What is the Sakura Medal?

• The Sakura Medal is a reading program designed  to encourage reading and enjoyment of good quality books. It was initiated in the 2005-2006 school year for students in participating International Schools across Japan. Students read books from short lists prepared by library media specialists in the participating schools and voted in April 2006 for a winner. The winning author received the Sakura medal and a diploma containing a certificate and a piece of original art. There was a student art competition for the design of the diploma art.
   

• The participating schools in 2007-2008 are
  
   

  1. British School in Tokyo (BST, Tokyo)
  2. Canadian Academy (CA, Kobe)
  3. K International School
  4. Nagoya International School (NIS, Nagoya)
  5. Nishimachi International School (NIS,Tokyo)
  6. Osaka International School (OIS, Osaka)
  7. Seisen International School (Tokyo)
  8. St Maur International School
  9. St. Mary’s International School (Tokyo)
  10. The American School in Japan (ASIJ, Tokyo)
  11. The Canadian International School (Shinagawa, Tokyo)
  12. The Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ, Tokyo)
  13. The French School
  14. The Hokkaido International School
  15. The International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH, Tokyo)
  16. The Montessori School
  17. Tokyo International School
  18. Yokohama International School (YIS,Yokohama)

   

• There are six separate categories: Picture Books, Japanese Picture Books, Upper Elementary Level Chapter Books, Middle School Books,  High School Books and Japanese Language Middle and High School Books.  
   

• The most important aspect of this program is that it encourages students to read quality books for fun.  Although designed and initiated by teacher-librarians, this program is intended to involve all participants in the educational community: classroom teachers, administrators, librarians, and of course parents.   
   

•  Take a look at our Voicethread sites. Each school has an account and can post.
    The Japanese Sakura Voicethread has plenty of comments from ASIJ students.