少子化+WebQuest+Activity

** 少子化 **
 * WebQuest Activity for 日本語３０２**

l Introduction| Questions | Tasks | Procedures and Resources | Evaluation| Conclusion l  **Introduction** Shoshika is a serious social issue in Japan now. There are several reasons why the birth rate started to decline. The Shoshika epidemic poses serious socioeconomic problems. In this lesson, you will research, analyze and understand the issues and finally evaluate the current policies and propose possible solutions.

 **Questions**


 * What was the birth rate in 2008?
 * Which year holds the highest birth rate?
 * What are the factors of the current lower birth rate?　(What causes Shoshika problems?)
 * What kind of problems are caused by Shoshika?
 * What kind of national and local governmental policies are proposed/ implemented?

** Tasks ** You will research causes of the Shoshika issues and current policies. You will also research other social issues caused by Shoshika. At the end of the lesson, you will post your findings and possible solutions on Wiki and share them with your classmates.

**Procedures and Resources**  **Step 1** Read the following sites and do the tasks below to deepen your knowledge/ understanding about Shoshika with **your partner**.

 1. 2008年の出生率はいくつでしたか.  2．出生率が一番高かったのは、何年でしたか. [] 3．少子化の原因は何ですか.  4．少子化によってどんな問題が起こりますか. [] <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; padding-right: 10px;"> Japan Times <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; padding-right: 10px;"> BBC News 5. 国や自治体の少子化対策には、どのようなものがありますか. [] [] []

<span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">**Step 2**

<span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;"> **<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">単語（キーワード） **

<span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">**Step 3** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Form a group with four or five students. Discuss with your group members and then present in the class.

少子化問題を解決するために、皆さんはどんなことを提案しますか. What do you suggest to solve Shoshika problems?

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Record the summary of the issues and your personal opinions using Voki. Speak at least 10 sentences. Post Voki on your group/personal Wiki page.
 * Homework**:

<span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">**Evaluation** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Complete of assignment (Step 1: 1-6 and Step 2) and knowledge gained

3 || Good 2 || Satisfactory 1 || Score || group discussion and posted on the Wiki. || Most of the time, team members participated in group discussion and posted on the Wiki. || Group members participated in group discussion and posted on the Wiki, but a little more cooperation and collaboration was needed. ||  ||
 * || Excellent
 * Completion || Completed all of the 6 questions in Step 1. || Completed 5 questions in Step 1. || Completed fewer than 5 questions in Step 1. ||  ||
 * Knowledge gained || Can answer accurately all questions related to facts. || Can answer accurately almost all questions related to facts. || Can answer accurately most questions related to facts. ||  ||
 * Cooperation and collaboration || All group members actively participated in
 * TOTAL || /9 ||

<span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">**Conclusion** Japan has faced the critical social issue - Shoshika. The Japanese birthrate started to decline since the 1980s, after 2nd baby boom. Current birthrate is as low as 1.37 and local and national governments have tried to establish policies to solve issues relating to Shoshika. There are several causes that have been affecting Shoshika. One of the possible factors is that recently couples do not marry at a young age and do not immediately have children when they marry. The Japanese life style has been changed and there are women who chose career instead of getting married and having children. Some couples are facing the fact that because of current financial situation young couples cannot afford to have children. Due to Shoshika, it is difficult to maintain welfare, provide social security benefits and guarantee economic growth. Therefore, we need to take this problem seriously and seek for solutions toward raising the birthrate.