Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Lesson: You Too Can Haiku

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Here's a creative lesson for students to examine various haikus, and Japanese culture, then write their own haiku poem, and illustrate it using watercolors! Provides plenty of links to more information, a thorough explanation of the...
Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

Huntington Library: Garden Lesson Plans: Gyotaku: Japanese Fish Printing [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
An activity where students learn about the koi, an important symbol in Japanese culture, and create a gyotaku fish printing. This is designed to be done in conjunction with a visit to a Japanese garden but can be easily adapted.
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Wide Angle: A Look at a Japanese Classroom

For Students 9th - 10th
In a video segment, learn about education in Japan by watching Ken, a first-grader, attend school. [3:02]
Website
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Web Japan: Language

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Examine the some of the thousands of characters that make up the Japanese written language. A simple explanation of the different kinds of characters and their uses helps you figure out how the Japanese language works.
Handout
History Link

Bertha Pitts Campbell: An Oral History

For Students 9th - 10th
From the Washington State Oral History Project comes this captivating interview with Bertha Pitts Campbell, an African American woman and early Seattle civil rights worker. Campbell talks about the discrimination and segregation she...