Art and architecture go hand-in-hand. Kids watch clips from the Hayo Miyazaki film Spirited Away to better understand Japanese customs and architecture. The discussion questions included are very good, and will help you lead the class in...

High schoolers examine the history of Chinese American artist Xu Bing. For this multicultural lesson, students collaborate in small groups to identify letters in the artist's work, and brainstorm how they would create their own images...

Bring multi-cultural experiences and literature into your language arts class with this instructional activity. Here, young readers explore the points of view of first and second-generation Asian immigrants with a list of various fiction...

Students are introduced to the beauty of silk painting. They create a colorful leaf-print sun catcher that glows when placed in a window. Each student experiences the mixing of the colors and tie a link with Asian cultures, science and...

Students discover alternative medicines from around the globe.  In this world culture lesson, students read text from Africa, Ireland, Tibet and Tanzania discussing known remedies to diseases.  Students discuss with each other...

A lesson plan originally designed around the short story "Mr. Saito of Heaven Building" by Yamanokuchi Baku, this resource provides historical background, discussion questions, and brief writing assignments that help your class explore...

Learners examine burial customs in ancient China and Japan comparing those customs to burial traditions from other cultures. This lesson leads to group creative projects of mock "tombs".

You won't believe your eyes when you see these dresses made out of paper. Learners create paper dresses by modifying a pattern provided by the teacher, and decorate the dress using 1960's style art. What a fantastic and motivating...

Studying haiku poetry with your English class? Delving into Japanese history with your world history class? Here is an authentic and creative way to explore Japanese culture more deeply. Pupils will compare and contrast two tea caddies...

Students read texts, view film and video and conduct research in an analysis and comparison of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and the Kabuki piece "Chushingura". They focus their analysis on the theme of revenge.

Third graders recognize the importance of making and flying of kites in the Japanese culture. They make up a story about themselves, their families, or just a story that was written by a third grade Japanese student when creating their...

Students conduct research into the life of being a person who is Japanese. The instructional activity uses essential questions in order to guide the research. Classroom activities are used to encourage discussion.

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.

Young scholars become more aware of cultural differences by reading a variety of multicultural books about social issues. They assess various Haiku's by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Kamishibai stories by Dianne Clouet and snapshots from Japan by...

A traditional textbook chapter focuses on feudal powers in Japan, and includes vocabulary, note-taking tips in the sidebar, main ideas, and follow-up assessment questions. It also incorporates opportunities for art...

The big question: How did Russo-Japanese War imagery and the press influence Japanese perception of the war? Learners consider this big question as they compare and contrast various artistic media from the period. The lesson is...

Third graders explore world cultures by reading a children's story in class. In this Japanese heritage instructional activity, 3rd graders read the book Grandfather's Journey and identify the characters, setting and plot that takes...

In this Tanka poem worksheet, 6th graders analyze a Tanka poem for number of syllables and content parameters, then write one about a journey, real or imagined using the 6 step writing process.

Make origami ducks with your class to reinforce geometry concepts and vocabulary; develop fine motor and visual translation skills; and enrich study of Japanese culture, the pond habitat, or migration. Create a whole group "worksheet"...

Students research the culture of feudal Japan. They discuss shoguns, emperors and clans. They practice writing Japanese letters.

Students identify that a system of feudalism similar to that of medieval Europe developed in Japan by 1300. Students identify the social hierarchy of feudal Japan. Students identify what the cultural basis for the relationships among...

Students research Japanese culture through art, caligraphy, food and literature of Japan. They increase knowledge of the computer and Interent.

The effect of cultural beliefs on the progress and industrialization of a society is an interesting idea to consider, and this is certainly true in this lesson on feudal Japan. Your young historians will read informational texts on...

Inspire first grade artists to learn about abstract and realistic art while reading Eric Carle's Where are you Going? To See My Friend. Young artists design and make a mural collage by tearing shapes of paper while comparing English and...