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In Perfect Harmony: Teaching the World to Sing
First graders listen to music as the impetus to learn about the concept of Japanese harmony as it is understood in Japanese culture. They use the New Seeker's song, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," to compare America and Japan...
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Nasco Color Sculpt Mask Making
Students study the various masks made in African, Japanese, and Ancient Egyptian cultures and discuss the funtion of these masks in each society. They create a mask from one of these cultures using a molding technique.
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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...
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The Cultural Geography of East Asia
Students use information from the Asia Society's AskAsia Web site to explore the cultures of China, Japan, and Korea. They answer four questions and then use what they have learned to write a letter of introduction to a Japanese exchange...
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The Rulers of Sky And Earth
Students investigate how symbols of power, the dragon and the tiger, are portrayed in the art of China and Japan and compare and contrast this with the Western conception and portrayal of the dragon.
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Global Music Lesson Plans: Britten and Japan – Japan and the UK
Students explore the links between Japanese and British culture. In this Japanese music lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding Gagaku music and then perform "Te Lucis Ante Terminum" with Japanese...
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Horse Warriors
Students compare the Roman Empire, medieval Europe and feudal Japan. In this warrior societies lesson, students research the 3 warrior societies and share their research findings with their classmates.
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Contemporary Japanese Relief Printing
STudents identify and interpret relief printing and that the art of printing is not only an ancient art in Japan but a contemporary one as well. Students identify who Fumio Fujita is and his artworks.
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Shigaraki Pottery
Learners write position papers from the point of view of a Shigaraki art collector in this lesson on pottery techniques found in Japan between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.
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North Korea's Power Play
Students research a number of websites to see how North Korea's leaders have shaped the country. They investigate Korea's ancient history and culture.
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Greek Mythology -- Part II
Students use the internet to gather information about Greek Mythology. They discover the role of the snake and shamrock and the history of St. Patrick's Day. They compare and contrast their culture to another.
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Exploring & Creating Mythology
Students read and compare mythological stories from ancient cultures from around the world. In small groups they read a myth and present the storyline and themes to the class, and write an original mythological story of their own...
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Fujiyama
Students examine and discuss Mt. Fuji (Fujiyama) and its effect on the culture and philosophy of Japan. This high school lesson is ideal for a Social Studies, Humanities, or Asian Studies class.
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Nature and Haiku Poetry
Students compose haiku poems and recognize how cultures value nature and
natural forces through the study of Japanese poetry. This lesson includes a bibliography of resources.
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Haniwa
Students use non-fired clay and posterboards to create and display examples of Haniwa and kofun in this exciting lesson for the Social Studies, Humanities, Asian Studies, or Art classroom.
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Noh Theater
Students explore the roles in Noh drama and the significance of Noh masks while creating their own version of a Noh play in this High School activity adaptable for either the Language Arts or Theater classroom.
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Children in the United States and Japan
Young scholars locate Japan on a map or globe and describe the relative location of Japan. They use the Internet to investigate cultural characteristics of children in the United States and in Japan. They use a Venn Diagram as an...
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Role of "Outsiders" And Traders in Society
High schoolers examine the Chinese and Japanese conceptions of "insiders" and "outsiders" and how this affects the attitude toward foreign traders from the 6th to the 16th centuries. Lesson extensions are included.
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The Role of Monuments And Memorials
Students investigate the use of monuments and memorials in various cultures in this three day Language Arts or Social Studies instructional activity. Emphasis is placed on in-class discussions, research, and individual creative projects.
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Belief Systems of the Silk Roads
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.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
A Geography Lesson
Fewer and fewer people have a strong grasp of world geography, but this activity helps students understand geopolitics by creating their own original historical map. The activity requires selecting a country from the list provided,...
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Shinto, Stones, and the Garden
Students examine how Shinto and Buddhism are reflected in the Japanese art and life-style, especially as seen in the relationship people have with the land (gardens). This lesson is for the elementary classroom.
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Japanese Side Bound Books
Students create Japanese side-bound books using traditional bookbinding methods and original Haikus in this Art activity for the High School classroom. The activity can be modified for any grade level and can be accomplished in two...
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Polyrhythmic Drumming Styles: Japan and Brazil
Students explore cyclic patterns in drumming style. In this multicultural music lesson, students listen to and compare Taiko and Samba drumming styles and complete a compare/contrast worksheet.