Japan’s

Cat Islands

Created by 2 Peas and a Dog

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Japan’s cat
islands

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 Lesson Plan
Japan’s Cat Islands
Lesson Overview:
Students will work on their non-fiction reading skills while reading this article.

Materials Needed:
Photocopy a class set of the following or use the provided Google Slides version
for 1:1 technology schools:
▪ K-W-L Chart
▪ Non-Fiction Article
▪ Comprehension Questions
▪ Thinking Questions
▪ Grammar Questions
▪ Video #1: Japan's Cat Island - BBC News
▪ Video #2: How One Woman Saved the Cats on Japan’s Cat Island

Teacher Instructions:
1. Ask students complete columns 1 and 2 of the K-W-L chart.
2. Then, show these videos: Japan's Cat Island - BBC News and How One
Woman Saved the Cats on Japan’s Cat Island.
3. Have students read the article independently or using the audio file.
4. After, have students complete the comprehension questions.
5. Collect the comprehension questions to grade once students have
completed them.
6. Give students time to complete the long answer thinking question. Two
options have been provided to assist with differentiation.
7. Collect to assess once complete.
8. Have students work with their seat partners to complete the final K-W-L
column.

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 K-W-L Chart
Topic:
K W L
What new things did I
What do I already What do I want to
learn about this topic
know about this topic? know about this topic?
from the article?

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 JAPAN’S CAT ISLANDS
A key attraction in Japan is Mount
Map of Japan
Fuji, the country's highest mountain.
It has inspired countless artists,
poets, and painters for generations.
Japan has a rich culture and
heritage, and visitors would surely
find things to see and do when they
visit.
For cat lovers, Japan has a lot to
offer. Imagine going to an island
with more cats than human When the sardine supplies got
residents. Yes, Japan has several depleted, many residents eventually
islands famous for their large cat left the island, leaving only a few
populations and are popularly known elderly inhabitants.
as the "Cat Islands." There are
Aoshima is home to only 15 - 20
several “Cat Islands” in Japan, and
human residents and more than
we will discuss some of them in this
120 cats which is almost a 6:1 cat-
article.
to-human ratio. Many cats on the
Aoshima Island island have been neutered or spayed
Aoshima, which is also popularly to control their population.
known as Cat Island, is famous for
Tourists can visit Aoshima Island via
its sizable feline population. The cats
ferry, which has two round trips a
were introduced to the area by
day. Since it is not your typical
fishermen to combat their rodent
tourist location, there are no hotels,
problem. But, the cat reproduced in
restaurants, vending machines, or
large numbers.
cars on the island.
The island became a fishing village
However, a cat feeding area is
of around 900 people in the 1940s
located at the back of the Aoshima
due to its rich sardine fishing
Shrine a few minutes from the
grounds.
port to cater to foreigners who
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want to feed the feline residents.
 Japan’s Cat islands
Tashirojima Island
Tashirojima is another popular cat
island. It is home to several
hundred cats who outnumber
around 100 human residents to a
ratio of almost 4:1.
Unlike the other cat islands, which
relied solely on fishing for their
livelihood, Tashirojima Island
residents also produced silk from Cats are a very popular animal.
silkworms they raised on the island.
Visitors are asked to take home
The introduction of cats helped their garbage and not leave any
control the mice populations which trash on the island.
were attracted to the island's
Enoshima Island
silkworm mills.
Enoshima is much easier to access
The residents also believed that compared to Tashirojima and
feeding the cats can bring good Aoshima Islands since it's closer to
fortune and wealth. They even built Tokyo. Enoshima Island is more
a cat shrine devoted to a cat that touristy than other cat islands and
died due to a falling rock. is often busy with tourists during
the weekends.
The cats like the attention given to
them by tourists who play and take The island is also famous for its
their photographs. There is a resort large cat population. There are
on the southern part of the island plenty of opportunities for cat
that features cat-shaped cottages lovers to mingle, sit down, and relax
and cat-themed artwork. with the island's feline residents. It
is around a 90-minute train ride
Aside from the resort, there are
from Tokyo.
not many tourist facilities, like
restaurants and little shops, on the Cat lovers need to add these islands
island. to their vacation bucket list.
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 Article Questions /6
Name: ______________________
Instructions: Circle the correct answer.

1. What is the central/main idea of the passage?

❑ The passage is describing the rich culture and heritage of Japan.

❑ The passage is describing the many different places a tourist can visit in Japan.
❑ The passage is describing the islands of Japan called the Cat Islands.
❑ The passage is a historical retelling of Japan’s history.
2. What do all three islands have in common?
❑ Tourist attractions
❑ Large fishing area
❑ People have refused to live there.
❑ Large cat populations
3. Based on the passage, what caused a decline in the human population on Aoshima Island?
❑ A depletion of sardines
❑ Not enough land for homes
❑ Too many cats
❑ Not enough tourists visiting the island

4. On the island of Tashirojima, what was the purpose of introducing the cat population?
❑ To keep the residents happy
❑ To attract visitors to the island
❑ To keep the mice away from the silkworms
❑ To bring money to the island
5. What is the meaning behind feeding the cats on Tashirojima Island?
❑ Wealth and good fortune
❑ Happy residents
❑ Happy visitors
❑ Keep away bad luck
6. The ____________ has opportunities for cat lovers and is a 90-minute train ride to Tokyo.
❑ Tokyo Island
❑ Enoshima Island
❑ Tashirojima Island
❑ Aoshima Island

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 Answer Key
Instructions: Circle the correct answer.

1. What is the central/main idea of the passage?

❑ The passage is describing the rich culture and heritage of Japan.

❑ The passage is describing the many different places a tourist can visit in Japan.
❑ The passage is describing the islands of Japan called the Cat Islands.
❑ The passage is a historical retelling of Japan’s history.
2. What do all three islands have in common?
❑ Tourist attractions
❑ Large fishing area
❑ People have refused to live there
❑ Large cat populations
3. Based on the passage, what caused a decline in the human population on Aoshima Island
❑ A depletion of sardines
❑ Not enough land for homes
❑ Too many cats
❑ Not enough tourists visiting the island

4. On the island of Tashirojima, what was the purpose of introducing the cat population?
❑ To keep the residents happy
❑ To attract visitors to the island
❑ To keep the mice away from the silkworms
❑ To bring money to the island
5. What is the meaning behind feeding the cats on Tashirojima Island?
❑ Wealth and good fortune
❑ Happy residents
❑ Happy visitors
❑ Keep away bad luck
6. The ____________ has opportunities for cat lovers and is a 90-minute train ride to Tokyo.
❑ Tokyo Island
❑ Enoshima Island
❑ Tashirojima Island
❑ Aoshima Island

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 Thinking Question
The article’s author describes the activities and sights that a
visitor would enjoy. What specific details does the author use to
convey this idea?
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 Thinking Question
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 Thinking Question
Below Meets Above
Assessment Expectations Expectations Expectations

- +
Would you like to visit these islands?
Explain your thoughts.
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 Thinking Question
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 Sample Answers
Assessment Below Meets Above
Expectations Expectations Expectations

- +

Answers will vary based on student experiences.

Read more about this check grading system here:
https://2peasandadog.com/2014/05/quickassessmenttips.html
Sample Grading Guidelines
Below Expectations
▪ Explains only 1 idea in minimal detail
▪ Fills up about 1/4 of the page
▪ Minimal thought put into the answer
Meets Expectations
▪ Discusses 2 ideas in some detail
▪ Fills up most of the page
▪ Thought put into answer
Above Expectations
▪ Discusses 2 or more ideas in lots of detail
▪ Fills up the first page and onto the second page
▪ Lots of insight shown in answer
▪ Makes connections to other texts, self, world and media

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