Hometown Studies (Apr. 2000 - March 2001)

Table of contents

1. First Grade
2. Second Grade
3. Third Grade
4. Fourth Grade
5. Fifth Grade
6. Sixth Grade

First Grade

Students learned about the roles of acorns in a tree's life. They collected acorns at a local park and shrine. Throughout the year, they made various things using acorns, including spinning tops, acorn cookies, decorations, and creative toys.

Acorn cookies

Acorn games

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  Second Grade

  Students studied about Shishi, (lion-dogs,) mythological creatures that are celebrated localy at Kanei Shrine. During festivals, a pair of enormous Shishi figures are brought together at Kanei shrine, and are carried by many people in a traditional parade from the top of the shrine, down the hillside for all to see. The pair, which represent male and female, are the largest paired shishi in Japan. During the year, the male shishi is housed in the shrine, while the female is kept at the Konan-Town Kyodokan (Folk-History Museum). Students constructed their own large pair of shishi using cardboard and other materials. They then conducted a mock festival in the tradition of Kanei Shrine.

  
  

  Shishi made
  at school
  

  Shishi at Kanei Shrine
  Autumn Festival
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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  Third Grade

  Students made several visits to the Konan-Town Senior Citizen's Center and participated in many activies with Konan's elderly. Students presented a play and performed music for their hosts. They also learned how to make tradional crafts and toys such as bamboo helecoptors and bamboo squirt-guns. They listened to stories told by several members of the senior citizen community.

  
  

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  Fourth Grade

  Students studied rivers in Konan Town. They conducted tests of water cleanliness, and investigated possible sources of pollution, such as houses, factories, littering, or runoff from farm fertilizers and insecticides. In addition, they examined fish and plant life in and around the rivers. Afterwards, they designed and distributed an information pamphlet to their families, including information on their findings, conclusions, and reccomendations for reducing river pollution from human sources.

  
  

  Students fish at a local pond
  

  Students collect samples
  
  

  
  
  

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  Fifth Grade

  Students learned about the rice growing process by actively planting, raising, harvesting, and preparing rice (for distribution), using the rice field located in the rear of the elementary school. Finally they prepared and ate various kinds of rice-dishes including onigiri, hand-rolled sushi, and takikomigohan.

  
  

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  Sixth Grade

  Students conducted independent research projects, expanding on various subjects, which they had learned about while in the elementary school. Each project focused on one of three areas; nature, industry, or culture in Konan Town. Students went to various locations related to their subject of interest and used a variety of research methods including interviews, book research, and photography to gather information. Following is a list of the specific subjects which were investigated.

  
  KONAN'S

   CULTURE                   INDUSTRY                   NATURE
  

  -Festivals -Takamatsu Airport -Riverine fish -Lion-dogs -Ishimaru Udon -Wild herbs with -Traditional things (noodle factory) medicinal values. -Activities at the -Simily and other -River pollution community Center companies based in Konan. and its effects. -Traditional pottery -JA Kagawa: Agricultural -Famous figures in Association Konan's history

  Making pottery		Students catch a fish
  	Takamatsu Airport
  ＊	＊	＊
  Japanesepottery kiln		Collecting medicinal plant
  	Udon factory

  
  

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