Japanese Picture Stories

          Module 1: Getting Started with Japanese Picture Stories

Section 1: Recognizing Japanese Sounds and Greetings  
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Basic Japanese Sounds  
  Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 1: Listen to and imitate simple Japanese sounds using fun picture prompts.  
- Lesson 2: Simple Greetings in Japanese  
  Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 2: Learn basic greetings like "こんにちは" (konnichiwa) through friendly illustrated characters.

Section 2: Basic Vocabulary from Pictures  
- Lesson 1: Colors and Shapes in Japanese  
  Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 1: Explore color names and simple shapes with colorful picture examples.  
- Lesson 2: Everyday Nouns in Illustrations  
  Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 2: Identify common objects such as "りんご" (ringo – apple) using engaging images.

Section 3: Story Elements in Pictures  
- Lesson 1: Recognizing Characters in a Story  
  Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 1: Introduce basic character depictions from picture books and match with Japanese words.  
- Lesson 2: Expressing Emotions with Images  
  Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 2: Learn simple adjectives like "うれしい" (ureshii – happy) by looking at expressive illustrations.

Section 4: Sequencing Events in a Picture Story  
- Lesson 1: Beginning, Middle, End  
  Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 1: Understand the order of events in a simple picture story using visual cues and basic Japanese terms.  
- Lesson 2: Linking Images with Simple Phrases  
  Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 2: Connect illustrations with basic phrases, encouraging vocal repetition.

Section 5: Cultural Symbols in Japanese Picture Books  
- Lesson 1: Recognizing Traditional Japanese Patterns  
  Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 1: Identify common cultural motifs and basic vocabulary associated with them.  
- Lesson 2: Simple Words for Cultural Icons  
  Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 2: Learn names for familiar cultural symbols such as "さくら" (sakura – cherry blossom) via picture examples.


Module 2: Building Vocabulary Through Picture Narratives

Section 1: Animal Friends  
- Lesson 1: Introducing Animal Names in Japanese  
  Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 1: Learn names of common animals with vivid illustrations and simple Japanese words.  
- Lesson 2: Animal Actions and Sounds  
  Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 2: Match animals with their sounds and actions using pictures and onomatopoeia in Japanese.

Section 2: Nature and Environment  
- Lesson 1: Weather and Seasons Vocabulary  
  Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 1: Explore simple weather terms and seasonal changes through pictures and basic phrases.  
- Lesson 2: Nature Elements: Trees, Flowers, and Sky  
  Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 2: Identify natural elements with corresponding Japanese words accompanied by clear illustrations.

Section 3: Family and Friends in Pictures  
- Lesson 1: Family Member Vocabulary  
  Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 1: Introduce simple terms for family members using picture story characters.  
- Lesson 2: Simple Personal Introductions  
  Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 2: Practice introducing family and friends using basic Japanese phrases with playful images.

Section 4: Everyday Actions  
- Lesson 1: Learning Action Verbs  
  Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 1: Use illustrations to introduce basic action verbs such as "たべる" (taberu – eat) and "あるく" (aruku – walk).  
- Lesson 2: Connecting Actions with Daily Routines  
  Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 2: Link everyday picture scenarios with corresponding phrases in Japanese.

Section 5: Interactive Picture Storytelling  
- Lesson 1: Forming Simple Sentences from Pictures  
  Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 1: Encourage assembling visuals into basic sentences using vocabulary learned.  
- Lesson 2: Role-Playing Illustrated Stories  
  Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 2: Engage in role-playing to act out the picture stories with simple Japanese dialogues.


Module 3: Exploring Visual Literacy in Japanese

Section 1: Understanding Picture Elements  
- Lesson 1: Identifying Key Elements in Illustrations  
  Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 1: Examine pictures for important details and learn their Japanese names.  
- Lesson 2: Matching Words to Images  
  Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 2: Practice matching simple Japanese words to corresponding parts of the picture story.

Section 2: Describing Scenes and Settings  
- Lesson 1: Vocabulary for Outdoors and Indoors  
  Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 1: Learn basic words for settings such as "そら" (sora – sky) and "いえ" (ie – house) with visual cues.  
- Lesson 2: Simple Descriptions of Scenes  
  Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 2: Practice describing scenes in pictures using short Japanese phrases.

Section 3: Expressing Emotions Visually  
- Lesson 1: Matching Emotions to Faces in Pictures  
  Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 1: Recognize and name basic emotions (happy, sad) using clear facial images with Japanese adjectives.  
- Lesson 2: Using Pictures to Express Feelings  
  Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 2: Practice simple expressions like "かなしい" (kanashii – sad) with illustration cues.

Section 4: Character Traits in Picture Books  
- Lesson 1: Recognizing Simple Character Traits  
  Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 1: Identify traits like kindness or bravery depicted in story characters with appropriate Japanese descriptors.  
- Lesson 2: Describing Characters with Simple Words  
  Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 2: Use pictures to describe characters using basic adjectives and nouns.

Section 5: Japanese Art and Cultural Imagery  
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Japanese Traditional Art in Pictures  
  Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 1: Explore traditional art elements in picture stories and learn associated vocabulary.  
- Lesson 2: Identifying Cultural Symbols in Illustrations  
  Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 2: Recognize and name cultural icons such as "ふで" (fude – brush) using images.


Module 4: Enhancing Communication through Picture Stories

Section 1: Listening and Repetition  
- Lesson 1: Listening to Simple Picture Narratives  
  Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 1: Listen to narrated picture stories in Japanese and identify basic words.  
- Lesson 2: Repeating Key Japanese Phrases  
  Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 2: Echo and practice repeating simple phrases heard in the picture stories.

Section 2: Speaking Simple Japanese  
- Lesson 1: Describing a Picture in Japanese  
  Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 1: Encourage verbal descriptions of pictures using basic vocabulary.  
- Lesson 2: Constructing Simple Sentences  
  Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 2: Practice forming short sentences to describe actions and objects in a picture.

Section 3: Visual Story Retelling  
- Lesson 1: Arranging Picture Sequences  
  Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 1: Retell a simple picture story by reordering its images and using familiar words.  
- Lesson 2: Narrating Your Own Picture Story  
  Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 2: Create a short narrative based on a series of pictures using basic Japanese phrases.

Section 4: Interactive Group Storytelling  
- Lesson 1: Collaborative Story Building  
  Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 1: Work in a group to build a picture story, each contributing simple Japanese words or phrases.  
- Lesson 2: Sharing Narratives in a Group Setting  
  Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 2: Present a group-created picture story to classmates, reinforcing vocabulary through shared learning.

Section 5: Role-Playing and Dialogue Practice  
- Lesson 1: Acting Out Picture Scenarios  
  Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 1: Use role-play to act out scenes from picture stories with simple dialogues in Japanese.  
- Lesson 2: Practicing Simple Conversations  
  Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 2: Engage in paired activities that promote using basic greetings and questions in context.


Module 5: Review and Creative Expression in Picture Stories

Section 1: Recapping Key Vocabulary  
- Lesson 1: Comprehensive Vocabulary Review  
  Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 1: Revisit key words learned across previous modules using a collage of picture prompts.  
- Lesson 2: Fun Vocabulary Matching Games  
  Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 2: Play matching games where images are paired with corresponding Japanese words.

Section 2: Creating Your Own Picture Story  
- Lesson 1: Storyboard Creation with Simple Images  
  Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 1: Draw a basic storyboard and label images with familiar Japanese words.  
- Lesson 2: Narrating Your Picture Story  
  Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 2: Practice telling your own story using short, simple Japanese phrases.

Section 3: Interactive Story Sequencing Games  
- Lesson 1: Picture Order Challenges  
  Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 1: Participate in games that require putting pictures in the correct sequence with verbal cues.  
- Lesson 2: Building Sentences from Sequenced Images  
  Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 2: Create simple sentences by ordering illustrated events correctly.

Section 4: Art and Expression with Japanese Themes  
- Lesson 1: Drawing with Japanese Inspiration  
  Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 1: Engage in drawing activities inspired by Japanese culture and picture stories.  
- Lesson 2: Coloring and Labeling Activity  
  Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 2: Color pictures and label parts using basic Japanese vocabulary.

Section 5: Final Review and Celebration  
- Lesson 1: Interactive Review of Picture Stories  
  Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 1: Recap the course content through an interactive review of key lessons using visuals and repetition.  
- Lesson 2: Story Sharing and Cultural Celebration  
  Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 2: Share your favorite picture story with the class and celebrate your progress with a fun cultural activity.

This curriculum is designed to engage young learners aged 5 and up using picture-based lessons that build fundamental Japanese vocabulary, promote visual literacy, and introduce cultural elements. Each lesson encourages interactive participation, creativity, and gradual language development in a fun and supportive environment.