

finally, invite the children to decorate their fish with tempera pain, crayons, markers, and crepe paper streamers. Then have the children draw large black circles for eyes on both side of the bags, near the mouth.
JAPAN KIDS SONG HOW TO
Next, show the children how to cut a large “V” shape from the open end of their bags to make fish tails. Help the children cut out a large fish mouth in the closed end of their bags. Invite interested children to share their experiences. Paper carp are often hung during festivals to remind the people that facing hard times can make a person stronger.Īsk the children if they can remember ever doing something that was hard for them. Because carp work so hard to swim up the streams, they are considered good examples in Japan.

It’s hard work swimming up streams and yet hard work makes the carp grow stronger. Carp can swim up fast-moving streams and waterfalls. Explain that in Japan, the carp represents strength, energy, and a long life. Ask children to gather around a work table covered with newspaper. Make a paper bag carp, (see directions provided below). Invite the children to draw tree branches on sheets of light blue construction paper and then cover the branches with pink “blossoms”. Cover a work table with newspaper and place materials within easy reach of the children. show the children how to tear pink facial tissue into little pieces, spread small dots of glue on the branch, and then press the tissue pieces on the glue to make fluffy “petals”. Draw a tree branch on light blue construction paper with a brown crayon. Explain that in the spring, cherry trees in Japan are covered with pink blossoms. Show the children some cherry blossoms (or a picture of cherry blossoms). Cherry blossoms (or a picture of cherry blossoms)
