Each unit lends itself to coordination across disciplines. In addition to wearing kimonos, girls make their own paper kimonos and build Japanese kites in art class. In science, they study the animals and geography of Japan and create their own Japanese rock garden. Tangrams and origami are used to introduce geometric concepts in math class.

To learn more, roll over and click on items in the photos.

Students celebrate the end of the unit with a traditional Japanese tea party. They learn the meaning of this important social ritual while also experiencing the fun of using chopsticks to sample some Japanese delicacies.

To learn more, roll over and click on items in the photos.

During the unit on Japan, they read Japanese storybooks and folktales, use common words from the Japanese language, play Japanese games, and learn traditional art forms such as origami and calligraphy.

To learn more, roll over and click on items in the photos.

“By helping our students see their commonalities with children in other parts of the world, we help them develop a global view,” says teacher Edee Zabriskie. “We want them to understand that everyone comes from somewhere, and everyone has a story.” In addition to studying Japan and other cultures, the girls trace their own family heritage to different countries throughout the world.

To learn more, roll over and click on items in the photos.

For young students in Primary School, experience is the best teacher. In first grade, girls immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of various world cultures, including Japan, Mexico, and Israel.

To learn more, roll over and click on items in the photos.