Curated OER
Winter Celebrations
Students draw and label pictures about holiday customs and traditions from their countries.
Curated OER
Where Is Japan? How Are We Alike And Different?
First graders use literature, maps, and globes to explain how physical environments in various parts of the world are similar to and different from one's own, and that certain areas have common characteristics and can be called regions.
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A Pentatonic Scale Activity
The famous Japanese tune, "Cherry Blooms" was composed using a pentatonic scale. Budding musicians explore the nature and theory behind the pentatonic scale as well as the East Asian music it is commonly used in. Multiple extensions are...
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Korea Lesson Plan
Sixth graders research the history and development of Korea as a culture and nation. This lesson plan is unique in that the focus is upon the neighboring countries of China and Japan in order to see their contributions to Korean society.
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Artifacts: What Am I?
Learners practice simple Japanese expressions. They explore the information available from artifacts. Groups of students attempt to figure out other groups culture by examining a series of artifacts in a paper bag.
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NCTA Lesson Plan on Korea
Students are introduced to the unique aspects of the Korean culture. Using the websites included in the lesson they research categories of subjects that are related to the culture.
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What Masks Reveal
Students explore the cultural significance of masks by investigating the role they play in ceremonies and on special occasions in societies from widely separated regions of the world.
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Confronting World Stereotypes
Learners examine pervasive worldwide stereotypes through role play. They are placed in the role of someone from a different ethnic background. After interacting with groups of students in their new role, stereotyped learners write a...
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Japan's Economic Miracle
Middle schoolers brainstorm a list of characteristics a person would need to make a good employee. In groups, they describe the attributes a person would need in various occupations and share their answers with the class. They discover...
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What's In a Name?
Students explore the relationship between names and certain cultures and locations. For this identity lesson, students create family migration or immigration maps. Students read excerpts from When My Name was Keoko and Lost Names: Scenes...
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Introduction to China
Compare and contrast the distinctive characteristics of art forms from various cultural, historical, and social contexts, and describe how the same subject matter is represented differently in works of art across cultures and time...
Japan Society
The Bubble Economy and the Lost Decade
Explore Japanese society and national identity. Class members share ideas about the Japanese economy and then investigate a series of resources, including an article, a film, a lecture, and a poem, to learn about Japan's Bubble Economy...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Hamlet and the Elizabethan Revenge Ethic in Text and Film
Young scholars research the social context of Elizabethan England for Shakespeare's "Hamlet". They identify cultural influences on the play focusing on the theme of revenge and then analyze and compare film interpretations of the play.
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Exploring Selected Haiku by Issa
Students explore poetry by Issa. In this haiku activity, students discuss and list the attributes of Japanese haiku as the read poetry by Issa. Students write their own haiku following the criteria presented.
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Correspondence
Pupils write a pen pal letter to narrate a special event in the life of a young person in the TL culture. In this pen pal lesson plan, students read and respond to letters by their classmates.
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Culture Clash
Students watch the movie, Mr. Baseball, and discuss the difference between Japanese and American cultures.
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Year of the Impossible Goodbyes by Sook Nyul Choi
Students analyze Korean culture from their literature piece. They investigate the theme of oppression by an occupying army. Students encounter courage, resistance movements and explore the underground railroads.
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The Effects of Limited Space on a Culture
Learners predict the impact of population density on shelter, transportation, recreation, land use, and social skills and then research that impact on Japan. They write a response about the impact of population density on food...
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Children's Book Creations
Students create a children's book version of the Japanese folk story "Momotaro Boy of the Peach" and present the story to elementary students. In this children's book lesson, students design their book to explain Japanese culture to...
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Art of Japan - Textiles - Kimonos
Students examine and discuss the role of the Kimono in Japanese culture. They create Kimono Paper Weavings, Kimono Scratch Art, and Kimono Clay Sculptures.
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Put on a Happy Face!
Students explore using recycled materials. In this ecology/art lesson, students use recycled materials to create a Halloween mask. Students view folk art made of natural and available resources, and discuss possible cultural uses for...
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What Does a Monarch Caterpillar Eat?
Second graders study what monarch caterpillars eat by solving math problems and reading The Girl Who Loved Caterpillars: A Twelfth-Century Tale from Japan. They analyze why Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed leaves and solve...
Curated OER
A Study of Cross-Cultural Connections
Ninth graders analyze connections between Asia and Europe in the pre-Renaissance period. They identify and analyze elements of Japanese and Chinese culture similiar to that of feudal Europe.
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"In a Grove" and "Rashomon" by Akutagawa
Learners read and analyze the short stories, "In a Grove," and "Rashomon," by Akutagawa. They discuss the samurai warrior culture, watch a short video, take a quiz, participate in whole-group discussions, identify similes and metaphors,...