Cultural Connections in the Classroom

In 6th and 7th grade history, students have been studying Japan. As part of this, they have been learning about the samurai code of conduct known as "bushido." They have connected this code to today's society by creating their own code for the classroom, such as the one below:

Bushido for the Classroom
1. You will listen to the teacher
2. You will pay attention
3. You will finish and turn in all assignments given out
4. You will finish any classwork
5. You will not fool around during class

Students have also been learning about Japanese poetry during the same time period, which included short poems known as tanka. Below are two tanka poems penned by the students themselves.

Poem #1:
Morning dew on grass
Spring blossoms in the orchard
Doves singing softly
The sky a sapphire blue
Winter releases its grasp

Poem #2:
The quiet Koi pond
A blossom falls from a tree
Lands gently thereon
Making gentle ripples form
Then the pond becomes silent

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