Using primary source documents, young historians explore the strategies the US used to defeat Japan during WWII. They also learn about the American military experience, and innovations that changed the style of warfare. High schoolers...

Seventh graders explore the current tensions in Asia by completing a graphic organizer.  In this Asian politics lesson, 7th graders examine a Powerpoint slide and news article which gives them the information needed to fill in their...

Tenth graders compare and contrast the patriotism of Imperial Japan to its presence in the United States today. In this patriotism lesson, 10th graders write essays and participate in a classroom debate that requires them to consider the...

Learners discuss how sound has been used throughout history and cultures, including present day in their own lives, through the study of Taiko Drums in this introductory lesson. Resource ideas are provided.

Fifth graders read a story about a girl living in Tokyo. Using the Internet, they research Japan while noting its unique characteristics. They virtually connect with a classroom in Japan and share information about their school with them.

Students examine the role of women in Japan through Art and create collages using learned knowledge that depict the role of women in America today in this exciting Art or Social Studies lesson.

Students create paper cranes using the art of Origami from Japan as a basis. This lesson plan includes three lesson plan enrichment activities, a vocabulary list, and ideas for possible origami materials.

Learners examine how the proximity of all areas of Japan to the ocean influences lifestyles and determines occupations for the people. This lesson includes lesson extensions and a concept list.

Students are introduced to the traditional form of lacquerware painting in Japan. Students imitate Japanese lacquerware techniques using paper plates, gesso and tempera paints.

Fourth graders create Venn diagrams to compare and contrast life in the United States and Japan. While the teacher holds up word cards, they decide where to categorize them under Japan, the U.S., or both. As students assemble their...

Students review their prior knowledge on the topic of printmaking. Individually, they draw three ideas for their own print and watch a video about the techniques used by the Japanese. In groups, they move from station to station to make...

Young scholars identify some of the attributes of China and Japan and compare and contrast the way Chinese, Japanese, and American artists represent nature in art. The instructional activity is for upper-elementary classrooms.

Middle schoolers write from differing points of view, and act out stories in pantomime as another student narrates.

Students engage in a lesson that looks at the culture of Japan to isolate the practices of painting and writing in several different traditions. They conduct research about the lives of the artists using a variety of resources. The...

Students evaluate the state of Japan's military and their defense strategy under the current Shinzo Abe administration. They watch the film, 'The Raping of Nanking' and read "The Return of Japanese Militarism: Rising Sun" by Joshua...

Learners study the Japanese art of fish painting called Gyotaku while examining the lifestyle of Japanese fishermen at the end of the Edo period. They make a Gyotaku fish print and write a haiku poem using the proper number of syllables...

Haikus by Basho, Buson, Issa, and Shiki are used as models for a brief lecture on the importance of poetry in Japan's history and the structure of this poetic form. Students then go on a nature walk, record impressions, and return to the...

Students explore the Japanese influence on Cincinnati artist Maria Longworth Nichols Storer, by examining her metal works, Basket and Chalice. They research a sea creature using nonfiction books or Internet resources. Students write a...

Fourth graders experience the music and arts of Japan as they explore the language and culture of the country in this lesson. A variety of musical elements from the culture are demonstrated.

Students compare the Northridge and Kobe earthquake. In groups, they identify the economic, political and culture decisions that were made according to the various cultures. They answer discussion questions and share their answers with...

Students learn that articles used by a culture reveal much about life and people's values. They learn the Japanese word to identify some artifacts and some simple games using Japanese toys.

Fourth graders, understanding that fans are part of the cultural tradition of Japan, create fans that incorporate design techniques and ornamentation similar to that used in Japan. They also use the fan as an aid to expressive action.

Young scholars explore the elements of a ghost story and cautionary tales. The story, "Encounter With a Skull" is read and used as a model for their own story creations. The values and belief systems of various cultures are examined.

Students study the significance of the daruma through history since the sixth century. Students discuss good luck symbols used by other cultures. Students make a paper mache daruma, filling one eye and setting a goal.