© The Japan Society with Helen Kerray (2020)

Japanese Sports Days in Physical Education
This unit of work aims to introduce to British school children activities linked to Japanese Sports Days (undokai). Firstly, through a form of callisthenic (simple &minimal equipment) exercise performed to music known as Radio Taiso (radio exercises); and then through introducing Sports Day themed activities typicallypractised in Japanese schools. The benefits of promoting Japanese Sports Days stem from the fact that they promote activities which are not focused on
individual attainment but celebrate teamwork by awarding points to teams. It is aimed at KS2-3 although this unit is introductory and therefore could easily be
differentiated to suit KS1 or KS4.
CURRICULUM LINKS
The following National Curriculum for Physical Education aims will be met through the unit of work:• Students develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities•

Students are physically active for sustained periods of time•

Students lead healthy, active lives
CROSS CURRICULAR LINKS

The unit of work creates clear links to other NC subjects.
• PSHCE: Social skills / Mental wellbeing / Relaxation / Cultural links• History: Historical links on the beginning of Radio Taiso/undokai and how it has developed through the years through Japanese culture• MFL: Language links to Japanese• Geography: Use of world map to show Japan in relation to the UK
WHOLE SCHOOL LINKS
Through completing this unit of work, whole school links could be made by applying the principles of teamwork, overcoming obstacles as a team and problem
solving into their own Japanese Sports Day. The Sports Day activities within this scheme can be used as taster sessions / standalone lessons, as a scheme, andalso to inspire a school-wide Japan Sports Day which can incorporate Radio Taiso, dance, cheering squads, opportunities for parent-teacher participation, andcompeting in team work activities together as a class / school community.
RESOURCES
A variety of resources can be used to accompany the scheme of work:• Radio Taiso Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xfDmrcI7OI)• Video of Radio Taiso being performed seated (see link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJIyIoOXsF8&t=18s)• Japanese Sports Day Pack and Field Set Up Instructions• Individual Lesson Plans 1-6• Japanese Sports Day Presentation• Self and Peer Evaluation cards

Keywords
Radio Taiso (Radio Exercise), undokai (Sports Day), kaizen (to improve) routine exercise, movement, dynamic, flexibility, core strength, mindfulness,cardiovascular, preparation, unison, cannon, facings, formation, flexibility, digestion, teamwork, working together, cooperation, problem solving.
Assessment• Teacher assessment• Peer and Self-Assessment (resources included)
Asses

LessonLearning Objective
To understand and experience thecharacteristics of Radio Taiso

1Outcomes:• Perform movements from Radio
Taiso• Select Radio Taiso movements into
group exercise routine• Apply Radio Taiso routine to open
an event

To understand how communication
affects partner work in ʻWhat ARacketʼ

2Outcomes:• Identify the benefits ofcommunication in pair work

Suggested Activities
Task 1• Students to enter the learning environment with the Radio Taiso music playing.
• Q&A on what students have found interesting about the music.
• Show clip of Radio Taiso video. Ask students to think about the characteristics of the movements
being shown. Think/Pair Activity.
• Explain Radio Taiso concept to students using the About Radio Taiso presentation.
Task 2• Teacher lead. Students to copy and perform the Radio Taiso movements.
Task 3• Students discuss success criteria and practice the movements in small groups.
Task 4• Students to perform their Radio Taiso sequence as a class whilst videoing it, ready to watch it backand give themselves feedback.
• Students can perform and review numerous times with teacher guidance and use the end result fora sports day event.
Extension Activities• If time allows, students should revisit the routine and apply improvements.
Task 1• Using the background notes, explain briefly how undokai are different to UK sports days. Tell students this lesson is focused on pair work.
• Students complete a warm-up activity using Radio Taiso movements from lesson 1.
Task 2• Students complete a pair work activity, performing a growing sequence of moves.
• Hold a mini-plenary and highlight studentsʼ successes.

••

Select and apply communication
strategies to a problem
Perform with improving control
the pairs tasks demonstrating
good communication/

To understand the importance ofhaving fun to promote physicalactivity3Outcomes:• Identify key differences between
British and Japanese approaches toSports Days.
• Understand the importance ofhumour and team work to provide
a fun activity/activity day• Replicate with accuracy two events
typical to Japanese Sports Days.

Task 3• Facilitate a practice of the main activity (What a Racket game from the Sports Day Pack) with various
restrictions on communication.
• Students to choose their own equipment to complete the course.
Task 4• Split the class into 2-4 main teams for the What a Racket activity (you may like to use a Red teamand a White team as in undokai) and play several times.
• Hold a class plenary to discuss how communication affected performance.
Extension Activities• Students can use mini white boards and note down in teams, their top 5 tips for effective pair workfor the ʻhypothetical next classʼ completing the activity.
Task 1• Students warm up using Radio Taiso in pairs or larger teams.
• Using the background notes, remind students how undokai are different to UK sports days. Tell students this lesson focuses on the importance of having fun and humour in bringing people together.
• Divide students into 2 teams: a red team and a white team.
Task 2• Tell students their tasks: Red Task ‒ To use the equipment available to design an activity which will
test the other teamʼs ability to work as a team; White Task ‒ To use the equipment available to design a fun activity which will make the other team laugh.
• Activity can be mainly student led. If needed, teacher to provide support or ideas.
Task 3• Each team completes the course designed for them and offers appraisal to the other team after theactivity
Task 4• Students complete one of the other Japanese activities included in the Sports Day Pack which emphasises having fun.
• Hold a plenary and ask students to complete a ʻFist of 5ʼ for how the Japanese Sports Day differsfrom the UK Sports Day.
Extension Activities• Switch the tasks assigned to each group in Task 2 and play again.
• Students to write up their experience in a news reporter style.
• Include some Japanese cultural aspects i.e. make Japanese head bands (hachi-maki) using red andwhite cloth which can be decorated with slogans.

To understand the importance ofworking with others to promotecollaboration and teamwork in sports

4Outcomes:• Identify tactics to promote TeamWork• Communicate effectively with• others to improve performance.
• Apply communication skills to ateam challenge

To understand how reflecting on ourown performance can lead toimprovement and a sense ofachievement

5Outcomes:• Understand that self-reflection
leads to taking positive action(based on NC)• Describe how you have reflectedusing kaizen in order to improve
within the sports/activity context• Demonstrate self-reflection bycompeting with an improvement
in a chosen area.

Task 1• Remind students that the emphasis on Sports Day in Japan is not on individual attainment, the importance of working with others and as a team.
• All students do a Radio Taiso warm-up together, trying to move in unison as a group.
Task 2• Facilitate an activity based on the UFO game from the Japanese Sports Day Pack: in small groups,students navigate a course carrying a giant beach ball/gym ball with various restrictions.
• Discuss how successful they were and what was challenging.
• Let the students try again with no restrictions. How did they find it this time?
Optional extension to Task 2• Set a variety of different challenges and keep changing over the restrictions or penalties for dropping the balls• Time each attempt to see if when team performance improves as communication does.
Task 3• Choose more games which highlight the importance of group work (e.g. UFO Race, Down the Line,Centipede Race, All Aboard) and compete in the Red/White teams.
• Hold a plenary discussing the challenges and how they overcame them.
Task 1• Warm up using Radio Taiso. If the students are confident, experiment with formations.
• Explain this lesson will focus on self-reflection and improving personal performance.
• Introduce the concept of ʻkaizenʼ by asking students to reflect on their Radio Taiso performance andusing the kanji cards.
Task 2• Set up the obstacle course elements from the Sports Day Pack and ask students in pairs to timeeach other doing one of the tasks.
• Ask them to reflect and set a small concrete target for a positive change.
• Repeat the task and assess if there has been any improvement. Apply to other tasks.
Task 3• Students to compete in the relay race from the pack.
• Ask teams to complete the race with no other instructions at first attempt. Time it or record qualityof movement / level of teamwork.
Task 4• Students evaluate their performance by thinking of one small thing they could do better and writing it on a post it note. Ask several students to share their idea.
• Students should try the relay again focusing on their ʻkaizenʼ and discuss the outcomesApply knowledge of Japanese culture
and enjoy a fun filled Sports Day/Afternoon

Extension Activity• Students to design their own obstacle course.
• Students try another game from the pack and try applying the ʻkaizenʼ approach.
Incorporate all of the key topics and elements covered in the previous lessons to hold an undokai forthe class, year group, or whole school using the games in the Japanese Sports Day Pack.

See the lesson plan for advice on planning an undokai, a sample timetable, and other considerations.

6

Learning Outcomes:• Identify the different cultural activities included within the Sports Day• Apply kaizen independently tomake small changes for the goodof yourself and the team• Compete with good humour andteamwork