Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Golden Rule of Reciprocity

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore The Golden Rule of Reciprocity from various religions. For this religious beliefs lesson, students examine various religious quotes and summarize the idea of The Golden Rule in a sentence.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Have World Religions Shaped Who I Am Today?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Daoist Immortals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"For The Birds" [part II]

For Teachers 4th - 7th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Four Religions of East Asia

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the four main religions of Asia (Buddhism Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto). This lesson is intended for use in the middle school Social Studies classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Would You Do?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars study major religions and determine how and why an individual who held each of these beliefs would respond to a similar crisis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography of Early China

For Teachers 5th - 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zhou Dynasty

For Teachers 5th - 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing Ghost Stories Using Encounter With a Skull As a Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Belief Systems of the Silk Roads

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Place of Contemplation Based on Hindu Temple Architecture

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Learners study the architecture and decoration of Hindu temples, compare them with, and apply them to, a place of contemplation they will design for themselves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Korea's Literary Tradition

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars read a text about Korea's literary tradition. In this literary tradition lesson, students read the multiple page text to learn about Korea's literary tradition.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hana Matsuri (Buddha's Birthday)

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students 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.
Website
US National Archives

Herbert Hoover Library: The Eagle and the Dragon

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the history of China: their beliefs, arts, philosophies, medicine, and political evolution.
Handout
Stephen Byrne

History for Kids: Ancient Chinese Religion

For Students 1st - 7th
Overview referencing the religion of ancient China, including notes on Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.
Website
City University of New York

Chinese Cultural Studies: The Spirits of Chinese Religion, by Stephen F. Teiser

For Students 9th - 10th
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."
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Yin, Yang, and a Little Feng Shui

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the Three Ways, which are a blend of Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucianist schools of thought, and what each of these philosophies contributes to the Three Ways.
Website
City University of New York

Brooklyn College: Chinese Philosophy and Religion

For Students 9th - 10th
Article provides a compilation of material from Compton's living encyclopedia. General information about Chinese religion and philosophy.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Korea Religion

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from PBS explains the various religions of South Korea including Buddhism, Christianity, and Confucianism.
Website
Lin and Don Donn

Lin and Don Donn: Chinese Festivals & Dragon Lore

For Students 3rd - 5th
Information on China's ancient past and the roots of modern-day Chinese culture. Includes information on Chinese festivals, religions, and philosophy.
Website
Other

Japan guide.com: Religion in Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
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,...
Website
University of California

The Bancroft Library: Oroville Chinese Temple

For Students 9th - 10th
Digitized collection of artifacts from a Chinese temple built in 1863 and serving a populace of 10,000.
Interactive
Other

Capaella University: Global Map of World Religions

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive world map depicting the areas of the world where specific religions are practiced. Clicking on a religion causes the map to show how the religion has spread from its beginning as well as a brief synopsis of the religion and...
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Asian Educational Media Service

For Students 9th - 10th
A tremendous resource for finding sites, multimedia, and other resources for teaching about or studying Asian countries. Search by country, media type, or grade level. Includes lesson plans and links to great online resources.