Denver Art Museum
Tea Gathering Quick-Write
Japanese tea gatherings are the inspiration for a great activity. Learners are provided with an image of a tea caddy made for thick tea and asked to describe what they notice and what that might mean. This leads into a larger activity...
Curated OER
World War II Home Front
Eleventh graders examine the political demands put on one of four groups living in America during WWII. Each class member is asked to research and write a paper describing the homefront experience for women, Hispanics, African-Americans,...
Curated OER
Foods and Languages of the World
Young scholars explore Japan. In this Japanese culture lesson, students listen to stories regarding Japan, view Japanese art, learn Japanese words, and make Origami.
Japan Society
Japanese Architecture for High School Students
Japanese architecture is rich in symbolism and culture. Critical thinkers engage in three activities intended to expose them to the beauty of Japan. They read through the book, Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki and watch the film...
Asian Art Museum
Japanese Architecture for Elementary School Students
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...
Scholastic
Calligraphy Minibook
Engage young learners in practicing their counting skills while teaching them about the Japanese writing system with this printable book. Using the included key that shows the kanji characters for the numbers 1-10, children count the...
Curated OER
Japanese Poetry: Tanka? You're Welcome!
Students analyze Japanese tanka poetry. In this Japanese poetry lesson, students identify analyze the structure of tanka poetry. Students complete the activities at the given links for the lesson and compose two tanka poems.
Curated OER
Japanese American Internment
Eleventh graders examine Japanese-American internment. In this World War II lesson, 11th graders research primary sources that they locate to learn about the experiences of the interned Japanese-Americans. Students then complete a...
Curated OER
Japanese Festival Mask Making
Students learn about Japanese culture and make a mask. In this lesson about Japanese mask-making, students use research and art to explore the Japanese culture. Students research Japanese masks. Students design their own Japanese mask....
Curated OER
Dorothea Lange and the Relocation of Japaneses Americans
Young scholars analyze Dorothea Lange's photographs about Japanese American relocation. In this art and history lesson, students analyze a photograph about the relocation of Japanese Americans. Young scholars discuss the impact of...
Curated OER
Japanese Folktales
Students read both Japanese and American folktales and respond to teacher generated questions. They compare the folktales and determine if there is a lesson plan to be learned. They draw story card to retell the story to the class.
Curated OER
How My Parents Learned to Eat
Students identify popular foods in Japan. In this social studies lesson, students read the story How My Parents Learned to Eat and discuss ways that the Japanese eat their food. Students research popular foods in Japan.
Curated OER
Japanese American Baseball in the Camps
Learners study Japanese American internment camps. In this American history lesson plan, students compare and contrast the camp internees' experiences with with team sports-related challenges learners have encountered. Students discuss...
Japan Society
Individual and Society: Natsume Sôseki and the Literature of the Early Twentieth Century
Combine literature and history by examining the work of Japanese writers after the Russo-Japanese war. This resource is for advanced classes with an interest in how literature reflects and reacts to societal change. Activities outlined...
Curated OER
Visiting Tokyo Disneyland
Students plan a trip to Disneyland in Tokyo. They read the read the research website in Japanese and create a poster in katakana.
Byrne Bob
Dr. Moku's Hiragana Mnemonics
What do repulsive reptiles and a farting cow have to do with hiragana? Find out as you master the basics of hiragana quickly and easily. Each syllable is paired with an image and a sentence designed to stick in your mind. You won't be...
Curated OER
Japanese Poetry: Tanka? You're Welcome!
Students explore the structure and content of the Tanka form and to arrive at a definition of the structure in English. They analyze a tanka to determine its structure and intent and compose two Tanka; one in traditional form and one...
Curated OER
The Language of Love
Students explore the images and idioms related to love in their own culture. They examine new rituals recently created in Japan by reading and discussing "Osaka Journal:Japanese Date Clubs Take the Muss Out of Mating."
Curated OER
Japanese Song: Fireflies (Hotaru, Koi)
Fifth graders examine the lyrics of a popular Japanese folk song to focus on the pentatonic scale and how it is used in the musical piece. English and Japnanese pronunciations are practiced in this instructional activity.
Curated OER
Hiragana - Perfect ~ Writing a Japanese Pictionary
Pupils listen to a story and view Japanese artifacts. They use the internet to explore the writings known as Hiragana. They create their own Japanese pictionaries and share them with the class.
Denver Art Museum
Descriptive Haiku
Even though this is technically an art lesson, haiku poetry is actually the main focus! Learners view photographs of Japanese tea caddies. They list five descriptive words for the caddies, then write haiku poems using the caddies as...
Japan Society
The Bubble Economy and the Lost Decade
Explore Japanese society and national identity. Class members share ideas about the Japanese economy and then investigate a series of resources, including an article, a film, a lecture, and a poem, to learn about Japan's Bubble Economy...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The World of Haiku
Students complete a study of Japanese culture through haiku. They read and interpret haiku poetry and write haiku of their own.
Curated OER
Kodomo No Hi: Children's Day Celebration
Children's Day is a beloved Japanese holiday with many colorful and engaging traditions. On this national holiday celebrated yearly on May 5, children are honored for their strengths and given good wishes for happiness. Your younger...