Lesson Plan
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History of Japan

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research the mythological and factual founding of early Japan. They compare and contrast the two accounts. As an assessment activity, they fill out a chart that compares and contrasts the facts and myths surrounding Japanese...
Lesson Plan
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The Three Doctrines & Legalism

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders imagine themselves to be, in turn, a follower of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Legalism. They are given a handout that lists seven questions. Direct students to write down how they feel an individual would answer...
Lesson Plan
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Bodhidharma/Daruma Doll Lesson

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate the historical Bodhidharma and focus upon the founding of Buddhism in China. They create two-dimensional Daruma dolls and define the term of enlightenment using simple language. Students read about the legend while...
Unit Plan
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Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan!

For Teachers 6th
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.
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to Tibet

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners explore Tibet. In this Tibet geography and culture instructional activity, students work in groups to read and summarize a data set pertaining to a particular cultural aspect of Tibet. Learners present information from their...
Lesson Plan
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Focus of Native American Religious Practices

For Teachers 10th
Here are five quick lessons you can use to introduce your class to religions from around the world. They view and perform a Native American dance, watch a video on Judaism, compare the difference between Catholics and Protestants, watch...
Lesson Plan
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COMPARING BUDDHISM AND CONFUCIANISM

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students conduct research into the two largest religions of Asia that are Buddhism and Confucianism. They set out to find the similarities and differences with the help of a graphic organizer.
Lesson Plan
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Religions of Eastern Asia

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars investigate how religions are created. They identify the basic history, beliefs, and practices of Confucianism, Sikhism, Shinto, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Students are to prepare a...
Lesson Plan
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East Asian Study Seminar

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars research and experience the culture of Zen Buddhism. They engage the practice of meditation by practicing themselves in a variety of contexts with different cultural readings.
Worksheet
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Find-A-Word Ancient China

For Students 6th - 7th
For this social studies worksheet, students locate words relating to Ancient China in a word search. They may self correct their work by selecting the link at the bottom of the page.
Lesson Plan
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ON BECOMING A NONVIOLENT WARRIOR

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine the concept of non-violent social change. In this lesson on social change, students research and role play to demonstrate ways in which this might be accomplished while making connections to various events in history.
Lesson Plan
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KWHL Questioning Strategy Instructions: Siddhartha

For Teachers 11th - 12th
". . . gentlenenss is stronger than severity, water is stronger than rock, love is stronger than force." Prior to beginning Siddhartha, employ a KWHL strategy to provided your class members with the background knowledge of Hinduism,...
Lesson Plan
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The Relationship Between Zen And Haiku Aesthetics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
PPT
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Maurya & Gupta India

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Art, power, and commerce are often the hallmarks of a mighty empire - and the ancient world of India is no exception. The presentation explores the Maurya, Asoka, and Gupta Empires, detailing the territorial and artistic changes that...
Lesson Plan
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Religious Intolerance in Afchanistan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, as a group, examine and discuss the destruction and planned demolition of Buddhist artifacts in Afghanistan by the Islamic Taliban government. They further research the issue and then hold a simulated summit with Buddhists,...
Lesson Plan
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Creating a Place of Contemplation Based on Hindu Temple Architecture

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Learners study the architecture and decoration of Hindu temples, compare them with, and apply them to, a place of contemplation they will design for themselves.
Lesson Plan
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The Buddha Chronicles

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students use the internet to take virtual tours of Japan. During the tour, they discover the history of Buddha and how it is still practiced in Japan today. To end the lesson, they create their own webpages to represent the...
Lesson Plan
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Wushu Were Here

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students create a fan-shaped story screen that explains 4 major points surrounding various facts, myths, expressions, or story elements in Chinese history, culture and/or literature.
Lesson Plan
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Japanese Haiku and the American Experience

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders research the history to Haiku Poetry. They read classical haiku to comprehend their special sensibility and form. Students encounter the Buddhist philosophical background of this poetry and its roots. They write original...
Lesson Plan
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Is Gandhi Right: Analyzing His Ideas

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students explore the connection between Gandhi and the Independence Movement in India. In this instructional activity on social change, students examine the ideas of Gandhi to analyze non violent change. Students consider the impact of...
Lesson Plan
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The Perils of Translation

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students discover the challenges of translating poetry written in a character-based language through the study of Lao-tzu's work, Daodejing. This instructional activity includes possible extensions and evaluations.
Lesson Plan
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Belief Systems of the Silk Roads

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils 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.
Lesson Plan
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Ahimsa as a Moral Force

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of Ahimsa. In this peace and tolerance lesson, students discuss Gandhi's application of Ahimsa and Satyagrah as they view the motion picture titled, "Gandhi." Students also discuss how effective Gandhi's...
Lesson Plan
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Zhou Dynasty

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research the contributions of the Zho Dynasty. They identify the Mandate of Heaven, and the growth of the economy under the Zhou. They research the history of the discovery of silk and its role as an export. Finally, they...