Featured Content
Resource: Easy Recipes
These easy Japanese recipes are suitable for use in the elementary classroom. In addition to introducing Japanese culture, they can be used to reinforce math and nutrition concepts.
Resource: Annotated Bibliography of Japanese Handscrolls
These interactive sites display reproductions of classic Japanese hand scrolls complete with concise explanations. With the freedom of moving about the scrolls and zooming in and out, the viewer absorbs the intricate detail of Japanese hand scrolls.
Essay: Is that really funny? – humor and identity in Japan and China
Cambridge University historian Barak Kushner looks at how to use the humor to understand how Japan and China have understood one another. Includes references to good primary sources.
Resource: Japan's Response to H1N1 Swine Flu
H1N1 swine flu has been dominating the media recently in Japan. This collection of links to both Japanese and American news articles traces the reaction to the outbreak and suggests various ways to cover the topic in class.
Lesson: Living Efficiently: Daily Energy-Saving Practices from Totoro and Today
Grade Level: Elementary,SecondarySubject Area: Science & Environmental Science
Hayao Miyazaki's much beloved film, My Neighbor Totoro, is used to spark discussion about daily energy-saving practices.
Essay: Japan's Forests: Good Days and Bad --Rhythms of Damage and Recovery -
Japan historian Conrad Totman provides an overview of Japanese history from the viewpoint of the relation between humans and forests. This view of history incorporates the relationship between environmental, political, technological, and economic history.premodern Japan
Essay: What's the Matter with Saying 'The Orient'?
Yale professor Chris Hill argues against using terms like "the Orient" and "the Far East" and offers suggestions for alternatives.
Resource: American Education About Japan: James Hunt
The Honorable James Hunt, Former Governor of North Carolina, makes a strong and practical case for the inclusion of Asia in the PreK-12 curriculum in this August 24, 2007 speech.
Resource: Annotated Bibliography of Websites about East Asia Designed for K-12 Educators
Selective listing of websites about East Asia designed with the K-12 educator in mind. Most sites feature lesson plans and other practical resources for use in the classroom.
