Curated OER
What Would You Do?
Young scholars study major religions and determine how and why an individual who held each of these beliefs would respond to a similar crisis.
Curated OER
Hana Matsuri (Buddha's Birthday)
Learners write a haiku about the Hana Matsuri, then write a letter to a Japanese pen pal asking them about their experiences at the Hana Matsuri.
Curated OER
The Daoist Immortals
Learners discover the basic principles and beliefs of Daoism through investigation and in-class discussion in this High School lesson for a Social Studies, Humanities, or Asian Studies class.
Curated OER
"For The Birds" [part II]
Students examine how Chinese and Japanese artists used different kinds of birds
as representations of ideas that were important in both cultures and create their own birds using the technique of origami.
Curated OER
Great Religions of China
Learners describe the belief and practices of the three major religions of China. Using primary source documents, they compare and contrast the three religions and present their findings to the class in the form on a PowerPoint...
Curated OER
The Golden Rule of Reciprocity
Students explore The Golden Rule of Reciprocity from various religions. In this religious beliefs lesson, students examine various religious quotes and summarize the idea of The Golden Rule in a sentence.
Curated OER
Tai Chi
Students explore the concept of yin and yang. In this Tai Chi lesson plan, students create a working definition of yin and yang as they read about its role in Eastern philosophy. Students also discuss the relationship between opposites.
Curated OER
How Have World Religions Shaped Who I Am Today?
Students discuss the different religions that make up the world today. They complete an interest inventory about their belief systems and the influence it has had on their lives. In groups of two, then four, then eight they discuss...
Curated OER
Guidelines for Governing: Utopia and The Prince
Students explore the power of the Church in government. In this literature lesson, students read Sir Thomas More's Utopia and Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. Students respond to questions regarding the works and discuss them.
Curated OER
Writing Ghost Stories Using Encounter With a Skull As a Model
Students explore the elements of a ghost story and cautionary tales. The story, "Encounter With a Skull" is read and used as a model for their own story creations. The values and belief systems of various cultures are examined.
Curated OER
Belief Systems of the Silk Roads
Students review, compare, and contrast belief systems of the Silk Roads. They analyze primary texts of sacred and philosophical writings. Finally, students recognize the rich diversity of belief systems along the Silk Roads.
Curated OER
Religions and Mentors: Making Cultural Comparisons
Students compare the Tirthankara of Jain religious stories and compare it to mentors who appear throughout Western stories. Studentsl create a narrative or a portrait in honor of a mentor of his or her own.
Curated OER
Creating a Place of Contemplation Based on Hindu Temple Architecture
Students study the architecture and decoration of Hindu temples, compare them with, and apply them to, a place of contemplation they will design for themselves.
Curated OER
Geography of Early China
Students research and identify the primary geographic features of China. They investigate which features isolated China, and identify the significance of the Hwang River to Early Chinese civilizations. Finally, they research the Silk...
Curated OER
Zhou Dynasty
Students research the contributions of the Zho Dynasty. They identify the Mandate of Heaven, and the growth of the economy under the Zhou. They research the history of the discovery of silk and its role as an export. Finally, they...
City University of New York
Chinese Cultural Studies: The Spirits of Chinese Religion, by Stephen F. Teiser
A detailed look at Chinese religion, organized into the following sections: "Confucianism," "Daoism," "Buddhism," "The Problem with Popular Religion," "Kinship and Bureaucracy," and "The Spirits of Chinese Religion."
PBS
Pbs: Korea Religion
This site from PBS explains the various religions of South Korea including Buddhism, Christianity, and Confucianism.
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Ancient Chinese Religion
Overview referencing the religion of ancient China, including notes on Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: Global Studies: China: The Age of the Philosophers Quiz (2)
Test your knowledge of Chinese philosophy, including concepts of Buddhism, Confucianism, Legalism and Taoism with this interactive quiz.
San Jose State University
San Jose State University: Sacrifices
This virtual exhibition project discusses many aspects of ancient Chinese history, including ancestral worship, weaponry, sacrifice, the Shang Dynasty, gods, the Chou Dynasty, burials, Emperor Shihuangdi, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: World Belief Systems
A teacher-compiled site for students taking the high school Regents Examination in New York. Site offers exam preparation materials for nine world religions--animism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism,...
Other
Japan guide.com: Religion in Japan
Provides links to information on the two primary religions of Japan--Shintoism and Buddhism--and to its various minority religions, including Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam. Includes useful facts about Japanese wedding practices,...
Other
Knowledge of China: Universal Guide for Chinese Studies
A very comprehensive website about China, including history (from ancient to modern), arts (architecture, handicraft, living etc.), philosophy (daoism, confucianism, buddhism etc) and literature.
Library of Congress
Loc: Country Studies: Japan [Pdf]
A wonderful resource on Japan can be found here. It provides an in-depth study of the history of the country, their society and culture, education and arts, economy, relations with other nations, politics, national security, and much...