Asian Art Museum
Experience Chanoyu: A Japanese Tea Gathering
As part of the study of Japanese cultural history, introduce your class members to Chanoyu, the Way of Tea. After a discussion of the history and key elements of Chanoyu, class groups perform the ceremony.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
History of Immigration From the 1850s to the Present
The Statue of Liberty may embrace the huddled masses of the world, but has American society always joined in? After young historians read a passage about the history of American immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on...
Curated OER
Evacuation: The Japanese Americans in World War II
Students examine Japanese internment camps of World War II. In this World War II lesson, students use primary and secondary sources to research the evacuation process and life within the internment camps. Students discuss the racial bias...
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Locke and Walnut Grove: Havens for Early Asian Immigrants in California
Students use readings, maps and photos to examine the life of Japanese-American immigrants in Locke and Walnut Grove in the early 1900s. They discuss their research findings, role-play the lives of immigrants and write responses.
Curated OER
Haiku and Beyond: Exploring Genres of Japanese Literature
Fourth graders compare and contrast the literature of Japan as they study the culture, history and geography of the island nation. They read various genres of literature, describe geographic and landform features of Japan, and find...
Curated OER
Soar Into Spring With Kites!
The kite has an amazing history! It has been used for thousands of years, has led to many scientific disoveries, and has made some people very famous. Just ask Ben Franklin! This terrific lesson plan offers many cross-curricular...
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Lesson: Soapin' It Up
A Japanese Shinto deity from the early 900s inspires youngsters to think symbolically. They analyze the carved sculpture, the techniques used to create it, and its cultural or symbolic meaning. Then, they design and carve a symbolic...
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The Japanese Empire: The Beginning
Ninth graders explore empires by researching Japan's history. In this Japanese research lesson, 9th graders discuss the history of Japan and the elements of World War II that caused Japan to become an enemy of the United States. Students...
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The Growth of U.S.-Japanese Hostility, 1915-1932
Students explore the relationship between Japan and the United States between 1915 and 1932. In this diplomacy instructional activity, students examine the Open Door Policy, 21 Demands, and the invasion of Manchuria by Japan. Students...
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Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...
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History of Japan
Learners research the mythological and factual founding of early Japan. They compare and contrast the two accounts. As an assessment activity, they fill out a chart that compares and contrasts the facts and myths surrounding Japanese...
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Japanese Culture
Ninth graders examine the differences in the way genders have been treated in the same society over the course of a nation's history. In this World History lesson, 9th graders study the factors that have caused changes in...
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Japanese Internment Camps in the US During World War II
Eighth graders analyze the impact of the Japanese/American conflict during World War II on the Japanese American population and evaluate the consequences of government action regarding international conflict. Students demonstrate their...
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Forced Imprisonment WWII
Seventh graders examine Japanese-American internment camps. In this World War II lesson, 7th graders research the details of Japanese-American internment and create digital journals of the experience from the perspectives of internees.
Curated OER
Origami Paper Fun
Students explore the art of Origami. They listen to various stories about Japan, create Origami shapes by following step-by-step directions, sing Japanese songs, locate Japan on a map, and take a quiz.
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Early Growth and Expansion: Russia and Japan
Fifth graders examine the role of geography in both the political expansion of Russia and the isolation of Japan. They evaluate the costs and benefits of Russia's expansion. They complete a worksheet exploring Japanese feudalism and...
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Military History Of China And Japan
Students examine how the Chinese and Japanese used art and literature to bolster the legitimacy of military regimes. The lesson concludes with small group Powerpoint presentations.
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A Brief History of Vietnam (1858-2004) and Its Evolving Communist System
High schoolers examine the French colonization of Vietnam, the Vietnam War, and the current evolving Communist system. They develop political maps, outline the major events of the Vietnam War, write an essay, and compare/contrast...
Japan Society
Akutagawa Ryunosuke and the Taisho Modernists
Japan's Taisho Period was a time when authors like Akutagawa and other Japanese modernists began to experiment with point of view and literary form, making the literature produced during this time period a natural choice for teaching...
Curated OER
The 47 Loyal Retainers -- Honor and Murder in Early Modern Japan
Young scholars read articles about the 47 retainer group in Japan. They discuss the importance of honor and law in early modern Japan. They develop their own opinions about how a case should have been handled and share them with the class.
Curated OER
Ardipithecus ramidus: A Prehistory Lesson Plan
Students discover details about the genus Ardipithecus. For this prehistory lesson, students listen to a lecture about the attributes of Ardipithecus. Students then conduct further research on either Ardipithecus ramidus or...
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Japanese Folktales for Children
Students study Japanese folkart traditions and culture through storytelling, class discussions, and a creative project. The project involves students creating drawings of a pre-selected folktale and putting them together in a class book.
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Japanese Peasants
Students examine how the Japanese peasant was depicted in art in this high school lesson plan about Asian cultures. Emphasis is placed on individual observations and written reflections.