Japanese Culture Bell Ringers

This is a set of Japanese Culture Bell Ringers.

Bell ringers are an excellent way to start your classes. The students know exactly what to do and what is expected of them because there is an established routine.

Each slide in the presentation will prompt students to write about and reflect on an aspect of Japanese culture. Each bell ringer should take about 5-10 minutes to complete.

You can choose to have each student keep a Bell-Ringer Journal throughout the year that you check periodically for grading and/or you can have a couple students share their responses with the class every day.

There are a total of 18 bell ringers included in this packet.

A few of the bell ringers included are:

Toro Nagashi is an event that happens during Obon season. Paper lanterns are floated down a river to guide the souls of the departed to the spirit realm. What other traditions relating to the afterlife do you know of? What ways does your culture have of honoring the departed?

Sumo is the national sport of Japan. It originated in ancient times and there are many rituals with religious background that are still followed during matches today. What is the most popular sport in our country? Do you think that sport will still be in existence and celebrated over one thousand years from now? Why?

Taiko is an ancient form of percussion instrument that is played and celebrated to this day. It was used in Japanese folk and classical music. They were thought to drive away evil spirits and had strong ties to Buddhism. They were used to rouse the samurai troops during the feudal times and used in festivals for celebratory purposes. The body of a taiko drum is made from the wood of a single large tree trunk. The taiko drum is made from natural materials. There is a special connection between nature and Japanese culture. What role does nature play in your culture?

An 18 page PDF