Explorica is very proud of our new resource for teachers: our 2018-19 Around the World classroom calendar!
The calendar features a new country and an international holiday or event for you to celebrate with your students each month. Download a new page each month on this blog (and subscribe!), hang it up in your classroom, and talk to your students about how the holiday reflects the country’s history and culture.
This April, we’re featuring Showa Day. Showa Day falls on the birthday of Emperor Showa, who ruled Japan from 1926 to 1989. On April 29, Japanese people reflect on this turbulent period and celebrate the beginning of Golden Week. Golden Week is a period of spring holidays wherein many Japanese take time off work and travel, especially to the best spots to view cherry blossoms.
The other holidays that fall during Golden Week are Constitution Memorial Day on May 3, Greenery Day on May 4, and Children’s Day on May 5.
Questions to ask your students:
Can you think of any reasons why Emperor Showa is regarded as a controversial figure?
What other natural wonders do people travel to see only at certain times of year?
Do you know what the United States’ national flower is?
Interested in taking your students to Japan? Check out our Japan in Depth itinerary.