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Lesson 1
The Sound of Waves:
Introduction to Japanese society

Guiding Question: Who are the Japanese?

Performance Objectives
Students will be able to:

• identify ways in which Japanese culture differs from ours
• appraise the influence of the West and modernism on present day Japan

Procedures:
Using newspapers and magazines such as National Geographic and Japan Info teacher will obtain visuals. Divide class into 5 groups.

• Based on these visuals, what can you say about the Japanese culture?
• What initial generalizations can you make about Japanese culture?
• What additional information would you need after having looked at these pictures? Brainstorm and categorize questions.

One designated individual from each group will share the visuals and the group's impressions with the entire class. Summarize on chalkboard. Ask students to copy first impressions in notebook to be used as a basis for comparison after they finish the novel.

Application:
Distribute reading schedule for the Sound of Waves. Based on today's lesson, respond to the following question in your literature log:

• In what ways do the Japanese seem similar to Americans?
• How do they seem to differ?