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First learning (a little nervous, a little excited)

Where every child's learning begins — anyone-can-use maps and videos that open the world with wonder.

Grade Level
Resource Type
49 resources

NHK for School (Social Studies)

Grasp the "big picture" and "ways of seeing" in 3–10 minutes. Easy to spin off inquiry questions.

After watching, jot down "3 terms / 1 key point / 1 question" → decide the next word to look up
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryOfficial Video

Google Maps

The standard map service that lets you cut across maps, routes, Street View, and reviews worldwide. With Gemini AI–powered "Ask Maps" you can do natural conversational searches, and the 3D immersive navigation lets you confirm a route with on-site feel. A starting point for places, facilities, and traffic — usable at any age.

Search a town you know → walk around in Street View → try "what did this place look like long ago?" by overlaying the GSI Map or old maps
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolUniversityResearcher
MapStatisticsOverview
Kids' EntryMultilingual

GSI Map (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

Layer topographic maps, aerial photos, elevation, and disaster information to read the "why of place".

Toggle layers → write 1 noticing → confirm a landform term (terrace, alluvial fan, etc.) as evidence
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolUniversityResearcher
MapStatistics
GISOpen Data

GSI Kids

Quickly strengthen the foundations of geography inquiry: bearings, scales, map symbols.

Change the scale and verbalize the difference in visible information → confirm the same place on the GSI Map
ElementaryMiddle School
OverviewMap
Kids' EntryGIS

Kids Stat

An entry that makes statistics "not scary". A first step in reading numbers.

Translate the graph into words like "increase/decrease/share" → form one "why?"
ElementaryMiddle School
OverviewStatistics
Kids' EntryOpen Data

Kahaku Channel (Official, National Museum of Nature and Science)

Learn ways to see natural history and science from real examples of exhibits and research.

Define terms → set 3 observation points → memo while asking "what is the evidence?"
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolUniversity
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceOfficial Video

JMA Hareru Land (Kids' Weather Portal)

The official kids' portal starring JMA mascot 'Harerūn'. Entry point for weather and meteorology.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
OverviewGlossary
Kids' EntryEarth Science

JMA — Ask Harerūn (Animated Weather Series)

Animated series introducing JMA's work and the science behind weather.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
Elementary
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryEarth ScienceOfficial Video

JMA — 'Work of the Meteorological Agency' Pamphlet

Official JMA pamphlet explaining the role and work of Japan's meteorological agency.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
Overview
Kids' EntryDisaster

Kyoiku Shuppan Web Encyclopedia

An illustrated web encyclopedia from an educational publisher covering science and nature.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
OverviewGlossary
Kids' EntryEarth Science

JAXA Space Education Center

Programs and content for young children and elementary students, organized by theme.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
VideoOverviewLesson Plans
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceOfficial Video

JAXA fanfun! (Space Fun for Kids)

JAXA's fun entry point: space exploration news, games, and activities for young learners.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle School
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceOfficial Video

JAMSTEC for Students

Elementary-to-high-school content from Japan's ocean research and development agency.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceOfficial Video

NIPR — Polar Science at Home

Activities of the National Institute of Polar Research, Science Museum exhibits, and aurora footage.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle School
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceOfficial Video

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Video content, research data, and educational materials from Japan's national astronomy research center.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
VideoOverviewStatistics
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceOfficial Video

MEXT — Learning Support Site for Children

The Ministry of Education's learning support portal for children, organized by subject.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
Overview
Kids' Entry

MOFA Kids (Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Children)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' kids' site: learn, research, and play with countries of the world.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle School
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryOfficial Video

MAFF Kids Page (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries explained for children — official Ministry portal.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
Overview
Kids' Entry

Japan Coast Guard — Kids' Corner

Kids' videos and explanations from Japan's Coast Guard on maritime safety.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
Elementary
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryDisasterOfficial Video

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department — Kids Koban

Child-friendly explanations of traffic safety, crime prevention, and community policing.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
Overview
Kids' EntryDisaster

National Police Agency — Kids Page

The NPA's kids page covering safety, traffic rules, and police work for children.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
Overview
Kids' EntryDisaster

Ministry of Defense — Kids Site

Video content and explanations of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, made accessible for children.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle School
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryOfficial Video

Ministry of Justice — Kids' Room

The Ministry of Justice's children's portal on laws, courts, human rights, and immigration.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
Overview
Kids' Entry

Library of Congress Kids

Kids and family portal of the US Library of Congress.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
OverviewPrimary SourceInternational
Kids' EntryEnglish

NASA Space Place

NASA's official kids' site for upper elementary: space and Earth science.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
Elementary
VideoOverviewInternational
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceEnglishMultilingualOfficial Video

NASA Climate Kids

Learn about climate change through games and animations — NASA's official kids' site.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
Elementary
VideoOverviewInternational
Kids' EntryEarth ScienceEnglish

NASA Kids' Club

NASA's official kids' club: games, activities, and content about space and Earth science.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
OverviewLesson PlansInternational
Kids' EntryEnglish

National Geographic Kids

Children's media to explore countries, animals, nature, and peoples of the world.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
Elementary
VideoOverviewInternational
Kids' EntryOfficial VideoEnglish

Britannica Kids

Encyclopaedia Britannica's kid-friendly portal — reliable reference for school research.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
OverviewGlossaryInternational
Kids' EntryEnglish

BBC Bitesize

BBC's curriculum-aligned learning platform with video explanations and quizzes for UK school subjects.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
VideoOverviewInternational
Kids' EntryOfficial VideoEnglish

DK Find Out!

DK's richly illustrated kids' encyclopedia covering science, history, nature, and space.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
OverviewInternational
Kids' EntryEnglish

UNICEF Kids & Teachers Square

Children's rights, SDGs, videos, quizzes, and research content in multiple languages.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle School
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryMultilingualOfficial Video

Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Notebook — Elementary Edition

Tokyo's official disaster preparedness workbook for elementary school students.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
OverviewLesson Plans
Kids' EntryDisaster

Itsumoshimo with Kids (Disaster Prep for Families)

Family-focused disaster preparedness content — easy first steps for children and guardians.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
Overview
Kids' EntryDisaster

Seterra (GeoGuessr Learn)

400+ geography quizzes covering countries, capitals, flags, oceans, and lakes.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
OverviewInternational
Kids' EntryMultilingualEnglish

Gapminder

World changes since 1800 and Dollar Street: what life looks like sorted by income level.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
StatisticsVideoInternational
Kids' EntryEnglishOfficial Video

Flightradar24

Real-time global flight tracking — see aircraft positions, routes, and flight data live.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
MapInternational
Kids' EntryAPI Available

MarineTraffic

Real-time global vessel tracking using AIS data — ships, ferries, and cargo.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
MapInternational
Kids' EntryAPI Available

National Theatre — Kids Heart Site

Traditional Japanese performing arts — kabuki, noh, bunraku — explained for children with video.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle School
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryCultural HeritageOfficial Video

Scratch (MIT Media Lab)

MIT Media Lab's free visual programming platform for ages 8–16.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
OverviewInternational
Kids' EntryMultilingual

Scratch — Earthquake Simulation Collection (soutakami)

Community-built Scratch projects simulating earthquakes and disaster scenarios for learning.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
Overview
Kids' EntryDisaster

Scratch Studio — 'Prepare for Earthquake and Tsunami!!'

Curated Scratch studio with student-made disaster-preparedness simulations.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
Overview
Kids' EntryDisaster

Scratch Studio — 'Disaster Info & Earthquake Materials'

Scratch studio with community-created disaster information and earthquake educational materials.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
Overview
Kids' EntryDisaster

Code.org

Kids' coding with Minecraft, Frozen, and more — game-based introduction to programming.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle School
VideoOverviewInternational
Kids' EntryMultilingualOfficial Video

Minecraft Education — Hour of Code

Minecraft's Hour of Code activities for introducing programming concepts to beginners.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
ElementaryMiddle School
VideoOverviewInternational
Kids' EntryOfficial Video

TurboWarp (Scratch Compiler)

A faster, mod-friendly Scratch compiler — run and share Scratch projects at higher speed.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
Overview
Kids' Entry

ScratchEd (Harvard Graduate School of Education)

Scratch educator community operated by the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
OverviewLesson PlansInternational
Kids' EntryEnglish

Free Read-Aloud Picture Book — Japanese Mythology (Jimmu Tosei)

A free digital picture book with read-aloud narration of Japanese mythology — the Jimmu Tosei legend.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Elementary
OverviewPrimary Source
Kids' EntryCultural Heritage

International Library of Children's Literature (NDL)

Japan's national library for children's literature — rare and historical children's books from Japan and abroad.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
ElementaryMiddle School
OverviewPrimary Source
Kids' EntryCultural Heritage