Curated OER
Narrow Road to the Interior
Students investigate the life and work of the Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho as the Japanese poetic forms are studied. Nature, symbolism, and history are probed as the lesson is developed.
Curated OER
Chalkboard Challenge: The Five Major Religions
Employing a game format, this Jeopardy-influenced game provides questions to help learners review information related to the study of world religions. The questions involve an exploration of the Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and...
Curated OER
Japanese Haiku and the American Experience
Twelfth graders research the history to Haiku Poetry. They read classical haiku to comprehend their special sensibility and form. Students encounter the Buddhist philosophical background of this poetry and its roots. They write original...
Curated OER
Animals in Art
Young scholars look at how animals are shown in literature and art as representing emotions, telling a story, or sending a message in this elementary school Language Arts and Visual Arts lesson.
Curated OER
Religion And Magic
Pupils examine the indigenous religions of China (Daoism) and Japan (Shinto) to see how magical beliefs and practices form an integral part of these religions. This lesson may be controversial.
Curated OER
Enduring Themes in American History-Museum Assignment
Students study and research the life of Albert Einstein. They focus on the extent Albert Einstein catalyzed and criticized President Harry S. Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan during WWII. Students answer a series of...
Curated OER
The Four Religions of East Asia
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.
Curated OER
The Relationship Between Zen And Haiku Aesthetics
Students examine the principles of Haiku as they relate to idealss found in Zen Buddhism in this High School lesson plan. The lesson plan concludes with the creation of individual haikus by each student.
Curated OER
The Artist As Storyteller
Students practice the art of storytelling by examining scroll writing techniques of Asia and applying them to a monthly story of their own classroom. This lesson is in two parts (Part II continues throughout the school year).
Curated OER
The Five Major Religions
Your 7th graders will have no problem understanding the similarities and difference in the tenets of the world's 5 major religions. This PowerPoint covers the history, major players, and philosophy of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism,...
Curated OER
Japanese Objects as Cultural Artifacts: A Model Lesson Using Textiles
Students complete a unit on the cultural significance of textiles in the Japanese culturre. They analyze cotton, line, silk, and wool fabrics, examine various fabric creation and decoration techniques, select an object and write a...
Curated OER
East Asian Study Seminar
Students research and experience the culture of Zen Buddhism. They engage the practice of meditation by practicing themselves in a variety of contexts with different cultural readings.
Curated OER
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Have your class explore the effects of war by reading Eleanor Coerr's story, "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes." This is a story about a sixth grader who lives in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb is dropped. Learners answer questions,...
Curated OER
Who's The Boss?
Upper elementary and middle schoolers research and analyze some different types of governments. Democracies, Monarchies, and Dictatorships are some of the types that are looked at. Learners use the Internet to gather information that...
California Polytechnic State University
Australian Geography Unit
At the heart of this resource is a beautifully detailed PowerPoint presentation (provided in PDF form) on the overall physical geography of Australia, basic facts about the country, Aboriginal history, and Australia culture and lifestyle.
UTSA Institute of Texas Cultures
Teaching Through Kamishibai and The Art of Chinese Calligraphy
Young learners discover kamishibai, a popular Japanese storytelling art, and explore how these Japanese folktales illustrate the country's cultural themes and values through discussion and storyboarding.
Curated OER
Buddhism
Pair this presentation about the tenets and philosophies of Buddhism with a lecture on world history or world religions.Viewers will appreciate the clarity of the information as well as the colorful maps and images that adorn each slide.
Global Oneness Project
Resurrecting a Home
Davina Pardo's documentary Minka asks viewers to consider that value of preserving traditional dwellings and traditional building techniques by examining how American journalist John Roderick and Japanese architect Yoshihiro Takishita...
American Museum of Natural History
Being An Anthropologist: Laurel Kendall
Imagine studying Korean culture, especially the role of women, as well as marriage and religious rituals from home! Anthropologist Laurel Kendall shares what she has learned from her many trips to this fascinating country half a world away.
Curated OER
The Japanese Tea Ceremony
Students participate in a research project that is focused upon the subject of The Japanese Tea Ceremony. They find the information and present the findings in writng. On day 3 of this lesson students have their own tea ceremonies.
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
"A Sound of Hammering"
Tenth graders study "A Sound of Hammering," which is a letter written by a former soldier after the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II.
Curated OER
"Encounter with a Skull"
Young scholars read a story twice. The first time they read it is without contextual information. They read it with the contextual information.
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,...