Curated OER
The Role of Monuments And Memorials
Students investigate the use of monuments and memorials in various cultures in this three day Language Arts or Social Studies lesson. Emphasis is placed on in-class discussions, research, and individual creative projects.
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Belief Systems of the Silk Roads
Students review, compare, and contrast belief systems of the Silk Roads. They analyze primary texts of sacred and philosophical writings. Finally, students recognize the rich diversity of belief systems along the Silk Roads.
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Post-WWII De-Colonization
The end of WWII brought big changes around the world, not the least of which occur in the increasingly decolonized continent of Africa. This slideshow details the developing countries of Ghana, Kenya, Congo, Nigeria, and South Africa, to...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
A Geography Lesson
Fewer and fewer people have a strong grasp of world geography, but this activity helps students understand geopolitics by creating their own original historical map. The activity requires selecting a country from the list provided,...
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Shinto, Stones, and the Garden
Students 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 lesson is for the elementary classroom.
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Japanese Side Bound Books
Students create Japanese side-bound books using traditional bookbinding methods and original Haikus in this Art lesson for the High School classroom. The lesson can be modified for any grade level and can be accomplished in two class...
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Polyrhythmic Drumming Styles: Japan and Brazil
Students explore cyclic patterns in drumming style. In this multicultural music lesson, students listen to and compare Taiko and Samba drumming styles and complete a compare/contrast worksheet.
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Comparative religious Teachings
Ninth graders examine the goods and culture that was traded along the Silk Road. In this World History lesson plan, 9th graders compare and contrast the belief systems of the Silk Roads. Students analyze a primary text of...
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Chinese And Japanese Tomb Cultures
Students examine burial customs in ancient China and Japan comparing those customs to burial traditions from other cultures. This lesson plan leads to group creative projects of mock "tombs".
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Mudras and Sign Language
Pupils compare the languages of the ancient Japanese people and the American deaf community, two cultures that utilize hand signs in this lesson for the early elementary classroom.
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The Relationship Between Zen And Haiku Aesthetics
Students examine the principles of Haiku as they relate to idealss found in Zen Buddhism in this High School lesson. The lesson concludes with the creation of individual haikus by each student.
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Hanging Scrolls
Students explore prospective content for art, then select and use appropriate
subjects, symbols, and ideas to make art meaningful in this lesson suited for upper-elementary and middle level classrooms.
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Guidelines for Governing: Utopia and The Prince
Students explore the power of the Church in government. In this literature lesson plan, students read Sir Thomas More's Utopia and Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. Students respond to questions regarding the works and discuss them.
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Origami Paper Cranes
Learners complete cross-curricular activities to study the culture and humanity in Japan. Students read the book Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes and complete social studies and art lessons related to the book as well as develop an...
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Saris, Kimonos, Tagas and Smocks: Exploring Clothing Across Cultures
Students explore via the internet all types of clothing around the world. Students discuss that the way people dress is an important means of expressing identity. Students collaborate via Internet research the social purposes of clothing.
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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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Put on a Happy Face!
Learners explore using recycled materials. In this ecology/art lesson, students use recycled materials to create a Halloween mask. Learners view folk art made of natural and available resources, and discuss possible cultural uses for...
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Japanese Lacquerware Art Lesson
Students are introduced to the traditional form of lacquerware painting in Japan. Students imitate Japanese lacquerware techniques using paper plates, gesso and tempera paints.
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Teaching the Hindu-Buddhist Tradition in East Asian Culture Through Asian Literature and Film
Students 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, Confucianism...
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Religion And Magic
Students examine the indigenous religions of China (Daoism) and Japan (Shinto) to see how magical beliefs and practices form an integral part of these religions. This lesson may be controversial.
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Haiku
Pupils 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 classes...
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Flora, Fauna, and the Passing Seasons
Students discover representations in art, religion and cultural practices of the flora and fauna of specific geographical regions in this early elementary lesson plan. The lesson ends with a mural project by the entire class.
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"For The Birds" [part II]
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.