Objectives

Upon hearing the Japanese terms for body parts presented in this part of the Unit, students will be able to respond by touching or moving the corresponding parts of their own bodies.

Skills

listening

Vocabulary/Structures

Materials

None (other than audio or video tapes for songs with the vocabulary of body parts if available)

Procedures

1. Presentation

Sing or play an audio or video tape of a song whose lyrics include vocabulary of body parts in its lyrics, and point to or touch those body parts as the terms appear in the song.

e.g. [to the tune of "London Bridge"]

ΕΩMe, hana, kuchi, mimi, te, mimi, te, mimi, te,
Me, hana, kuchi, mimi, te, kata, hiza, o-shiri.

(Eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hands, ears, hands, ears, hands,
Eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hands, shoulders, knees, hips)

2. Input

Have students touch the corresponding parts of their own bodies as you sing. First model the movements. Eventually have the students do the exercise on their own. Stop the song after each term and wait for students to touch the corresponding part before going on to the next term. As the students become familiar with the song and the movements, change the pace by either speeding up or slowing down.

3. Input

Keep changing the order in which you say the terms and have the students respond appropriately.

Suggestions

Atama, Kata, Hiza (Head, Shoulder, Knees) is a popular song for introducing the vocabulary of body parts in Japanese in a foreign language classroom. You may also use songs from Japanese TV shows for preschool children such as Karada, genki kana (How are you, Body?) from Ponkikki and Zoo-san no Akubi (Elephant's Yawn) from O-kaasan to Issho (Together with Mother); see Teaching Materials List. Such TV programs usually sell videos that you could utilize in your class.