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Handout
PBS

P.o.v.: The Japanese Concept of "Wa"

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of a larger P.O.V. site about high-school-level baseball in Japan, this page delves into the meaning of "wa," a code of behavior that underscores the Japanese sense of group harmony, especially as it applies to the team sport of...
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: East Asia

For Students 9th - 10th
The complex and powerful states, dynasties, and civilizations that emerged in East Asia were strongly influenced by the environments in which they prospered. This article discusses the geographic features of China, Korea, and Japan.
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Website
BBC

Bbc: Cbbc Newsround: Asia Earthquake Disaster

For Students 9th - 10th
Diaries, pictures, guides, quizzes, and news about the Asian tsunami one year after it hit.
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Website
Columbia University

Asia for Educators: Medieval Japan Multimedia Unit

For Students 9th - 10th
This unit from the extensive Asia for Educator's site provides audio, video and lecture materials from well-credentialed Asian studies professors to explore Japan's medieval period, from 1000-1500 A.D. Topics include the Samurai,...
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Unit Plan
Columbia University

Asia for Educators: Contemporary Japan: Culture and Society

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive site on the culture and society of contemporary Japan, with video resources for learning about urban and rural life, the Japanese family, education and work, Japanese identity, the pop culture of Japan, and traditional...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Can You Haiku?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Informative lesson for students concerning the writers, descriptions, and characteristics of the haiku. Also allows students to create their own original haiku.
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Politics and Policy in Contemporary Japan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This collection of readings introduces the politics and policy process of contemporary Japan.
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Politics and Policy in Contemporary Japan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This collection of readings introduces the politics and policy process of contemporary Japan.
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Japanese Politics and Society

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Presenting an overview of the history of Japan explore the optional enhancements provided by MIT.
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Japanese Politics and Society

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Presenting an overview of the history of Japan explore the optional enhancements provided by MIT.
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: East Asia in the World

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Drawing attention to relationships between East Asian countries and the rest of the world enhance lessons by introducing some of the resources mentioned.
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: East Asia in the World

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Drawing attention to relationships between East Asian countries and the rest of the world enhance lessons by introducing some of the resources mentioned.
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Poetry 180: Tour

For Students 9th - 10th
This short two-stanza poem implies the importance of looking at things in two different ways.
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Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Ken

For Students 9th - 10th
This video segment from Wide Angle features Ken, a third grade student in Japan.
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Website
Yale University

Yale Peabody Museum: Hina Matsuri: The Doll Festival

For Students 9th - 10th
A slideshow of fifteen porcelain Japanese dolls at the Peabody Museum. You can see the dolls and learn about Hina Matsuri, the traditional doll festival that displays them.
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Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Timeline: Pearl Harbor: 1600s 1853: Black Ships Open Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
An easy-to-understand site on the opening of Japan to the West via Commodore Perry and and the intimidating Black Ships.
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Unknown Type
Lizard Point Quizzes

Lizard Point: Japan: Prefectures Quiz

For Students 9th - 10th
Try this interactive geography quiz which tests your knowledge about the prefectures in Japan.
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Website
Buddha Dharma Education Association

Buddha Net: Mahayana Buddhism

For Students 9th - 10th
A Buddhanet page with links to information on the different countries where the practice of Mahayana Buddhism is practices, namely Tibet, China, Nepal, Vietnam, Japan, and Indonesia.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Japanese Literature

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia provides detailed information on the history, forms, and authors of Japanese literature. Includes external links and hyperlinked terms.
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Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
The Encyclopedia of Earth provides an overview of Japan, including its geography, natural resources, history, government, economy, and much more. Maps and images are also included, along with sources used to create the entry.
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Activity
PBS

Nova Online: Japan's Secret Garden

For Students 3rd - 8th
Explore a year in the life of the people and wildlife around Lake Biwa in Japan. Study hibernation, rice cultivation, and the metamorphosis of insects in the area.
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Website
Globe Tracks

Travel for Kids: Fun Things to Do in Japan

For Students 3rd - 5th
"Kids already know a little about Japan if they collect Pokemon cards or buy Hello Kitty. Japan may seem very "modern," but it has a long history of tradition deeply embedded in everyday life." This site explores the geography and...
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Lesson Plan
American Forum for Global Education

American Forum for Global Education: Haiku as a Cultural Icon

For Teachers 9th - 10th
These detailed lesson plans let students research about Shiki and Haiku, compose on their own poetry, and learn about Japanese culture.
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Website
Other

Women in World History Curriculum/murasaki Shikibu

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a biography of Murasaki Shikibu, the writer of The Tale of Genji.