Family Vocabulary

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 3
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Languages – Japanese
Unit: Discovering Japanese Language (Lesson 19 of 20)
Australian Curriculum Links:

• Strand: Communicating
• Sub-strand: Socialising and Informing
• Curriculum Code: ACLJAC120 – Participate in structured tasks to express and compare information about family using simple Japanese sentences.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Recognise and recall basic Japanese vocabulary for family members.
2. Apply their knowledge by creating and labelling a family tree.
3. Practise pronunciation through spoken exercises and games.

Resources Required

• Flashcards with Japanese family vocabulary (おとうさん, おかあさん, おにいさん, etc.).
• Mini whiteboards and markers.
• Printed blank family tree templates.
• Scissors and glue (optional, for interactive family tree activity).
• Small objects (e.g. foam balls) for a vocabulary game.

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Engagement Activity – "Who’s in My Family?"

• Begin by showing a simple drawing of a cartoon family. Ask students: Who might these people be?

• Write the English words for family members (e.g. father, mother, brother, sister) on the board.

• Introduce their Japanese equivalents using flashcards and pronunciation practice:

  • おとうさん (otōsan) – father
  • おかあさん (okāsan) – mother
  • おにいさん (onīsan) – older brother
  • おねえさん (onēsan) – older sister
  • おとうと (otōto) – younger brother
  • いもうと (imōto) – younger sister
  • おじいさん (ojiisan) – grandfather
  • おばあさん (obaasan) – grandmother

2. Guided Practice (10 minutes)

Game: "What’s Missing?"

• Display all flashcards on the board and have students repeat the words after you.
• Remove one card while students close their eyes. Ask, Which family member is missing?
• Students respond by saying the missing word in Japanese.

Activity: Mini Conversations

• Model a simple Q&A with a student:
  • おとうさんがいますか？ (Otōsan ga imasu ka?) – "Do you have a father?"
  • はい、おとうさんがいます。 (Hai, otōsan ga imasu.) – "Yes, I have a father."
  • いいえ、おとうさんがいません。 (Iie, otōsan ga imasen.) – "No, I don't have a father."
• Students pair up and practise with a partner, replacing otōsan with other family members.

3. Independent Task (10 minutes)

Family Tree Creation

• Hand out blank family tree templates.
• Students draw and label their own family tree using the Japanese words they have learned.
• Encourage creativity – they can draw real family members or create an imaginary family.

Bonus Challenge:

• Early finishers can add more details, such as pets (e.g. いぬ (inu) – dog, ねこ (neko) – cat).

4. Conclusion (5 minutes)

Quick-Fire Vocabulary Game – "Family Ball Toss"

• Stand students in a circle. Toss a small object (e.g. a foam ball) to a student and say a family word in English.
• The student must say the Japanese equivalent and toss the ball to another classmate.
• Continue until each student has participated.

Reflection Question:

• Ask: What was your favourite word to learn today?
• Encourage students to share their thoughts before wrapping up.

Differentiation & Support

• For students needing support: Provide word banks or allow them to pair up with a peer.
• For advanced learners: Challenge them to use additional vocabulary (e.g. はは (haha) – informal "mother").

Assessment

• Informal observation during pair work and games.
• Checking students' family trees for correct vocabulary use.

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This engaging, interactive approach ensures Year 3 students grasp Japanese family vocabulary in a fun and memorable way! 🎌