Lesson Plan
Other

Kodak: Social Studies Lesson Plans

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This Kodak site has twelve lesson plans submitted by teachers from every grade level. Each activity integrates photography into the lesson.
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...
Website
Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet: Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
Lonely Planet provides an overview of Japan's history. Also includes information about Japan's culture, geography, demographics, and more.
Handout
Art Cyclopedia

Artcyclopedia: Hishikawa Moronobu

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers links to images in museums and galleries and articles on the artist.
Website
Other

J Music: Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute)

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides information about Japan's traditional bamboo flute, the Shakuhachi. Includes a movie of the instrument being played.
Graphic
Other

Mandala: The Symphony of Friendship

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site illustrates the history behind the tradition of playing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at Christmastime in Japan. This story is written and illustrated for children. Includes a sound file of a portion of the ninth symphony.
Website
Other

Oriland Oriveristy: Learn Origami

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn the basics of origami and the art of paper folding.
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion: Collections

For Students 9th - 10th
The Krannert Art Museum provides a great collection of artwork from all over the world. Click on "collections" to access images of African, Egyptian, America-Pre-Columbian, USA, Ancient Gandhara, China, India, Japan, Thailand, Greece,...
Website
Columbia University

Asia for Educators: Medieval Japan Multimedia Unit

For Students 9th - 10th
This unit from the extensive Asia for Educator's site provides audio, video and lecture materials from well-credentialed Asian studies professors to explore Japan's medieval period, from 1000-1500 A.D. Topics include the Samurai,...
Article
Other

Japan Society: Framing Twentieth Century Japan: A Top Ten List

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay, by university professor William Tsutsui, itemizes ten themes that can help make the story of modern-day Japan understandable. Themes touch on a range of issues, including the changing role of women, technological advances, and...
Interactive
New York Times

New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Japan Crossword Puzzle

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Here is an interactive & printable crossword puzzle developed by the New York Times Learning Network. The theme of this puzzle is Japan.
Website
Other

Women in World History Curriculum/murasaki Shikibu

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a biography of Murasaki Shikibu, the writer of The Tale of Genji.
Graphic
New York Times

New York Times: The Fortune Cookie: A History

For Students 9th - 10th
Evidence points to fortune cookies originating in Japan, not China as most people assume. Here is a brief video presentation discussing the roots of the fortune cookies and how they became linked to Chinese culture. [1:21]
Website
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Web Japan: Nipponia

For Students 9th - 10th
Nipponia is an online magazine, published quarterly, that introduces modern Japan to people all over the world. Browse articles on life and culture, travel and history, science and technology, art and entertainment, nature and geography,...
Website
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Education in Japan 1860

For Students 9th - 10th
Fordham University gives a short selection from Francis O. Adams' account of Japanese schools in 1860.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Japan Memoirs of a Secret Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
A rich site that tells of an ancient kingdom of warriors, tradesmen and artists that would influence the modern world.
Article
Other

Joseph Wu Origami: What Is Origami?

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief history of the art of Origami by Joseph Wu. Basic techniques, types of paper, and terminology are discussed.
Graphic
Curated OER

Japanese Whaler

For Students 9th - 10th
BBC News article concerning Inuit whaling practices and current regulations. Includes information on Inuit culture and international laws.
Graphic
Curated OER

Japanese Girls Standing in Front of a Fence and a Tree, Letellier, Manitoba

For Students 9th - 10th
Immigration and the Canadian experience are portrayed by Library and Archives Canada through the eyes of photographs. Presented are images of of immigrant Canadians who helped to build the Canadian ideal of multiculturalism and the...
Handout
White Pine Pictures

White Pine Pictures: The Wanderer, the Story of Rev. Sang Chui Lee

For Students 9th - 10th
Reverend Sang-Chui Lee is a Korean immigrant to Canada who had converted to Christianity in response to the Japanese occupation of Manchuria and Korea. He later became a United Church minister. His three daughters married non-Koreans...
Website
Other

Excerpts From the Writings of Lady Murasaki

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides excerpts of the writings of Murasaki Shikibu, the author of "The Tale of Gengji," providing an interesting glimpse of the woman.
Website
Other

Pacific University: Murasaki Shikibu

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Pacific University gives a brief but informative look at the life and times of Murasaki Shikibu.
Graphic
Curated OER

Unesco: Japan: Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu Ji Area

For Students 9th - 10th
There are around 48 Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area, in Nara Prefecture. Several date from the late 7th or early 8th century, making them some of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world. These masterpieces of wooden...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

For Students 9th - 10th
Selected (7) reading passages (grades 8-11) to pair with the memoir "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Wakatsuki. [Free account registration required for specific tools.]