2015 IIME REPORTCountrySchoolPartner[ United States ][ Scales Mound Junior High School ] Teacher [ Karen Kelly ] Grade (8) Student (12)[ (JP ) Kizu-Minami Junior High School ] Teacher [ Mami Miyahara ]# Subjects, Activities and Times of the lessons
Subject
Conception of the lesson

Hours

Social Studies

Geography of Japan

4

Social Studies

History of Japan

3

Social Studies

Japan today – cultural understanding, Culture of the United States

5# Theme and Message of the mural
Theme

Our dream, Local products, daily life, Environment, culture

Message

I am happy I was born into this world# Effects and the Problems
Effects your students have gained
The students learned about student life in Japan, types ofsnack foods, what they do in free time. They also criticallyanalyzed “what defines culture”.
Then they analyzed
symbolisms, reflecting upon our lives to determine the goodthings and the not so good things. Finally found symbols torepresent both the good and the bad things that impact us.

Points for further improvement
There are no suggestions to further improve theprogram. Each year the students have a wonderfulexperience and very unique to our partnership.

# How has your impression toward your partner country and/or the world changed?
Change in student’s impression
Change in teacher’s impression
The students realized their lives are very similar, Thinking about the statement “ I am happy to have been bornthey like to do the same things, eat yummy foods into this world” was a wonderful reflection for me as I led thestudents to think about the phrase. To also analyze
that are not always good for us, and they have the symbolisms used by our partners and then lead a discussion
same concerns about our world.
about the topic was a good opportunity for me to reflect on
many things in our world and how the world has changed
during my life time.

# Flow of the Activity
ContentMonthIntroduction

ResearchComposition

Painting

Appreciation
Reflection

SepOctNovJanJan

Feb

What you did
We posted messages onforum, sent links to 2
introductory videos about
our school and community

Your students attitude/reflection
The enjoyed the introductions and thecards we received.

Students learned about thecountry of Japan

Students found we are different
countries with many similarities andconnected by globalization

Students brainstormed ideas
and then selected types ofsymbolism that would
explain our ideas

Students analyzed the symbolism,
developed thoughts on our culture,
issues in our world and happy things

We worked together as aclass to paint the muralStudents
learnedsome
painting
techniques and reflected upon culture
and what does that mean

The mural was hung in theschool hallway so visitorsand students would see it.
A newspaper also printed astory about the muralproject, including picturesand interviews of thestudents

Manystudents
andvisitors
complemented the finished mural. The
newspaper goes to many different towns
and many people have commented to me
about the article and what a wonderfulprogram and great opportunity for mystudents.

Subject
SocialStudies

SocialStudies

SocialStudies

SocialStudies

SocialStudies# Aim of the Lessons and Result
Aim: Rank A to C in order you put emphasis on (A: very much/ B: much / C: not so much)
Result: Rank 5 to 1 (5: very effective / 4: effective / 3: so- so / 2: not so effective / 1: not effective at all)

Expected Effect
Understanding our owncultures
Understanding theother’s cultures
Communication ability
in the class/with partners

IT skills
Creating friendship

AimResultA5A5A

54A

5Attitude in learning

A5Expression ability

A

5

Appreciation abilityA

5Collaborationin the class/with partners

We used the forum, sent cards/letters through the mail. Uploaded
2 videos to You Tube and then sent the link through the forum toour partners.

Forum posts were shared in classBB

in the class/with partners

How your students have reached itThrough discussion of what other countries this of the U.S.,
discussing our impressions of ourselves
Research the country, teacher sharing travel experiences whenvisiting Japan, through the forum and communication withpartners

Sharing information on forum, writing letters, sending pictures,and snack foods
Students worked with peers, enjoying each other’s company,
chatting while they worked. With partners collaborated on theforum
Students learned a lot about themselves, our country, our world,
and the many things that concern all citizens of the world
Students develop confidence in their painting skills as theylearned how to mix colors, add shading to give the painting depthThe many compliments of the completed mural made thestudents feel very proud