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Japan and The Ring of Fire

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a study of the volcanic forces and earthquakes associated with The Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean. The people of Japan are researched in how they have dealt with living in the area. Also students write in journals...
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The Silk Road

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the geography of Asia from Xian to Istanbul. They explore the intricacies of ancient trade, including trade goods and policies. They study minorities within and outside of various Chinese and other Asian empires.
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Countries, Food, and Culture

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine foods from other countries. In this multicultural lesson plan, students write down names of different restaurants and categorize pictures of foods according to the specific restaurant. For example, Won Ton Soup would be...
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Historical Lessons on Wartime and Race Relations

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students identify perceptions towards Asians widely held by the American public through the analysis of political cartoons from the 1940's. They recognize the ramifications of such perceptions on Asian American and Arab American.
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Gyotaku Lesson Plan

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students examine and discuss the history and process of Gyotaku, or fish prints. They view images of Gyotaku, create a fish print, and write a haiku.
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Turning the Tide in Europe, 1942-1944

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the overall strategies pursued by the Americans and their British allies in the initial months of World War II in Europe. By examining military documents, students examine the decision to invade North Africa...
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Multicultural Music: Israel

For Teachers 2nd
Do a grapevine to the left, lift your hands in the air, and sing out, "Hey!" These are the steps second graders will do when they sing and dance the Israeli folk song, "Achshav.”  They will explore the concept of multicultural music...
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Multicultural Music Connections

For Teachers 3rd
Native American music is fun to listen to and great to play. Third graders get multiculturally inspired as they discuss musical sounds from around the globe, then play a few traditional Native American instruments. 
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Fish Stories

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct background research about a Pacific Rim country to develop a premise for a documentary film about the fate of traditional fishing industries in the area.
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What is a Haiku? How Do You Write a Haiku?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Haiku poetry is explored in this language arts lesson. Yong readers identify the characteristics of haiku and read several examples. Students make connections between their study of Japan and the poetic form of haiku, and they write...
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East Asia & The World

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the relationships between East Asia and the United States. They examine the importance of trade and politics. They examine graphs and charts of certain aspects of the region and discuss.
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The Japanese Garden

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use the internet to gather information on the Japanese Gardens. They discuss topics with a horticulturist and build a replica of the gardens at their school. They work together to identify different types of plants.
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Laws Promoting Healthy Aging: A Comparison of Japan and the United States Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast legislation passed in Japan and the United States in regards to the elderly. Using the Internet, they research how the government has put programs into place to improve the health of older citizens. They...
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Japanese Culture--Comparing the Japanese Educational System to the American

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students study the Japanese educational system and compare and contrast it to the American system. They discuss a typical school day in America and what they believe a typical day is for a Japanese student. Next they write an editorial...
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Pure Land Buddhism in China And Japan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the Pure Land sect of Buddhism in an attempt to better understand how Buddhism has adapted itself to fit into the constantly changing religious, cultural, political, and economic climates of China and Japan.
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Dragons Of China And Japan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create drawings of dragons that could be found in the art of Japan or China. The lesson involves two-days of instruction and leads to student examples of dragons four-times larger than the originals.
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Houses in Japan

For Teachers 1st
First graders compare the everday lives of school-aged children in the United States and Japan by comparing the houses they live in. They discuss how traditional Japanese houses are designed with a feeling of opennes to the outdoors and...
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Civics and Economics: The Occupation of Japan

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students compare the American political and economic systems to the Japanese systems. They interpret maps, tables, charts and political cartoons in analyzing the economic and political issues involved.
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Would You Like to Attend School in Japan?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders construct pro and con T-charts about their education system and that of Japan. They choose which system they prefer and give five reasons for it. Their reasons must be based on strong arguments and evidence.
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Asian Studies Unit Korea

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students conduct research about different Asian countries. The research is done in order to compare and contrast the different land areas and cultures. Students complete a writing assessment related to it.
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Say Hi to Haibun Fun

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
What is a haibun? With this interesting lesson plan, writers will experience the Japanese writing form haibun, identify elements important to Japanese writing styles, analyze a haibun, and compose their own. Different from the typical...
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Katsushika HOKUSAI

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students identify some famous people in the United States and why these people are famous. Students identify and discuss famous people in Japan. Students use internet websites in bibliography if computer is available to learn more about...
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The Growth of U.S.-Japanese Hostility, 1915-1932

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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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United States-Japanese Relations in Post World War II Era

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders analyze political cartoons and posters relating to the United States and Japan in the period following World War II. They discuss the positive and negative consequences of the United States occupation of Japan.