"Tora no Maki" or "Scroll of the Tiger" is a teacher's guide designed to aid in teaching appropriate standards for social studies content and skills, using a contemporary focus on Japan's culture and economy. Topics of the 22 lessons include: group culture, school population, economics, geography, the Internet, family values,…

This partially annotated bibliography contains selected resource materials about Central Asia/Inner Asia for use with the secondary school social studies curriculum. Part 1 provides a list of eight organizations that specialize in the study of Central Asia, while Part 2 contains a collection of seven reference works. Part 3 offers six English…

This document discusses a rationale and alternative strategies for teaching about China. Topics include China as: (1) a communist nation; (2) as a developing economic and political power; (3) as a country with a rich historical and traditional culture; and (4) as a powerful contrast to Eurocentrism. Ideas and institutions are suggested as a core…

This curriculum unit is the final volume of a four-part series. Noting that the humanities reveal the values and beliefs that underlie social, political, and economic institutions, the unit contends that the study of other countries and their histories may be greatly enriched by a humanities approach that draws on the fields of literature,…

California State Standard 7.3 is delineated in the following manner: "Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structure of the civilizations of China in the middle ages." Seventh-grade students focus on the reunification of China under the Tang Dynasty and reasons for the spread of Buddhism;…

Inner and Central Asia extends as far east as central China and as far west as areas in the Middle East. The changing empires over time (as well as the "shifting sands" of the geographic landmass) made it difficult to consider this as a single area. Moreover, the cultural exchanges which took place across this landmass, the transport of…

Presents a secondary lesson reviewing U.S.-Chinese relations from 1900 until the end of the Korean War. Suggests that the United States made several diplomatic mistakes during that period. Includes step-by-step teaching procedures, a timeline, and a short student reading. (CFR)

The nonfiction literature of the Vietnam War is accessible and engaging to students, and it deals with issues that speaks to students in powerful ways. In addition, the literature can help students better understand their parents and grandparents and the effect on them of the Vietnam War. A number of teachers who have taught the nonfiction…

Tomb art provides an invaluable window into China's history and culture. The understanding that spirits of dead ancestors can exert power and influence over the lives of their descendants has been a central tenet of the Chinese belief system, propelling the culture into practices ensuring the provision of comfort and status to the deceased in…

This teacher's guide contains six lessons, including eight folktales, for using folktales from Japan and China in the elementary classroom. Specific objectives, materials, background notes, discussion questions, follow-up activities and a bibliography also are included. Each lesson takes approximately 1-3 class periods but are flexible for use.…

This book provides students with information about culture and trace important historical events that have brought this nation to its current position in the 20th century. Each chapter provides background information along with a glossary, student activities, and project suggestions. Chapters include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "The…

This paper presents a study unit on Japan for elementary students which can be adapted for any level. Lessons include: (1) "Video Traveling Activities To Accompany Students on Their Journey to Japan"; (2) "Travel Brochure"; (3) "Discovering Culture by Using a Realia Kit"; (4) "Comparative Geography Using the Five…

The curriculum projects in this collection focus on diverse aspects of China, the most populous nation on the planet. The 16 projects in the collection are: (1) "Proposed Secondary Education Asian Social Studies Course with an Emphasis on China" (Jose Manuel Alvarino); (2) "Education in China: Tradition and Transition" (Sue…

This resource packet was compiled by a participant in the Fulbright Summer Seminar on Indonesia. The materials provide information for teaching about the diaspora of Hinduism and Islamic beliefs throughout the southeast Asia archipelagoes and their influence on art and culture. The handouts supplement information on Indonesia as part of an Asian…

This unit introduces students to the historical tradition of a non-Western nation seen within the comparative concept of feudalism. This is done partly through a look at Tokugawa Japan and partly through a comparative examination of the concept of feudalism. Although the unit deals mainly with a specific time span in Japanese history, it also…