The term started with an wordless story showing life in a little Japanese village about 100 years ago. We learnt the characters suitable for labelling aspects of the pictures and played games to practise and check our learning.

Next week we will create a class story book with short stories based on the pictures.

Week 3 we will learn how Taiko drums are made and make our own Taiko drums from tyres and packing tape, with sensible children helping to create the drums sticks.

Week 4 we will start to learn the basic movements involved in playing the Taiko.

Each week a new aspect of the rhythmic dance and drumming will be introduced until the children can create their own little performance piece.

Week 7

We have merged the drumming with a sea shanty set to music, that has a dance attached to it. It is known as Soran Bushi. Each movement is an action appropriate to to fishermen. This week we hope to video the classes setting their actions to the rhythm of the drums.