Indiana University
Literature of Asia and the Middle East: "A Sound of Hammering" by Dazai Osamu
Dazai Osamu’s short story, “A Sound of Hammering” is the focus of a three-day investigation of modern Japanese literature and life in post-World War II Japan. The events in Osamu’s story mirror those in his own life, and give a...
Curated OER
Dancing in the Desert: The Genie
Fifth graders study nuclear destruction using visual literacy. In this nuclear destruction lesson, 5th graders work in groups to examine a group of pictures that show the destruction of a home by a nuclear blast. They discuss the type of...
Curated OER
Makiko's New World
Students analyze the internal and external causes of the Meiji Restoration. They look at the goals and policies of the state and their impact on Japan's modernization. Students also assess the impact of Western ideas on Japan and realize...
Curated OER
Fish Stories
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.
Curated OER
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan!
Students study feudal Japan, the islands of the country, and its religions. In this history of Japan lesson, students complete a 9 lesson unit about Japan, its history, its feudalism, its islands, and its religions.
Japan Society
Popular Culture and Japan’s Gross National Cool
From Manga to Godzilla and Pokemon, Japanese pop culture has been taking the globe by storm. This phenomenon is called "soft power." Learners will examine the differences between hard and soft power, as well as learn the historical and...
Curated OER
Japanese Bookbinding Kit
Middle schoolers are introduced to Japanese bookbinding techniques. In groups, they compare and contrast the western style against the Japanese style. As a class, they make their own book binding to present the material in a more...
Curated OER
Houses in Japan
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...
National Endowment for the Humanities
How "Grand" and "Allied" Was the Grand Alliance?
Learn more about the Grand Alliance with a scaffolded lesson plan that includes four activities. Class members use primary sources to complete a map exercise, understand the goals and objectives of each individual nation, and participate...
Curated OER
Gapminder World 2012
Here is a very interesting infographic that compares the average life expectancies, per capita incomes, and population sizes of every country in the world in 2012.
Japan Society
National Identity and Literature from Okinawa
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...
Curated OER
Kites of Japan
High schoolers perform research into the designs of Japanese kites in order to appreciate them for their aerodynamic designs. The appreciation builds student interest in order to produce their own similar designs.
Curated OER
Creating and Presenting Haiku With Kid Pix
Students research the history and characteristics of haiku poetry using books and the Internet. They use Kid Pix to create and present original haiku.
Curated OER
The Tale of Genji
Did you know that the world's first novel was written by a woman? Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji, was published in 1021. Class members research Eastern and Western cultures in the 10th and 11th centuries, view modern adaptations of...
Curated OER
Shigaraki Pottery
Students write position papers from the point of view of a Shigaraki art collector in this lesson on pottery techniques found in Japan between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.
Curated OER
Social and Cultural Scene
Ninth graders examine the Imperial Era of Japan. In this World History lesson, 9th graders address the social and cultural aspects or history. students are given various true incidents and should understand that personal stories improve...
Curated OER
World War II in the Pacific and the End of the War
Students study the World War in the Pacific. In this Geography lesson, students develop an awareness of key issues and events from the conflict. Students write a well-organized essay describing this event.
Curated OER
Common Theme in Folktale: 900 Versions of Cinderella
Seventh graders examine various stories that have a Cinderella theme. In this Language Arts lesson, 7th graders compare and contrast stories. Students write various journal assignments in regards to the stories.
Curated OER
Japanese Manners and Life Style
Pupils continue their examination of modern Japan and its culture. Using a map, they locate various cities and landforms in the country and watch a video on related topics in which the make a timeline of key events. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Noh Theater
Students take a closer look at Japanese drama. In this Japanese culture instructional activity, students study the attributes of Noh theater and compare it western theater. Students conduct independent research on the art form prior to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Hamlet Meets Chushingura: Traditions of the Revenge Tragedy
High schoolers 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.
Cornell University
Bridge Building
Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.
Curated OER
Bunraku and Western Puppet Theater: A Comparison
Students compare and contrast puppet theater traditions. In this cultural traditions lesson, students watch film clips of bunraku puppet theater in Japan and then research the art of puppet theater in the world. Students share their...
Curated OER
Kokeshi Dolls
Students study the Japanese holiday Hina Matsuri and its traditions and celebration. They explore the history, location and cultural significance of Kokeshi dolls.