Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies · Worksheet 1
Read the story. 英文を読もう。
1In Japan, spring is the season of new starts. Students graduate in March and start a new school year in early April. At the entrance ceremony, families take photos under the cherry blossoms. Many people think school starts in April because of the flowers. But the real reason is about money.
2In the 1870s, Japanese universities started in September, like schools in Europe. Then, in 1886, the government changed its money year. The new year for money started in April. Farmers paid taxes after they sold their rice in the fall, so the government needed time. Schools used government money, so they started in April, too. Some people say the army was another reason. Young men had to sign up for the army in April. Schools did not want to lose their best students.
3Slowly, more and more schools moved to April. Elementary schools followed by 1900. The big universities were the last to change, in 1921. Today, schools, companies, and city offices all start their year in April.
4Most countries start school in September, but not all. South Korea starts in March, and India often starts in April, like Japan. In 2020, Japan talked about moving to September. But many people said it was too difficult to change so quickly. So for now, Japanese students still say goodbye in March and hello in April.
Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies · Worksheet 2
Choose the best answer. 正しいものを選ぼう。
What is the passage mainly about?
When did Japanese universities start their year in the 1870s?
Why did the government need time before April?
In paragraph 3, the big universities were the last to change. What does this mean?
Why does Lucas say it's not very romantic?
Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies · Worksheet 3
Words & phrases. 単語のれんしゅう。
Emma's First Day
Emma is from (1) . In her country, school starts in (2) . But in Japan, it starts in (3) . On the first day, there is an (4) ceremony. The cherry (5) are pink and pretty. Emma takes a (6) with her new friends at the school (7) . She is happy to start a new (8) .
Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies · Worksheet 4
Read the clues and fill in the puzzle. ヒントを読んで、クロスワードを完成させよう。
Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies · Worksheet 5
Find the hidden words. かくれた単語を探そう（→ ↓ ↘ ↗）。
Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies · Worksheet 6
Collect the letters on the right path. What is the secret word? 正しい道の文字を集めると、ひみつの言葉になるよ。
Secret word:
Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies · Worksheet 7
I think the school year should start in ______ because ______.
At my graduation, I want to say "thank you" to ______ because ______.
Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies · Worksheet 8
Trace the words. Then color the picture! なぞって書こう。絵に色を塗ろう。
Draw your Graduation & Entrance Ceremonies! 卒業式と入学式（日本の4月スタート）の絵を描こう。