Friendship Dolls
Classroom Experiences

	Three Students Display Their Origami Creations

The following links give information about programs put on by American schools to learn about Japanese culture and history.

• Friendship Exchange Between Japanese and American Children - Second-grade class in Virginia Beach exchanges letters, artwork, and a culture box with school in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.

• Japanese Friendship Dolls Help Teach Students About Japan - On February 16, 2001, Henry Barnard School students celebrated Friendship Day, with an emphasis on friendship with Japan. The first graders wrote a collaborative story about Friendship Day.

• Wonderful Box of "Goodies" from Japan - Two Japanese dolls and other "goodies" from Japan encourage students to learn about Japan. Photo of Friendship Dolls' bulletin board and display.

• Japanese culture brought home to students - Fourth graders learn about Japanese culture from a group of visiting teachers, Japanese souvenirs, and 73-year-old doll.

• Friendship Dolls Coming to Chester - Students made many types of Japanese arts and crafts. Also formed traveling storytelling group in the tradition of Japanese storytellers.

• Japan, a Year of Discovery and New Understandings at Orchard Prairie School - Yearlong study of Japanese culture at small elementary school in Spokane, Washington.

• Planting Seeds of Friendship - School that received two dolls from Japan had lessons on Japanese doll making, clothes, houses, and food. Watched two videos about Friendship Dolls.

The links below describe Friendship Doll educational activities in Japanese schools:

• Hirobuchi Elementary School - Third graders hear story of Blue-eyed Doll at Hirobuchi Kindergarten.

• Aioi Elementary School - Children learn about international cultural exchange and peace through the Friendship Dolls. The students enjoy sending e-mail messages and exchanging letters, pictures, and calligraphy with children at elementary school in North Carolina.

• Mikkabi Nishi Elementary School - Students do research about the historical background of the Blue-eyed Dolls and about World War II by using the Internet and other methods.

• Hongo Nishi Elementary School - "Blue-eyed Doll Panel Exhibition" put together by students.