Soroban, the Japanese abacus, provides a visual and tangible tool which helps students with place value and understanding the decimal system. It can be used to: practice number bonds; show why we carry/exchange numbers; consolidate arithmetic skills; and improve concentration. This 5 lesson unit of work introduces KS1/KS2 students to the soroban; in addition to the above they will learn how to read numbers of any size and to perform simple calculations. The Japan Society has [soroban loans] available for schools to borrow (free of charge, postage costs may apply) to support the teaching of this unit. An editable version of the PPTs are available on request - contact education@japansociety.org.uk. More resources related to Japanese culture are available from The Japan Society website.

This lesson brings Japanese culture into the maths classroom, allowing students to learn about the history and significance of three Japanese patterns (ichimatsu, uroko, and kikko) as they explore the properties of shapes and draw their own tessellations. Designed for Upper KS2 and Lower KS3, the lesson introduces the concept of polygons and can be easily adapted by focusing on the tasks most suited to your students’ level. Extension activity ideas are also included. An editable version of the PPTs are available on request - contact education@japansociety.org.uk. More resources related to Japanese culture are available from The Japan Society website.

As well as a creative artform, origami can be a source of practical mathematics. The lesson is designed to encourage students to apply some mathematical concepts and problem solving to origami. Students will learn about an aspect of Japanese culture as they make three simple models to explore angles and lengths, fractions, and more! A presentation and instructions are included. Resources are available for both Upper KS2 or Lower KS3. An editable version of the PPTs are available on request - contact education@japansociety.org.uk. More resources related to Japanese culture are available from The Japan Society website.