Japanese Koinobori Windsock on a Cherry Blossom Branch

The month of May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. In Japan, Kodomo no hi, or “Children’s Day,” is celebrated every year on May 5. It is a day set aside to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness. Koinobori, or cloth carp streamers, are flown on poles outside of public buildings and private houses to bring luck and good fortune to the children inside. In Japanese culture, the carp symbolizes courage and strength because of its ability to swim up a waterfall. The children will create and hang their own colorful carp-shaped koinobori flags from a cherry blossom branch and watch as their tails fly in the air. A learning objective, subject summary and application in real life, materials needed for each student and the step by step directions needed to create this lesson are all detailed in each of my lesson plans.