Curated OER
Culture Clash
Students watch the movie, Mr. Baseball, and discuss the difference between Japanese and American cultures.
Curated OER
Japanese Tall Tales
Young scholars read the tale of 'Three Strong Women' looking for facets of culture that create a 'face' of the Japanese people. They create a Venn Diagram comparing Japanese tall tales with factual research about Japanese culture. One...
Curated OER
"Aerogrammes"
Students examine Asian American culture through the analysis of the poem, 'Aerogrammes.' They watch a video, read and discuss the poem, take a field trip to Chinatown, and write a poem about their Chinatown experience.
Curated OER
Famous Asian Americans
Students conduct basic research using library and/or Internet resources and
study about the contributions of Asian Americans. They use a copy of the Famous Asian Americans work sheet to use for their research.
Curated OER
Japanese Culture--Comparing the Japanese Educational System to the American
Students study the Japanese educational system and compare and contrast it to the American system. They discuss a typical school day in America and what they believe a typical day is for a Japanese student. Next they write an editorial...
Penguin Books
Teacher's Guide: When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
Julie Otsuka's haunting novel, When the Emperor Was Devine, is the subject of a 14-page teacher's guide. The guide includes the text of an interview with Otsuka, background information about Japanese immigration to the United States, and...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
History of Immigration From the 1850s to the Present
The Statue of Liberty may embrace the huddled masses of the world, but has American society always joined in? After young historians read a passage about the history of American immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on...
Curated OER
Letters from the Japanese American Internment
Students make deductions about life in an internment camp by reading and comparing letters written to Clara Breed. Along the way, they consider the advantages of looking at a historical event from the multiple points of view of...
Curated OER
Up Close with Author Allen Say
Students explore the Asian-American culture. They read several books written by Japanese-American author Allen Say and create questions to ask the author. Students write letters to the author.
Curated OER
Where Is Japan? How Are We Alike And Different?
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.
Curated OER
Artifacts: What Am I?
Young scholars practice simple Japanese expressions. They explore the information available from artifacts. Groups of students attempt to figure out other groups culture by examining a series of artifacts in a paper bag.
Curated OER
What Masks Reveal
Young scholars explore the cultural significance of masks by investigating the role they play in ceremonies and on special occasions in societies from widely separated regions of the world.
Curated OER
Silk Dragons - Activity 1
Students investigate and discuss Japanese art and culture through an online video and a KWL chart. This lesson plan is an introduction to Japanese art with two supplemental lessons provided for further activities.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Change of View: George C. Wallace
Who exactly was George C. Wallace? A great lesson plan provides young historians with a hands-on activity, direct instruction, and discussion to learn about Wallace, why he was an important figure, and why he changed his mind about...
Curated OER
Japanese and American Values
Ninth graders compare and contrast the values that Americans and Japanese people deem as important. They use the internet and the school media center to find the information in order to answer research based questions.
Curated OER
Year of the Impossible Goodbyes by Sook Nyul Choi
Young scholars analyze Korean culture from their literature piece. They investigate the theme of oppression by an occupying army. Students encounter courage, resistance movements and explore the underground railroads.
Curated OER
The Paper Dress - Circa 1968
You won't believe your eyes when you see these dresses made out of paper. Students create paper dresses by modifying a pattern provided by the teacher, and decorate the dress using 1960's style art. What a fantastic and motivating...
Curated OER
Journey to Japan: An Elementary Geography Standards-Based Unit on Japan
Second graders compare and contrast Japanese customs and culture to those of Americans through research in this year long study. They determine the basic needs of all people in spite of cultural differences.
National Park Service
Remembering Pearl Harbor: The USS Arizona Memorial
Young historians use primary source materials to investigate the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the sinking of the USS Arizona. After reading background articles and studying maps and images of the attack, class members consider whether...
Japan Society
National Identity and Literature from Okinawa
A lesson plan originally designed around the short story "Mr. Saito of Heaven Building" by Yamanokuchi Baku, this resource provides historical background, discussion questions, and brief writing assignments that help your class explore...
Curated OER
Supporting Opinions - Ken from Japan
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 four-paragraph...
Curated OER
Making A Karuta Game
Students explore the culture of Japan be creating a traditional Japanese game called Karuta. They conduct research in order to find the rules for the game and to make cultural connections. The content of the game is modified according to...
Curated OER
Manga and Me
Upper elementary and middle school learners study Manga cartooning and create a Japanese character based on their own features and personalities. This style of cartooning is easily-accessible for most students. With a little practice,...
Curated OER
Japanese Manners and Life Style
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...