Artboardbackpack_iconblog_iconcalendar_iconchat-bubble_iconArtboardclock_iconArtboarddown-arrow-icondownload_iconfacebook-iconflickr-icongears_icongrad-hat_iconhandheart_iconinstagram-iconArtboardlaptop_iconleft-arrow-iconArtboardArtboardnews_iconArtboardpencil_iconpeople_iconpublication_iconArtboardright-arrow-iconruler_iconscroll_iconsearch_iconArtboardspeaker_icontools_icontwitter-iconup-arrow-iconyoutube-icon
‹ Back to List

Guest blog: ISTA member brings Japanese culture back to Hoosier students
09/09/2016

ISTA member Becky Muncy spent her summer learning more about Japanese culture by traveling through the Asian country. Muncy was the recipient of a Teacher Creativity Fellowship from the Lilly Endowment. In her guest blog, she outlines how she plans to bring the culture of Japan into her classroom to encourage her students to dream big.

Edited by Kara Seward.

I am privileged to teach K – 5 music at Lincoln Elementary and Parkview Primary School. I have been an ISTA member for 21 years.

In January, I was thrilled to learn I received a Lilly Grant to study Japanese folk music and culture. To help me prepare for the trip, I began teaching my students about Japan – basic words, geography, culture, songs, etc. It was a fun way to introduce Japan to them, and I learned a lot about this wonderful, ancient land, too!   

On June 7, I flew to Tokyo, Japan, accompanied by my youngest daughter, Caitlyn. Before going to Japan, I had purchased a JR [Japan Rail] train pass, which enabled us to ride trains, buses and ferries. The pass made traveling easier and more affordable. Bullet trains travel almost 200 mph and enabled us to get all over Japan quickly.

Our home base was Tokyo. From there we traveled far and wide with the guidance of our Japanese host family, the Hisadas. We spent almost six weeks traveling from Northern Japan to Okinawa attending folk festivals and visiting historical sights.

The festivals, music and dances were exciting! The food was delicious! The people of Japan were very kind and gracious. The architecture and landscapes were breathtaking!

Becky-Muncy-Japan-2.png#asset:8789

To a majority of my students in Bedford, Ind., Asia seems like a strange place with unusual people, languages, music and lifestyles. Many of my students do not get out of Bedford and have almost no connection to other nations or cultures. Through my travels in Japan, I can now share a glimpse into a country half a world away with my students.

In my classroom, my students will learn the Japanese songs and dances that were part of my experience. My students will see the pictures, videos and exciting places that are in Japan. They will participate in a program in April where they will share with their parents the songs, dances and culture of Japan.

I hope to inspire my students to dream big and travel the world when they grow up. I will show my students that in spite of our differences, we have a lot of similar things in common with Japan such as family, friends, food and music. I would also like to challenge my students to see that they can do anything in life if they think big and work hard.

Thank you to the Lilly Endowment for making it possible to have a jubilant journey across Japan this summer! It was truly a trip of a lifetime!

For more information about the Lilly Endowment’s Teacher Creativity Fellowship and how to apply visit, teachercreativity.org