fan dance to match the song. Play the song "Sakura Sakura", a traditional Japanese folk song depicting spring, the season of cherry blossoms. Learning this will give them the ability to memorize the dance while playing the song. A lesson of multitasking. As well learning how to match the tempo of the song, so the kids don't go too fast or too slow.

The dance they will be performing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYmAalptKpI

The song they will be performing to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hvo4Db3NT8

Student Instructions:

Simplified version of student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gM-xQi7NI5A4KTct34d94mz1gdm6q96M7rCWFX5zeUI/edit

The students will read about the origin of how the Washington D.C cherry blossoms came to America. This will be a printed-out, simplified version of an article on how the cherry blossoms came to America. It will tell them the gift of cherry blossoms from the Japanese people to the American people after the war. You will ask the class afterwards what they learned.

Student Instructions:

Simplified version of student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G7EqFMJvVZOl38kMlGnGqRN8h9cVR_qQD6MGgR9rciQ/edit

Students will be given three kanji characters to practice. Teachers will show how to write these kanji characters. Each table will be given some Japanese ink, paper, and a brush. The first kanji character is 花、はな (flower). The second kanji is 見、み (to watch). The third kanji is 桜、さくら (cherry blossom). These are three kanjis associated with this topic. Learning how to write a few simple characters in Japanese is simple, but meaningful to Japanese speakers.

Student Instructions:

Simplified version of student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12EZm8DLc9aKZabmGIjfrrbMpIu7Tft3h965n34OXvNs/edit

Each pair of students will be given a pair of garden gloves. They will be given a baggie with 2 seeds in each one. Once everyone has their own baggie with seeds as well as a pair of gloves, then have the class line up. Count to make sure everyone is in their groups, and take them on a little field trip outside. Spread them out accordingly and make sure there is enough room for each tree to grow when planted. They will start by digging a somewhat deep hole and placing the seed inside. They will then cover the hole back up with the dirt, then water them a bit to get started. They will be given a quick lesson on how long the trees take to grow, when they grow, etc. This obviously won't happen in a few days but hopefully by the time they graduate they will see some progress in the growing of the trees. Once everything is over they will be taken inside to go to the bathroom to wash the dirt off their hands.

Student Instructions:

Simplified instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PaYfOQfKrjYMVYmRxsPtxHQbhtWVXFZR7U6K27qJsN4/edit

After all of the other lessons, have the students sit in a circle. Each child should share what they've learned about cherry blossoms, along with their favorite lesson of this unit. Some children may have multiple, while some may have none. Encourage them to remember what they've done recently that has caught their attention. You may also ask them what that lesson has taught them. For example, if a student says they liked the art section. They could say that they learned how to use watercolor more efficiently to get a better result.

Student Instructions:

Simplified version of student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BxW_Qwl5GnqTmCKq8WiymLikWpbaPkh0WvxgJX6ZMEA/edit

Students will sit down on the carpet in a circle. You will have a basket of cherry blossom flowers and will pass it around for everyone to feel them. Then you will pass around the bark of a cherry blossom tree and the bark or an oak or birch tree to compare the differences and similarities. After each pass around you will call on the students and ask them what 'they' felt while touching the flowers. Or with the birch/oak tree and cherry blossom bark you can ask them if they see similarities with the two, and/or anything that seems different from the birch/oak tree bark.

Student Instructions:

Simplified version of student instructions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hm2keN_VCb4lsp4l-HdgTq0JlqwB75pSxLQQKQI75Ps/edit

Science, Dramatic Play, Motor Skills, Sensory Play, and Music

Gracie:

History, Language Arts, Circle Time, Math, and Art