Activity
Japan Society

The “I” Novels in the Context of Early 20th-Century Japan

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Although this lesson plan covers the rather obscure topic of the Japanese "I-novel", it also includes a great deal of historical information and material for an in-depth discussion of universal literary concepts. Specifically, young...
Activity
Japan Society

Individual and Society: Natsume Sôseki and the Literature of the Early Twentieth Century

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Science in History Part I: the Abacus To the Modern Computer

For Students 5th - 6th
In this math information worksheet, students read one page factual accounts of the early math inventions of the abacus, the calculator and early computers. There are 40 questions to answer about the reading.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Haiku and Beyond: Exploring Genres of Japanese Literature

For Teachers 4th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Japanese Empire: The Beginning

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore empires by researching Japan's history. In this Japanese research lesson, 9th graders discuss the history of Japan and the elements of World War II that caused Japan to become an enemy of the United States. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Military History Of China And Japan

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine how the Chinese and Japanese used art and literature to bolster the legitimacy of military regimes. The lesson concludes with small group Powerpoint presentations.
Lesson Plan
Japan Society

Akutagawa Ryunosuke and the Taisho Modernists

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Japan's Taisho Period was a time when authors like Akutagawa and other Japanese modernists began to experiment with point of view and literary form, making the literature produced during this time period a natural choice for teaching...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Folktales for Children

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars study Japanese folkart traditions and culture through storytelling, class discussions, and a creative project. The project involves students creating drawings of a pre-selected folktale and putting them together in a...
Writing
Curated OER

Awesome Stories: Vincent van Gogh

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Who was Vincent van Gogh? Most of the questions can be answered in two or three sentences; however, there is at least one essay prompt and one personal response question that require longer answers. Questions call for a good mix of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Journey To Japan Through Poetry

For Teachers 3rd
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"For The Birds" [part II]

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine how Chinese and Japanese artists used different kinds of birds as representations of ideas that were important in both cultures and create their own birds using the technique of origami.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Haiku

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars study various forms of poetry and the culture of Japan. They are introduced to a haiku- a traditional form of poetry and an art form in the Japanese culture. They write a haiku and create a student haiku booklet with the...
Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

The Cold War: How Did It Start? How Did It End?

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
What is the difference between a Cold War and a Hot War? Scholars research the beginning of the Cold War. They analyze diary entries as well as excerpts from various events during the 45-year standoff. To finish, they prepare final...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting Oriented

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore the geography, culture, and philosophy of Asia using all five senses and information about China and Japan. This lesson is detailed and may take several days of in-class activities to complete.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals in Art

For Teachers 1st - 5th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First Peoples Project

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students participate in this project to connect the indigenous groups of the world. They create a calendar with their artwork with the hope new ideas can be exchanged between groups.
Primary
Hanover College

The Diary of Lady Sarashina

For Students 9th - 10th
The complete diary of one of the "Court Ladies" at the Japanese Imperial Court during the early 11th century. Provides many examples of Japanese poetry from the period.
Graphic
New York Times

New York Times: The Fortune Cookie: A History

For Students 9th - 10th
Evidence points to fortune cookies originating in Japan, not China as most people assume. Here is a brief video presentation discussing the roots of the fortune cookies and how they became linked to Chinese culture. [1:21]