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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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A Journey To Japan Through Poetry
Third graders gain an appreciation for writing, analyzing, reading and listening to poetry, viewing poems as a motivation for studying Japanese culture and tradition. They study and create their own haiku and tanka poems with illustrations.
Women in World History Curriculum
Women and Confucianism
Young historians consider the far-reaching effects of traditional teachings on the debates about the current attitudes toward women in society. The discussion begins with a list of New-Confucian sayings and expands to a global perspective.
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The History of Writing
The history of written communication can be an interesting addition to history lessons.
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Teaching the Hindu-Buddhist Tradition in East Asian Culture Through Asian Literature and Film
High schoolers explore various intellectual traditions which dominate human history through a variety of contemporary pieces of literature which exemplify the traditions. Biblical monotheism, Greek rationalism, Hinduism, Buddhism,...
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Dragons Of China And Japan
Young scholars 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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Shinto, Stones, and the Garden
Young scholars 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 instructional activity is for the elementary classroom.
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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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Guidelines for Governing: Utopia and The Prince
Students explore the power of the Church in government. In this literature instructional activity, students read Sir Thomas More's Utopia and Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. Students respond to questions regarding the works and discuss...
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Shadow Puppetry in South India
Students read a variety of literature from India, including folktales and fables. They then select a scene or story to script, work together to design and craft shadow puppets of characters and scenery, narrate a story, manipulate the...
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Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays
Students analyze the conventions used in Noh plays and write an introduction to a Noh play of their own. In this Noh play lesson, students identify the conventions of the Noh form and analyze the realizations the main character achieves....
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Two Haiku
Eighth graders, in pairs, discuss what they already know about Haiku poetry. They try to remember the rules, history, and focus of traditional Japanese Haiku. they read more examples of Haiku and then write and illustrate their own...
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Animals in Art
Students 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 plan.
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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.
Curated OER
Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays
Young scholars read a Japanese Noh play and discuss its structure and traditional characters. They choose a short myth and write a Noh play based on it.
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Age Brings Wisdom -- Learning to Respect Elders
Students read a story about a young Japanese boy and his mother who decide to not banish the community's elders to the hills. They create origami helmets. They work together to make posters appreciating senior citizens.
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Gifts of All Sizes
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this stewardship lesson, students consider human capacity for generosity as they read folktales from different cultures that feature characters giving of themselves.