Curated OER
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks
Students are introduced to the time of the samurai warriors using the guided reading of "The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks". The teacher reads the story to the students and they make connections from the text about the history of the samurai.
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Destiny Determined: Power & Ritual in Asia
Learners brainstorm a list of symbols that represent our cultural values. They research symbols of China and Japan. Students create a timeline showing how symbols have evolved in these two countries. They view the video "Showing the...
Curated OER
Feudal Japan: S.P.A.M. (Samurai, Peasants, Artisans, Merchants)
Ninth graders participate in a role play activity to explain the hierarchy of society in feudal Japan. They investigate the rice growing system in place.
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Country: Japan
Students observe live Webcam views of Japan. They study its economy, government, and culture through paintings and facts. They label a map of Japan with its cities and rivers.
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Japanese Religion (Shinto)
Fifth graders explore the relationship between the early Japanese religion of Shinto and the natural phenomena of Japan. They engage in Day 3 of the Warlords of Japan simulation.
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The Finer Things in Life
Momoyama and Edo are periods in Japanese history that can be defined culturally and artistically. Learners explore and discuss how the samurai used sword guards and grip enhancers. Pupils read the story "The Inch-High Samurai," examine...
Curated OER
Kodomo No Hi: Children's Day Celebration
Children's Day is a beloved Japanese holiday with many colorful and engaging traditions. On this national holiday celebrated yearly on May 5, children are honored for their strengths and given good wishes for happiness. Your younger...
Asian Art Museum
Create Your Own Suit of Armor
Here is a fun activity that kids will love. They don't just study samurai, they get to be a samurai! They'll use the provided template to create their very own suits of samurai armor. The template included fits a small child; for older...
Curated OER
Experiencing Japanese Feudalism
Students identify that a system of feudalism similar to that of medieval Europe developed in Japan by 1300. Students identify the social hierarchy of feudal Japan. Students identify what the cultural basis for the relationships among...
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Japanese Fans
Young scholars create individual examples of Japanese fans in this arts-based lesson on the history of Japanese fan making. Resource links and ideas for the creative portion of the lesson are provided.
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Narrow Road to the Interior
Students investigate the life and work of the Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho as the Japanese poetic forms are studied. Nature, symbolism, and history are probed as the lesson is developed.
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Writing Japanese Stories (Grades 6-8)
Middle schoolers listen to several Japanese stories and write their own Japanese-style stories, which they share with the class.
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Japanese Warriors
Students compare and contrast the warriors in Japanese history, folktales, and art to the kinds of soldiers American children learn about. This lesson includes possible lesson enrichments.
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Haiku
Students work collaboratively to create a class Haiku and illustrate the poem individually in this elementary school lesson. The lesson includes five possible enrichment activities.
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Noh Theater
Students explore the roles in Noh drama and the significance of Noh masks while creating their own version of a Noh play in this High School activity adaptable for either the Language Arts or Theater classroom.
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Japanese Tall Tales
Students 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 side...
Asian Art Museum
Telling Tales with Kamishibai
Kamishibai (paper drama), is a Japanese form of storytelling that uses emakimono (paper picture scrolls), to relay a moral lesson. As part of a series of resources that examine Japanese art and artists, learners watch a video...
Curated OER
Writing Ghost Stories Using Encounter With a Skull As a Model
Students 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.
EMC
The Inn of Lost Time Reader's Resource
Introduce "The Inn of Lost Time" by Lensey Namioka to your middle schoolers with a reader's resource page. It includes links to different activities, including a creative writing prompt about losing fifty years of your life, and a...
Curated OER
Medieval Europe: Feudalism
Eighth graders study European society during the medieval period. They investigate the feudal social structure and how it influenced daily life. They study Japanese society during the medieval period. They compare and contrast the...
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Age Brings Wisdom -- Learning to Respect Elders
Students read a story about a young Japanese boy and his mother who decide to not banish the community's elders to the hills. They create origami helmets. They work together to make posters appreciating senior citizens.
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The Treaty of Kanagawa
For this world history worksheet, high schoolers read a selection about the Treaty of Kanagawa as well as Internet articles about the topic and then respond to 8 short answer questions.
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The Fall of the Roman Empire and the Armenian Tragedy of 1915
Students examine the fall of the Roman Empire and the Armenian tragedy. In this world history lesson, students read handouts about both world history events and create presentations that feature the events.
Curated OER
Legends of the Fifth
Fifth graders discover the difference between myths, legends, and folk tales. They summarize legends. They work together to dramatize legends and then create their own legend using the writing process. Handouts and worksheets are included.