Tomorrow is finally New Year's Eve! A 'Zodiac Lesson' you should take precisely because it's the end of the year

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I am Ryoyan from Kyoiku LIBRARY, a former teacher.

Tomorrow is finally New Year's Eve‼️

Since it's the end of the year, I wanted to write an article related to it.

While thinking about that, I suddenly remembered teaching a lesson on the twelve zodiac signs that is in the third-grade textbook!

So, considering that the New Year is almost here, I would like to introduce that zodiac lesson today.

Everyone, please return to a heart as innocent as a child's? lol

I hope you enjoy reading this.

The reality of the zodiac lesson

First, let's check the information provided in the textbook.

The textbook contains the following explanation along with a diagram.
(The illustration has been changed due to copyright)

That is all.

The other page contains the traditional names for the months.

This means I have to conduct a 20 to 25-minute lesson using only the twelve zodiac signs.

Using only the scant information found in the textbook.

How would you conduct this lesson?

I developed the lesson as follows.
(Without having them open their textbooks)

...

First, I show the illustration presented at the beginning and confirm how to read it.

Then, I explain that it was also used for directions and time.

From here, we start with a warm-up.

I present the information written in the textbook while keeping it hidden.

I have the children raise their hands to answer.

Next, I do the same, starting with the information hidden by a square, and have them answer afternoon and morning.

Since third graders are just learning the story 'Mochimochi no Ki' (The Mochimochi Tree), I relate it to that.

Now, I pose a question here.

From here, I read a picture book to introduce why it is said that the zodiac animals are in this particular order in the first place.

I will summarize the plot for you, just in case.

Since that content is told in a story-like manner, the children listened with great focus.

Now, this is the interesting part where we take a different approach.

I connect this 'Kimon' (Demon Gate) with 'Momotaro'.

Do you know why?

Next is the 'Ura-kimon' (Rear Demon Gate).

However, one question remains here.

Here is a hint.

I once wrote an article about the connection between organizational growth and the characters in 'Momotaro,' but it seems 'Momotaro' really does have deeper secrets than I imagined.

Now, from here, we will expand our perspective using the 'Kimon' (Demon Gate) as a starting point.

They intentionally make the walls at the Demon Gate without 'corners,' don't they?

A custom that has been passed down continuously to this day.

The orientation of building roofs has also been calculated and built that way since ancient times, hasn't it?

And let's take it one step further.

Did you all notice anything?

I would say things like that, end on a mysterious note, and finish by having them recite the 'Twelve Zodiac signs'.

That was the flow I used to design the lesson.

The textbook only had three types of information, but I am surprised myself that it expanded from there into something like an 'urban legend' haha.

When it becomes break time,

'Teacher, is what you said in class true?'

'What other secrets are there?'

The children would gather around asking things like that.

'Well, there might be various things~ Why don't you look it up yourself if you're curious?'

I would say things like that, and without giving them the answers or hints, I would end it by tickling their intellectual curiosity.

I often end my lessons this way, but if a child actually looks it up, I praise them immensely.

'Even I was surprised!'

I am moved, introduce it to the class, include it in the class newsletter, and so on, producing it in such a way that the child who researched it independently gets to be in the spotlight.

Then, a group that researches things they are interested in on their own will grow, little by little, little by little.

This is also one way to cultivate 'intellectual curiosity'.

New Year's Trivia

Since you went to the trouble of opening this article, I would like to finish by introducing some New Year's trivia.

What relates to the event of New Year's is, after all, the existence of a 'deity'.

Originally, New Year's events were a ritual where the Japanese, as an agricultural people, 'welcomed the spirits of ancestors as the Toshigami (year deity) at the beginning of the new year, thanked them for the previous year's harvest, and prayed for a bountiful harvest in the new year.'

Because of such origins, the things we do around the New Year have various meanings related to 'deities'.

For example, the Kadomatsu.

The Kadomatsu is a temporary dwelling for the Toshigami when they descend, and it seems that the word 'matsu' (wait) came to be used often since the Heian period with the meaning of 'a tree to wait for the god'.

Osechi-ryori is also an abbreviation for Osechiku, which is food offered to the gods at the 'setsu' (seasonal turning points).

'Shinjin Kyoshoku' (God and man eating together)

By taking into our bodies what was given to the gods, we sought to harbor the power of the gods.

Also, Otoshidama originally began when the Toshigami gave souls to the offerings made by their descendants,

and it is said that in each household, in addition to the magnificent Kagami Mochi, they made many small round rice cakes that signified the distribution of the soul of the Toshigami, and distributed them to all the family members.

By the way, for homes that have a Kamidana (household Shinto altar), it is actually considered good to place a 'mirror' next to the Kamidana.

If you remove 'ga' (self) from 'kagami' (mirror), it becomes 'kami' (god).

When you put your hands together in front of the Kamidana, by looking at your own face and checking if 'self' is coming out from within you, 'God = your natural, authentic charm emerges' it is said that you can spend your daily life in a state of mind where you are grateful for what happens.

If your home has a Kamidana, please try it.

Summary

Ceremonial occasions each have their own proper origins, and by understanding each individual action, you can make those milestone events truly meaningful.

I believe that as we grow older and learn the history behind such events, we can add another layer of depth to our character.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve.

And then, we will welcome the New Year.

Why not take this opportunity to research for yourself why these events exist, gain some wisdom, and make this year-end and New Year period a little deeper than ever before?

If you know of any interesting origins of customs or events, I would be very grateful if you could share them with me.

If you found the content of this article even a little bit good or helpful, I would be happy if you could 'like' or 'follow'!

I would also be grateful if you could leave a 'comment'! I want this to be a library where those who read the comments can deepen their knowledge about education.

Thank you so much, as always, for reading until the very end!

Tomorrow's article will be

a look back at 2023

.

I will write an article that expresses gratitude for being able to safely reach the end of 2023 and reflects on the year to help make the start of 2024 shine.

Please look forward to it 🎵

May today and tomorrow be wonderful days for all of you 😊

Starting December 1, 2023, we launched a jointly operated magazine.

It has only been a short time since we started, but many people have already joined us!

Due to the magazine's specifications, membership is limited to 100 people.

Shall we join hands and grow together?

If you would like to participate, please feel free to comment on the article above 🎵

📘 This week's LIBRARY lineup 📗

(2023.12.25–12.31)

[Monday]
The science of laughter! The laws of creating "laughter" to smooth out human relationships
[Tuesday]
A company created by aliens: What are the services born from otherworldly ideas?
[Wednesday]
Your body is your greatest asset! 7 health practices to implement while you are young (partially paid)
[Thursday]
What is the essence of praise? 10 acknowledgment techniques from coaching
[Friday]
Let's polish our "aesthetic sense"! What are the benefits of refining "beauty"?
[Saturday]
Tomorrow is finally New Year's Eve! The "Zodiac Lesson" you should take precisely because it's the end of the year
[Sunday]
Looking back on 2023