Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project

Organization Area 1

Format 2

Cover Page: 2

Japanese Culture Page 2

Samurai Culture Page 2

Research Page 3

Samurai Resume 3

Rubric 3

Samurai Resume Format 4

Research Possibilities for the Japanese Samurai Portfolio 5

Pictures and Charts 6

Organization Area: What topics are you going to use?

Questions / Cultural Japan / Samurai / Research / Application Job
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Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project

Format

This project uses two file folders combined to create five panels of information. Each panel is described below, and the outline and format should be followed. There is room for creativity and expression, and the student will be able to show what he/she knows about the era of the samurai in Medieval Japan.

Step 1: Create the Portfolio by attaching the two folders.

Step 2: Design your Portfolio on a separate piece of paper

- Use the packet to organize your thoughts

- Use your notes to see where more information is needed

Step 3: Use the cut-outs and this outline to FILL ALL FIVE PAGES of the portfolio.

Step 4: Include captions on the pictures and check your writing for mistakes.

Cover Page: You are the samurai

1. Picture of you as a samurai. Include 5-7 descriptions of what is in the picture.

2. YOUR NAME and Period

3. 10 words in Japanese that are important this unit.

Japanese Culture Page: Include 3 elements of Japanese culture from this list.

1. For each item:

A. Include one picture

B. Include three to five (3-5) sentence descriptions

2. Decorate the page

Samurai Culture Page: Describe the training and lifestyle of a samurai.

1. Mental Training

A. Choose one picture to show how a samurai prepares his mind.

-Include 7 thought bubbles to show seven things that a samurai thinks about.

B. Choose one picture to show how a samurai prepares physically.

-Make a list of 7 items that will help a samurai to train.

Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project

Research Page: Investigate one resource (book, magazine, movie, website, etc.) about Japan or the samurai.

1. Write a 7-10 sentence paragraph (typed is preferred) describing what you learned from the research. Be sure to answer these two questions:

A. What did you learn about Japan?

B. How did the research connect to the honor and pride of the Japanese?

2. Include one picture of your research:

Book: draw or print the book cover or a scene from the book

Movie: draw or print the movie poster or a scene from the movie

Webpage: draw or print an item from the web

Magazine: cut-out or draw an item from the magazine

Samurai Resume: Describe your skills as a samurai for the daimyo to read.

Rubric

25: Excellent / 22: Good Work / 19: OK, but not great / 15: Very little effort
Content / The writing is complete, informative, and shows interest in the subject. / The writing is complete, shows some information, and some interest. / The writing is complete, but does not show much information or interest. / The writing is not complete, but shows some interest or information.
Effort / The student took time to produce a quality assignment. / The assignment shows some effort, with some mistakes. / The assignment shows effort with many mistakes. / The assignment shows little effort and many mistakes.
Research / The research is interesting and informative. The research page is complete. / The research is interesting and informative. / The research is interesting and informative, but the page is missing something. / The research page has some information but is mostly incomplete.
Creativity / The student shows pride in their work and the portfolio is decorated on every page. / The student shows pride in their work and the portfolio is decorated. / The student shows pride in their work, and some of the portfolio is decorated. / The students show little pride and there is little decoration.

Samurai Resume Format

Do you have what it takes to be a samurai? This assignment is fictional (make-believe) and should show creativity in your answers. The goal is to show that you know what makes a good samurai.

1. What job are you applying for? ______

2. What do you want to do in this job?

3. What are three jobs in the past that show you are ready for this position?

Job 1:

Accomplishments:

Job 2:

Accomplishments:

Job 3:

Accomplishments:

4. What skills do you have and why is this helpful?

Skill 1: ______:

Skill 2: ______:

Skill 3: ______:


Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project

Research Possibilities for the Japanese Samurai Portfolio

Books

Tales from Japan (Oxford Myths and Legends) by Helen and William McAlpine

Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures In Japan by Aimee Major Steinberger

Dave Barry Does Japan by Dave Barry

Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai by A. B. Mitford

A Thousand Years of Love by Avia Belle Moon

Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler

Kwaidan: Ghost Stories and Strange Tales of Old Japan by Lafcadio Hearn, Yasumasa Fujita, Oscar Lewis

Magazines

National Geographic: Japan’s Imperial Palace, The Samurai Way, Mt. Fuji

Discover Magazine

Travelers World

Websites

Culture: http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/index.html

Culture: http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/index.html

Mt. Fuji: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0208/feature3/

Mt. Fuji: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/mt-fuji.htm

National Geographic: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/

Encyclopedia: http://www.encyclopedia.com

Movies

The Hidden Blade (2004)

Twilight Samurai (2002)

When the Last Sword is Drawn(2003)

Heaven and Earth (1990)

Ran (1985)

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

The Last Samurai (2003)


Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project

Pictures and Charts


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