Fairmount Third-Graders Wrap Up Kamishibai Lessons with Japan Festival

One of the third-grade reading groups at Fairmount School has been working since January on kamishibai, a traditional Japanese method of storytelling.

Students began by reading a variety of Japanese folktales, then they chose one tale to focus on with their partner.

“The partners worked to retell the story in their own words, then to create cards that illustrated various parts of the story,” said LRC Director Kelly Farrow.

The unit culminated with a Japan Festival, where the entire third grade was invited to enjoy Japanese snacks, view and hear the kamishibai performances by the reading group students, and interact with a guest speaker who was born and raised in Tokyo.

“It was a very exciting and memorable day!” Farrow said.