Students research the culture of feudal Japan. They discuss shoguns, emperors and clans. They practice writing Japanese letters.

Students analyze artist's themes and means of communication, think critically about their sources of information, and weigh claims of national security against the civil liberties of diverse groups.

Fourth graders determine how executive orders affected individuals and families of mixed parentage. They relate evacuation to own life experiences.

Young scholars are introduced to the traditional form of lacquerware painting in Japan. Students imitate Japanese lacquerware techniques using paper plates, gesso and tempera paints.

A link to a beautiful Animoto presentation is included, giving examples of primary sources that a student might want to contact when doing research. Using the Topaz Internment Camp in Utah as a sample topic, middle schoolers view a slide...

What have US-Japanese relations been like since the conclusion of World War II? Why do some commentators identify Japan's postwar years as a subordinate independence? Invite your young historians to research Japan's status in the world...

Fifth graders examine the reasons behind Japanese-Americans being interned during parts of World War II. They view this topic from multiple viewpoints. They discover how internment affected their lives.

Students conduct research and explain in a speech why Japanese Canadians were not a threat to Canada during the Second World War.

Students explore the links between Japanese and British culture. In this Japanese music lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding Gagaku music and then perform "Te Lucis Ante Terminum" with Japanese...

Students become familiar with family crests in general and Japanese family crests in particular. Students become familiar with the history of Japanese family crests.

Fifth graders explore women's rights by discussing the events of WWII. In this American work force lesson, 5th graders identify the events that led to World War II and how women helped fight the war through non-violent efforts. Students...

Learners are introduced to the concept of Japanese internment and Relocation during World War II. Through class discussion and case study, students trace the internment of Japanese Americans from the beginning of World Ward II to the...

Students research how citizens from the United States respond to the onset, duration and aftermath of World War II. They view clips from the movie "Swing Shift" and discuss the roles of civilians, minorities and military personnel. They...

Students create artistic representations of various cyclical patterns after analyzing the importance of cyclical psychology in Japanese culture. This lesson can be done in an Art class or as part of a unit in a History or Language Arts...

Students explore the similarities of the Japanese-American experience in WWII and Arab-American experience in post-September 11 US policy. They create presentations on their reflections and express themselves through poetry, dance,...

Students are introduced to the concept of Japanese relocation and internment. Through class discussion and case study, students trace the internment experience of artist Estelle Ishigo. They explain the conditions she experienced before,...

What kid isn't interested in Cell phones? They are technical and to operate them you must read an informational text. Older elementary students read an informational text, match vocabulary words with their meanings, and create sentences...

Who was Vincent van Gogh? Most of the questions can be answered in two or three sentences; however, there is at least one essay prompt and one personal response question that require longer answers. Questions call for a good mix of...

Examine human resilience across two texts with a detailed unit. Over the course of a week, learners will conduct a close reading of excerpts from Unbroken and Farewell to Manzanar. The resource includes clear procedures for reading and...

Jamie Ford’s historical novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, explores the relationship between a young Chinese American boy and a Japanese American girl set against the backdrop of Seattle during World War II. The teaching...

Students research the history and characteristics of haiku poetry using books and the Internet. They use Kid Pix to create and present original haiku.

Originally designed by an American language teacher teaching in a public Japanese junior high, this instructional activity could easily be used for any beginning or intermediate level ESL class. With this plan, your class will review two...

Students identify formal elements that characterize the scroll, work in a variety of media, from traditional to digital, to create their own scrolls, work into digital printout with at least two media, and engage in meaningful critiques...

Students label assembly centers and relocation camps on a given map of the United States in order to create a better understanding of the relocation experience of Japanese-American citizens and the distance that families had to move and...