Students locate Japan on a globe, name the major physical features, and describe the physical environment. They survey the differences and similarities between the life and culture of Japanese young people and American young people.

Upper graders view a series of films that depict rituals or celebrations as they occur in different cultural settings. They conduct a cultural investigation about one culture, brainstorm and research objects that have cultural or...

Middle schoolers write a compare and contrast essay. In this writing skills lesson, students learn about life in Japan through a video of a Japanese third grader. Middle schoolers use notes written on the video to write a...

Ninth graders examine and discuss reasons United States occupied Japan after surrender in World War II, view photographs of Japan at end of War and explore how U.S. occupation affected Japan's political, economic, and social systems, and...

First graders develop a connection with students in a first grade classroom in Japan. They begin to develop a curiosity about Japan--the landscape, the people, and their culture, while developing an understanding of the Five Themes of...

Learners descirbe everyday events typical in the lives of contemporary, young, Japanese school-age children and understand some of the underlying reasons for various practices. They see that Japan and the state of Washington have many...

Middle schoolers study the geography and culture of Japan and discover important historical events. They look at the religions of Japan. They determine similarities and differences in the lives of teenagers in Japan and the US. They read...

Students use the internet to gather information on the Japanese Gardens. They discuss topics with a horticulturist and build a replica of the gardens at their school. They work together to identify different types of plants.

First graders use literature, maps, and globes to explain how physical environments in various parts of the world are similar to and different from one's own, and that certain areas have common characteristics and can be called regions.

Students create a book about how life is different in America from Japan in order to help a pretend new Japanese student feel welcome.

Students 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...

Students experience issues of intercultural children born as a result of the Occupation of Japan by American soldiers. They reflect on how these experiences and issues might be relevant to our own lives. Task cars are available to print...

Students, while studying the "day-in-the-life photographs" of a Deai student, compare and contrast the lives and activities of Kojiro, one other Deai student and themselves. Sequential order plays an important role within this lesson for...

What a wonderful way to explore this topic! Learners take an imaginary trip to Asia, take a visual tour, and formulate questions for a research project. As a final project, they create a travel brochure.

First graders complete a two-week introductory unit on Japan and Japanese culture. They compare/contrast Japanese and American lifestyles, watch videos, design an original kimono, eat Japanese food using chopsticks, fold Origami shapes,...

First graders explore what life in Japan is like including, home and daily life, food and eating customs, school life, games and sports, holiday customs, and religion.

This compelling plan based on the letters in the book Dear Miss Breed engages readers in learning what it was like for Japanese Americans following the attacks at Pearl Harbor. After reading the letters, young scholars will...

Students investigate the life and influence of Tet suko Kuroyanagi upon the world. They conduct research into her life from the 1st grade to adulthood. Students read excerpts from her book for information and inspiration.

Learners compare and contrast the Japanese educational system with that of the United States and debate the merits of both.

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 how the Japanese peasant was depicted in art in this high school lesson plan about Asian cultures. Emphasis is placed on individual observations and written reflections.

Students write position papers from the point of view of a Shigaraki art collector in this lesson plan on pottery techniques found in Japan between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.

Students analyze the influence of Japanese art on French art between 1860 and 1910 in this ideal lesson for the high school Social Studies, Humanties, or Asian Studies classroom. Research itechniques are emphasized.

Students investigate and examine ukiyo-e, or Japanese woodblock prints, from the Edo period (1615-1868) in Japan and use this gained knowledge to compare Japanese culture to American societal trends.