Cobblestone Publishing Kamishibai for Kids - Jackson School of ...

National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) Classroom Materials Descriptions 

Cobblestone Publishing 

Back issues – all back issues are $5.95 each. 

http://www.cobblestonepub.com 

Appleseeds Magazine – Ages 7-9 

Appleseeds magazine is a theme-based publication for children in grades 2-4 designed to enrich their 

learning experience in subjects from math and social studies to science and reading. Two back issues 

have China themes: Beijing and Children of Ancient China. New in January 2008, Who Did What in 

Ancient China. 

Calliope Magazine – Ages 9-14 

Calliope magazine presents curriculum mandated world history themes for grades 5 –10. Most issues 

include maps, timelines, activities, and photos. These East Asia themes have been the focus of back 

issues: Buddhism, Confucius, Daoism (Taoism), Han Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Samurai, Shi-Huangdi, 

China, Shintoism, Silk Road, Song Dynasty, and Tang Dynasty. A China theme pack including an 

teachers’ guide is also available. 

Faces Magazine – Ages 9-14 

Faces magazine shows readers how the people of the world live, think, work, and play. Designed for 

grades 4 – 9. Several issues on East Asia are available: Hong Kong, Korea, Rice, Taiwan, and Tibet. 

Kamishibai for Kids 

Each kamishibai consists of 12-16 stiff, oaktag cards (15” x 11”), illustrated by Japanese artists. Printed 

on the back of the cards are the original Japanese text to the story and its English translation. In 

Japanese, kami means paper and shibai means drama. 

http://www.kamishibai.com 

Momotaro, the Peach Boy - Ages 3 & Up 

A baby found inside a peach grows into a boy of amazing strength and rescues his village from 

marauding ogres. 

Urashima Taro - Ages 8 & Up 

This mysterious folktale along the lines of "Rip van Winkle" tells of a kind of fisherman granted a visit to 

the Dragon's undersea palace. During a three-day sojourn inside the palace, many years pass in the 

human world. 

The Story of Tanabata - Ages 6 & Up 

The love of a young herdsman for a beautiful weaver causes both to neglect their duties. As punishment, 

the Heavenly Ruler sends them to opposite sides of the Milky Way. They are transformed into the stars 

Altair and Vega, destined to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month - an event 

celebrated throughout East Asia. 

Hats for the Jizos - Ages 4 & Up 

A poor old man and his wife are rewarded on New Year's Eve for their unselfish generosity. 

The One Inch Boy - Ages 3-8 

Despite his tiny stature, the One-Inch Boy proves himself by using his knowledge and strength of 

character to prevail in difficult situations. 

The Mouse’s Wedding - Ages 3 & Up 

Japan's answer to Mighty Mouse! Father Mouse sets off to find the mightiest creature in the world for his 

daughter to marry. He approaches the Sun, the Cloud, the Wind and the Wall, but he learns the mouse is 

mightiest of all. 

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Bamboo Princess - Ages 6 & Up 

A baby girl discovered inside a bamboo stalk becomes a fables beauty whose destiny lies far off in the 

starry sky. 

The Monkey and the Crab - Ages 5 & Up 

A greedy monkey betrays a trusting crab and steals her delicious persimmon fruit. The crab's children, 

with the help of clever companions, teach the monkey a lesson. 

National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) 

http://downloads.ncss.org/publications/NCSSCatalog08.pdf 

Tora No Maki I, II, and III: Lessons for Teaching About Contemporary Japan $8.00 – Elementary to 

Secondary 

These resources were co-published by the National Clearinghouse for U.S.-Japan Studies, the ERIC 

Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, and the National Council for the Social 

Studies in 1997, 1998, and 1999 respectively. Designed for the K-12 classroom, the Tora no Maki series 

is essential for those who teach about Japan or simply want to know more about the country. Ready-touse 

lesson plans discuss cultural, social, economic and political subjects including such topics as 

Japanese family, ways of doing business, schooling and lifestyles, economic policies, and attitudes 

toward the environment. Order just one or all three. 

Nippon Nyumon: An Idea Book for Teaching Japanese Economics $8.00 – Elementary to 

Secondary 

This resource has been co-published by the National Clearinghouse for U.S.-Japan Studies, the ERIC 

Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, and the National Council for the Social 

Studies in 1999. Nippon Nyumon: An Idea Book for Teaching Japanese Economic Topics is the first 

source book on teaching Japanese economic topics exclusively devoted to the K-12 level. As part of the 

1998 Keizai Koho Center Fellowships Program, educators from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, 

and the United States authored the 20 chapters comprising this publication. Each chapter provides 

background information, extensive primary source materials, pedagogical applications, a bibliography, 

and a list of Internet resources. 

University of Hawai’i 

http://www.hawaii.edu/crdg/howto 

China: Understanding Its Past - Secondary 

This secondary school textbook, developed by the University of Hawai’i Curriculum Research & 

Development Group, uses role-playing, simulations, debates, primary documents, first-person accounts, 

excerpts from literary works, and cooperative learning activities to help students explore key aspects of 

China’s history and culture. The book focuses on three topics: family, state and society in imperial China; 

China in transition since the 19 th century; and the transformation in Chinese society resulting from 

Chinese Communism. Curriculum Research and Development Group and University of Hawai’i Press. 

1998. 

Student Book $24.00 

Teacher Manual $29.00 

CD $20.00 

The Rise of Modern Japan - Secondary 

This text book highlights key aspects of Japan’s history and culture from the Tokugawa era to the 

present. It includes role-plays, primary documents, first-person accounts, diary entries, excerpts from 

literary works, songs and poems, as well as maps and timelines, charts and grafts, and political cartoons. 

Chapter One concerns the Edo Period. Chapter Two examines Japan’s rapid modernization during the 

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Taisho and Showa periods. Chapter Three focuses on the American occupation and Japan’s subsequent 

rise as an economic power. The separate Teacher Manual is organized like the student text in three 

chapters and includes supplementary information. The compact disc The Rise of Modern Japan: Musical 

Selections complements the book. Curriculum Research & Development Group and University of Hawaii 

Press. 2003. 

Student Book $30.00 

Teacher Manual $40.00 

CD $20.00 

Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) 

http://spice.stanford.edu/catalog 

China: 

An Introduction to Sovereignty: A Case Study of Taiwan $54.95 - Secondary to Community College 

This curriculum unit examines the key issue of sovereignty and provides an in-depth look at the unique 

status of Taiwan among nations of the world. While Taiwan has control over its internal affairs (domestic 

sovereignty), the island does not have international legal sovereignty, which would confirm its status as 

an independent country. Despite this lack, Taiwan has evolved into an economic powerhouse and has 

successfully developed and maintained international relations with many independent countries. 

Taiwan's success in international relations raises the unit's key question: Does Taiwan need international 

legal sovereignty to successfully exist? Includes lectures on videotape. 2004. 

10,000 Shovels: China’s Urbanization and Economic Development $29.95 - Upper Secondary to 

Community College 

Since the late 1970s, China has experienced unparalleled economic growth. For many people, this is an 

exciting time, but not everyone is happy. Problems such as the income gap, lax environmental practices 

and forced relocation are just some of the economic problems that have appeared. This unit examines 

the causes and effects of China’s development boom and encourages students to evaluate and 

appreciate its benefits and costs. The unit is split into two lessons. The first lesson introduces students to 

modern China via a short documentary film that illustrates rapid urbanization of the Pearl River Delta. The 

second lesson consists of a collection of short interdisciplinary activities that are designed to engage 

students in the analysis of the documentary film and encourages students to consider the importance of 

urbanization in their own lives. This unit is accompanied by a DVD, Ten Thousand Shovels. 2006. 

China and the World in 2010: An Introduction to Future Studies $39.95 - Secondary to Community 

College 

This unit on “future studies” uses China as a case study to familiarize students with several research tools 

that futurists use to make educated guesses about the future. Each lesson includes an activity in which 

students are introduced to selected futurist tools, including: historic analogies, cross-impact matrices, 

statistical models, brainstorming, and simulations. Topics covered include historical events in China’s 

history, population growth, and economic and environmental issues in China. Appropriate for high school 

students. Included in this publication is an individual lesson plan entitled “The Decision-Maker’s 

Flowchart,” described as a study of the regions of China that introduces students to China’s geographic 

and economic diversity. 1998. 

China's Cultural Revolution $59.95 - Secondary to Community College 

This unit teaches students about the social, cultural, political, and economic changes that occurred in 

China from 1966-1976 during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and the impact they had on 

individual lives, the country, and the world. Lesson One provides students with an overview of the 20 th 

century China before the revolution. Lesson Two teaches students about the major events of the 

revolution and offers primary sources to examine. Lesson Three teaches students about propaganda art. 

Lesson Four is used in conjunction with Red Scarf Girl, a memoir of a Chinese girl. Lastly, in Lesson Five, 

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students examine the treatment of the revolution in several textbooks from Taiwan, the U.S., and China. 

2005. 

Chinese Dynasties: Part One: The Shang Dynasty through the Tang Dynasty (1600 BCE- 907 CE) 

$59.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

This unit introduces students to the first 2,500 years of Chinese history and offers students an in-depth 

view of Chinese civilization. This unit has six lessons exploring in-depth the six different dynasties: 

Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang. Accompanying this unit is a CD of 47 images. 2006. 

Chinese Dynasties: Part Two: The Song Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty (960 to 1911 CE) 

$59.95 – Secondary 

This unit introduces students to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 CE), Ming 

Dynasty (1368-1644 CE) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE). This unit offers students an in-depth 

view of Chinese civilization from the golden age of the Song dynasty to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and 

the end of the dynastic system. Also includes a CD with 39 images and 4 transparencies. 2007. 

The Concept of Order in Ancient China $34.95 - Middle School to Secondary 

A goal of most world history classes is to introduce students to the many ways humans have tried to 

create social order over time. In this unit, students learn about the Han Dynasty of China, which 

successfully united China for over 400 years (202 BCE until 220 CE). Small group activities requiring the 

use of multiple intelligences explore how the Chinese created unity through music, philosophy, politics, 

agriculture, and language. Includes audiotape. 1995. 

Demystifying the Chinese Language $34.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

A multi-lesson unit that provides activities for writing and decoding Chinese characters, while leading 

students to explore and draw broader conclusions about the origins and use of human language. Grades 

3-9. 1980, rev. 1995. 

Ethnic Minority Groups in China $49.95 - Secondary 

Students explore issues such as identity, ethnogenesis, sovereignty, ecology, and stereotyping through 

studying the experiences of four ethnic minority groups in China: the Hui, Tibetans, Mongols, and the 

Miao (related to the Hmong of Southeast Asia). Students are encouraged to compare and contrast the 

situation of each Chinese minority group to those of societies outside of China. 2003. 

Hong Kong in Transition: A Look at Economic Interdependence $36.95 - Secondary 

This unit examines the issues surrounding Hong Kong’s return to China. Beginning with the historical 

background, especially the economic ties between England and China in the 19 th century, the unit 

continues into the modern era. Students are exposed to economic cause and effect through the 

perspective of the tourist industry. What would you do if you were a Japanese tourist in Hong Kong and 

the value of the yen plummeted, causing your hotel room to essentially triple in price? Students will be 

asked to consider that and more when they participate as virtual tourists on a simulated business trip to 

Hong Kong. They will then analyze the implications for business, acting as tourism officials in the midst of 

an economic crisis. In the final lesson, a readers’ theater recreates elements of the 1997 handover from 

British to Chinese rule. This 77-page unit includes 29 slides, a videotape, and five maps. 1999. 

Rabbit in the Moon: Folktales from China and Japan $44.95 - Elementary 

This teaching unit consists of eight folktales from China and Japan, skill-development exercises, and 

follow-up activities. It is easily adaptable to a large range of age levels and abilities. It can be used in 

several curriculum areas, including social studies, multicultural studies, and language arts and literature. 

Chinese and Japanese folktales illustrate the similarities and differences in the human experience over 

time and space. Students will explore timeless values and understand how those values are expressed 

through culture. Includes 51 slides. 1995. 

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Religions and Philosophies in China: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism $59.95 – Middle 

School to Secondary 

The study of China is not complete without exploration of the historical roots and practice of its three main 

religions and philosophies: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. This award-winning curriculum unit 

uses a variety of activities and resources to learn about these world religions and philosophies in a 

Chinese context. Throughout each lesson, students are encouraged to compare and contrast each 

religion and philosophy as well as to think critically about the universality and modern-day applicability of 

their tenets. Includes 37 slides. 2002. 

Traditional Chinese Celebrations: Continuity and Change in Taiwan $29.95 – Elementary to Middle 

School 

Four lessons, one on each of four major Chinese festivals, introduce Chinese culture at an elementary 

school level. Each lesson includes four slides. Festivals covered are: The Lantern Festival (which 

concludes the Lunar New Year Festival,) Tomb Sweeping (or Qing Ming), Dragon Boat Festival, and the 

Moon (or Mid-Autumn) Festival. Student activities and discussion questions lead students to identify the 

similarities and differences between Chinese and U.S. cultural traditions. (Note: Pictures were taken in 

Taiwan, but can be used to illustrate the culture of mainland China as well.) 1985. 

Japan: 

An Introduction to Japanese Buddhist Art $39.95 - Middle School to Secondary 

This unit introduces students to expressions of Buddhism in art in the Japanese context. Lessons on art 

history, Buddhism, religious institutions, and curatorial practices encourage students to see art in more 

ways than one. Students also learn about Buddhism's basic tenets and practices, and develop an 

appreciation for Buddhist cultural achievements by studying images of Buddhism. Features art of the 

Ruth and Sherman Lee Institute of Japanese Art at the Clark Center, Hanford, CA. Includes CD-ROM 

and daruma doll. 2004. 

Castle Towns: An Introduction to Tokugawa Japan $44.95 - Middle School to Secondary 

This unit is a slide-based introduction to life in Japan during the late feudal period (16 th -19 th centuries). 

The slides focus on architecture and defense features of the castle, the rise of castle towns as nascent 

urban centers, and on those who lived in the castle towns. A castle town maze, an activity designed for 7 th 

to 9 th grade students, adds a first-hand sense of how towns were established to protect the castle from 

opposing forces. Supplementary materials for both students and teachers can be used to extend the unit. 

1981. 

Civil Rights and Japanese-American Internment $179.95 – Secondary to Community College 

This six-lesson curriculum module offers students the opportunity to consider civil right issues in the 

context of the Japanese-American experience during the immigration years and during World War II. 

Videos, books, and photographs. 2001. 

Cooperation in Japan, Elementary Literature Series: Part I $42.95 – Elementary 

Utilizes primary source material and 32 slides to introduce themes of cooperation, working as a team, and 

sacrifice for the common good in Japanese culture. The story “Fly, Big Carp Streamer” uses a story about 

the custom of flying fish-shaped banners on Children’s Day (May 5) as an entry point for explorations of 

cultural themes. Children can help make a carp-shaped banner for the class. Another lesson focuses on 

the Japanese custom of School Sports Day. 1990. 

Diamonds in the Rough: Baseball and Japanese-American Internment $64.95 – Middle School to 

Secondary 

The purpose of this curricular guide is not only to introduce Japanese-American internment through the 

prism of baseball but also to encourage students to consider civil liberties during times of crisis. This 

guide (with accompanying book and documentary DVD) can be used as a supplement to SPICE’s 

comprehensive curriculum unit, Civil Rights and Japanese-American Internment. 2004. 

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Discovery Box: Exploring Culture Through Artifacts $19.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

Most students have a natural interest in objects that are not familiar to them. This unit helps capture this 

interest and use it to develop object literacy while teaching about another culture. Students learn to look 

at objects with the eye of an anthropologist or an artist, improving their skills of both observation and 

inquiry, while drawing tentative conclusions about the culture they are studying. Includes lessons using 

Japan as an example, but can be adapted for any culture. 1985, revised 1995. 

Episodes in the History of U.S.-Japan Relations: Case Studies of Conflict, Conflict Management 

and Resolution $49.95 – Secondary to Community College 

This unit examines conflicts between the U.S. and Japan and cultural responses to those conflicts. 

Lesson One, “Early Interactions,” sets the stage for Lesson Two, “Japanese Immigration to the United 

States.” Lesson Three, “Pearl Harbor,” and Lesson Four, “Hiroshima,” focus on the two most infamous 

episodes of conflict between the two nations. Lesson Five, “The Occupation,” and Lesson Six, “The 50 th 

Anniversary of Pearl Harbor,” deal with the aftermath of those WWII conflicts. 1993. 

Haiku Moment: Seeing the World in a Grain of Sand, Elementary $31.95 – Elementary 

Writing activities accompanied by slides and an audiotape of haiku and Japanese music introduce 

students to the world of Japanese aesthetics and poetry. Includes 12 slides and an audiotape. 1995. 

Haiku Moment: Seeing the World in a Grain of Sand, Secondary $34.95 – Secondary 

An essential tool for introducing the world of haiku, this unit will allow students to explore Japanese 

aesthetics and poetry through activities enhanced by slides and poetry readings. They will come away 

with a sense of the culture that created this centuries old poetic form and will experience the satisfaction 

that comes from creating poetry of their own. Includes 22 slides and an audiotape. 1995. 

Hiroshima: Perspectives on the Atomic Bombing $39.95 – Secondary 

Through this unit, students are encouraged to examine the use of the atomic bomb on Japan in its 

historical context. Small-group and whole-class activities allow students to learn and appreciate the 

multiple perspectives people have on the atomic bombing. The activities utilize primary sources to further 

enrich the varying perspectives presented in the unit. Unit with CD-ROM. 2000. 

Japan Meets the West: A Case Study of Perceptions $44.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

This five-lesson unit focuses on encounters between Europeans, Americans, and the Japanese in the 

mid-1800s. Historic images from woodblock prints and paintings, journal entries, and other primary 

sources bring these interactions to life for students as they think about issues such as perceptions and 

stereotypes. Includes 30 slides. 1994. 

Japanese Art in the Edo Period $39.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

This unit will introduce students to a variety of schools of painting that flourished in the relatively peaceful 

society that existed during the Edo period. Throughout the unit, students will view and work with images 

of the Edo period art. They will learn how new forms of travel encouraged the development of new art 

forms, and how the government's encouragement of some kinds of art and the restrictions on other types 

of art, created official and unofficial realms of art. Students will also examine the effects of the arts on 

Japan's isolation from the outside world and how influences from China and the West continued to be an 

important part of Japanese art. 2005 

Japanese Migration & the Americas: An Introduction to the Study of Migration $29.95 – Secondary 

This curriculum module introduces students to the study of migration, including a brief overview of some 

categories of migration and reasons why people migrate. In this introductory study, the Japanese 

migration experience in the Americas is used as a case study. Students will be introduced to categories of 

migrations such as rural-urban migration, urban-urban migration, cyclical migration, forced migration, 

return migration, remigration, and U-turn migration. Case studies of migration will be drawn from the 

Japanese experience in the United States, Canada, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, and Argentina. 2000. 

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Japanese Radio Exercises $19.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

In post-war Japan, exercise programs broadcast on the radio became a popular way to boost public 

morale. This unit will allow your students to participate in real Japanese Radio Exercises, learning useful 

information about the Japanese language and culture in the process. 1996. 

Rabbit in the Moon: Folktales from China and Japan $44.95 – Elementary 

This teaching unit consists of eight folktales from China and Japan, skill-development exercises, and 

follow-up activities. It is easily adaptable to a large range of age levels and abilities. It can be used in 

several curriculum areas, including social studies, multicultural studies, and language arts and literature. 

Chinese and Japanese folktales illustrate the similarities and differences in the human experience over 

time and space. Students will explore timeless values and understand how those values are expressed 

through culture. Includes 51 slides. 1995. 

Religion in Japan and a Look at Cultural Transmission $39.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

A study of world history and culture is not complete without a study of the historic roots and practice of 

Buddhism and an exploration of belief systems such as Shinto. This curriculum unit uses individual and 

small group activities to teach students about these world religions in a Japanese context. Students will 

think about the concept of "sacred" and see how different cultures transmit its meanings over time. 

Includes 34 slides. 1990. 

The Social Fabric of Japan: Case Studies of Selected Minority Groups $29.95 – Secondary to 


How and why does ethnic diversity exist? How has it molded the individual and collective identities of 

minority groups in Japan? How are issues of identity in Japan similar to or different from those in the 

United States? This unit presents case studies of the Burakumin, Ainu, Okinawan, and Korean minority 

groups. By engaging in different activities, students will explore and evaluate the social fabric of Japan. 

2000. 

The Media in U.S.-Japan Relations: A Look at Stereotypes $54.95 – Middle School to Community 

College 

How do the U.S. and Japan portray each other in the media? How did the children's story Little Black 

Sambo affect perceptions when it traveled to Japan during the U.S. occupation following WWII? How do 

words and images in films contribute to the formation of stereotypes? Engaging activities using both 

historic and contemporary images explore the role of bias and stereotyping in shaping relations between 

two countries, such as the U.S. and Japan. Includes videotape. 1994. 

Korea: 

Understanding the Korean Peninsula in the 21 st Century: Political, Economic, and Security Issues 

in the Asia / Pacific Region $49.95 – Secondary 

What opportunities and challenges does the 21 st century hold for the Korean Peninsula? Activities on the 

Japanese colonization of the Korean Peninsula and the Korean War set the historical context for an 

examination of this question. Seven lessons engage students in a news conference on the Korean 

Peninsula’s current political situation; a role-play that introduces the Korean Peninsula’s economic 

situation; a peace conference; an examination of civil rights and Korean residents in Japan; and a 

consideration of scenarios for Korean reunification.1999. 

General Asia: 

Along the Silk Road: People, Interaction and Cultural Exchange $54.95 – Middle School to 

Secondary 

Designed especially for world history, geography, and world culture classes, this unit presents the rich 

and colorful history of the Silk Road through people like Marco Polo and Xuan Zang who lived and 

traveled along its trade routes. This publication uses many primary source materials and encourages 

active student participation through drama, reader's theater, art activities, and games. An adaptation of 

the popular cross-cultural simulation “Heelotia” is included, as is a videotape. 1993. 

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Along the Silk Road $74.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

This unit was adapted from two previous units, SPICE’s Along the Silk Road (1993) and Silk Road 

Encounters (2001) published by the Silk Road Project and the Asia Society. The “Silk Road” refers to a 

series of routes that crisscrossed Eurasia from the first millennium BCE through the middle of the second 

millennium CE. Each lesson focuses on a specific aspect of the Silk Road, from language to art to music. 

While a lesson can be taught in isolation, it is suggested that lessons be taught in the order they appear, 

as later lessons build on earlier ones. There are eight lessons. Lesson One introduces students to the 

geography of the Silk Road. Lesson Two examines the history of the Silk Road. Lesson Three focuses on 

the different languages and the communication challenges of traders and travelers. Lesson Four 

introduces the dynamics of trade. Lesson Five introduces the major belief systems (religions and 

philosophies) and their tenets. Lessons Six and Seven look at art and music. Lesson Eight investigates 

the topic of migration over three time periods. This unit includes a CD of audio files, images, maps, 

transparencies, and video files. 2006. 

Choices in International Conflict: With a Focus on Security Issues in Asia $31.95 – Secondary to 


This curriculum unit spans a large part of Asia with its lessons relating to military buildup, political policy, 

and security issues. Relevant to the study of China is Lesson Three, “The 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis.” 

This lesson alone includes nine handouts, four editorials, four political cartoons, a transparency, and 

materials to prepare the teacher for the lesson. Relevant to the study of Japan is Lesson One, “The U.S.- 

Japan Security Alliance,” Lesson Two, “U.S. Military Bases in Okinawa,” and Lesson Six, “The Russo- 

Japanese “Northern Territories” Dispute.” One lesson focuses on the Korean peninsula, and there is one 

lesson on Cambodia. Each lesson incorporates handouts, transparencies, political cartoons, reprints of 

editorials, and materials for the teacher. 1998. 

Contagion in the East: A Look at the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis $25.95 – Upper Secondary to 


This three-lesson unit will introduce students to a handful of economic basics and help them understand 

East Asian emerging economies and the IMF. How do economic fluctuations in Asia affect us all? 2000. 

Feeding a Hungry World: Focus on Rice in Asia and the Pacific $64.95 – Middle School to 


This comprehensive curriculum unit explores the cultural, economic, environmental, and political aspects 

of rice production in Asia. While no lesson focuses specifically on China, China is well-represented in 

almost every lesson. Lessons include “Biodiversity in Rice Production,” “Rice Policy and the Stages of 

Agricultural Development,” and “Population Growth and Rice.” Incorporates a wealth of handouts and 

resources. 1995. 

Geography and the Human Experience $44.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

This unit introduces students to a broad range of topics and activities that are essential to the study of 

geography. These issues include map analysis and comparison, migration and perceptions of region, 

interactions between humans and the environment and their implications, urban growth and energy 

consumption, political divisions of the earth, and economic interdependence around the world. 

Throughout this unit, students refer to and use a mapmaking tool on the Internet that allows them to 

select myriad geographical information to create their own maps. Students also learn about geographical 

issues around the world through case studies from 12 countries including several on East Asia. 2004. 

Mapping Asia $21.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

This curriculum unit has been designed to serve two major functions: to teach about the basic physical 

and political geography of Asia, and to review fundamental geographical concepts and vocabulary in an 

Asian context. Includes handouts, worksheets with answer keys, pages which are suitable for making 

transparencies, teaching guides, and appendices. Lessons include “About Climate,” “What is Asia,” and 

Learning the Physiographic Features of Asia.” 1994. 

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Megacities in the Asia/Pacific Region: Focusing on Their Environmental Impact $49.95 – 

Secondary to Community College 

This curriculum unit examines the impact of “megacities” (cities with populations of 10 million people or 

more) on the Asian cultural and environmental landscape. Students will examine the reasons for the 

proliferation of megacities, understand their energy and resource needs, consider possible ways to 

reduce environmental degradation, and evaluate policy issues. Lessons include “Megacities and Air 

Pollution,” “Bangkok and the Scope of Water Pollution,” “Waste Management in Tokyo,” and 

“Sustainability of Megacities.” Includes numerous handouts, worksheets, activities, and transparencies. 

1997. 

The San Francisco Peace Treaty: The Cold War and the Peace Process $29.95 – Secondary to 


This three-lesson unit provides students with historical knowledge of the San Francisco Peace Treaty and 

the global issues that influenced its signatories in 1951. Through role-playing activities, analysis of 

primary sources, and writing assignments, students develop a solid understanding of the early Cold War 

era. Students also learn about the treaty’s long-term implications through a discussion on contemporary 

reparations issues. 2001. 

Individual Lesson Plans: 

The Allied Occupation of Japan $7.50 – Secondary to Community College 

This lesson introduces students to the Allied Occupation of Japan, 1945-1952. Using speeches made by 

U.S. President Harry Truman and Japanese Emperor Hirohito (as well as other primary sources), 

students learn about some of the changes that occurred in Japan during the Occupation. From the full 

unit titled Episodes in the History of U.S.-Japan Relations: Case Studies of Conflict, Conflict Management 

and Resolution. 1993. 

Analyzing the Media: Case Studies in U.S.-Japan Relations $10.00 – Middle School to Community 

College 

This individual lesson plan provides eight different small group activities using resources such as political 

cartoons, advertisements, movie reviews, letters to the editor, and opinion polls to help students 

recognize bias and stereotyping and identify key issues when analyzing information in the media. From 

the full unit titled The Media in U.S.-Japan Relations: A Look at Stereotypes. 1994. 

The Decision Maker’s Flowchart $7.50 – Secondary to Community College 

A study of the regions of China introduces students to China's geographic and economic diversity. 

Students then break into small groups and use flowcharts to make decisions about the economic future of 

the nation's 32 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. From the full unit titled China and the 

World in 2010: An Introduction to Futures Studies. 1998. 

The Historical and Cultural Importance of Rice $7.50 – Middle School to Community College 

This individual lesson plan engages students in a variety of activities based on readings carefully selected 

to reflect the historical and cultural importance of rice in six Asian countries. Readings include a literature 

excerpt from Thailand, a folktale and poetry from China, a short story from Indonesia, a personal narrative 

from Bangladesh, a legend from the Phillippines, and a folktale from Japan. From the full unit titled 

Feeding a Hungry World: Focus on Rice in Asia and the Pacific. 1995. 

Sharing Beliefs and Ideas $7.50 – Middle School to Secondary 

This lesson allows students to examine how cultural ideas and thoughts were exchanged as travelers and 

traders such as Xuan Zang and Marco Polo met, interacted, and traded with different people and cultures 

along the Silk Road. From the full unit titled Along the Silk Road. 1988. 

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Literature 

The following titles can all be ordered online from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com. 

You are also welcome to purchase them from other online booksellers and/or at a local bookstore. 

China: 

Born Red: A Chronicle of the Cultural Revolution $27.95 

An autobiographical account of a young man from a provincial town in North China who was caught up in 

the excitement and struggles of the Cultural Revolution. As a teenager boarding at the top local high 

school, Gao found himself pulled in opposite directions. 

Chinese Fairy Tales and Fantasies $16.00 – Ages 9-12 

A collection of Chinese fairy tales. 

Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes $7.99 – Elementary 

A collection of nursery rhymes translated from Chinese; including rhymes on lady bugs, kites, and bumps 

on the head. In both English and Chinese. 

Count Your Way Through China $5.95 – Elementary 

Uses the teaching of the Chinese numbers one to ten to introduce diverse aspects of Chinese culture. 

Dragon of the Lost Sea $6.99 – Elementary 

Written by Lawrence Yep. A story about a dragon princess and a boy, both homeless and alone in the 

world. The Chinese princess has a mission to recover a magic pebble and the boy wants to help her. An 

ALA Notable book. 

Dragon’s Village, The $13.95 

By Yuan-Tsung Chen. An autobiography of a city girl who took part in land reform in a remote mountain 

village as a teenager. The protagonist chooses to remain in China after the Communists assume power in 

1949, while her family and fiancé flee for Hong Kong. Her patriotism and dedication to the ideals of the 

revolution are tested as she finds herself a young urban woman alone in a remote village. 

Family $8.95 – Middle School to Secondary 

Written by Ba Jin (Pa Chin). This classic 1931 Chinese novel is the first part of Ba Jin’s autobiographical 

trilogy, Turbulent Stream, and deals with the May 4th movement. It was extremely influential in China, 

where many young people, dissatisfied with the injustices of their society, saw this book as an expression 

of their rejection of old “feudal” ways. This translation reads smoothly, yet keeps the Chinese flavor of the 

original. Centered around the struggle of the young protagonists to create a new type of life for 

themselves, the book imparts a vast amount of information about this time of great cultural change, while 

keeping the interest of the reader. 

Homesick: My Own Story $6.99 – Ages 9-12 

Written by Jean Fritz, an American who was born and spent her first 12 years in China. This 

autobiographical story is full of rich descriptions of life in pre-communist China and the cultural conflicts of 

a girl caught between two cultures. 

I Once Was a Monkey – Stories Buddha Told $17.00 – Elementary 

Retold and illustrated by Jeanne M. Lee. A young monkey, caught in a storm, runs into other animals 

hiding in a cave. A statue of Buddha tells them six stories called Jatakas, or birth stories, that illustrate 

Buddha’s teachings, such as compassion, tolerance, honesty, and endurance. 

Legend of Mu Lan: A Heroine of Ancient China $7.95 – Elementary 

Written and illustrated by Wei Jiang and Cheng A. Jiang. 

Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China $6.99 – Lower Elementary 

Illustrated and translated by Ed Young. Three sisters staying home alone are endangered by a hungry 

wolf disguised as their grandmother. A Caldecott Award winner. 

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Look What Came from China $6.95 – Lower Elementary 

By Miles Harvey. A look at the amazing things that originated in China, such as the compass, fireworks, 

kites, dominoes, calligraphy, silk, sunglasses, and pasta. 

Mei-Mei Loves the Morning $15.95 – Lower Elementary 

Written by Margaret Holloway Tsubakiyama and illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. 

The story of a little girl and her grandfather on a bright morning in urban China. Together they go to the 

park, look at birdcages, play games, practice taiqi (tai-ch’i), and drink tea with friends. 

Monkey: A Journey to the West [ABRIDGED] $14.95 – High School 

Retold by David Kherdian. This popular Asian folk novel is part spiritual journey and part historical epic. 

Originally written in the 16 th century, it is the story of the trickster Monkey as he travels to India in search 

of sacred scriptures and the characters he meets on the journey. The tale is described as an allegory of 

the struggle that must occur before spiritual transformation is possible. 

The Moon Lady $7.99 – Lower Elementary 

By Amy Tan. The story of seven-year-old Ying Yang’s adventures at the Moon Festival. 

Mr. China’s Son: A Village Life $35.00 – Upper Secondary 

He Liyi's story is set mainly in a remote area of northwestern Yunnan, but it shows how changes in the 

world's largest country filtered through the life of one village and of an observant but never bitter patriot. 

Son of a Kuomintang policeman who was executed, he endured five years of socialist reeducation in a 

labor camp before returning home in 1962. Trying to create a new life, he accepts his lot as a peasant 

and marries a virtuous local woman who does not fear poverty. 

Son of the Revolution $15.00 

By Liang Heng and Judith Shapiro. This is the biography of a young man growing up in the turbulence of 

China from the late 1950s through the 1970s. 

Sunflower Splendor: Three Thousand Years of Chinese Poetry $23.95 – High school 

By Wu-Chi Liu, Irving Yucheng Lo (editor). An anthology of over one thousand Chinese poems in 

translation. 

Tales of a Chinese Grandmother $13.95 – Ages 9-12 

Written by Frances Carpenter. Stories of Chinese folklore told by an aged grandmother to her 

grandchildren. Reading level grade six and up, but can be read to younger students. 

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break $6.50 – Ages 11-14 

Written by Lensey Namioka. In 1911, China is experiencing dramatic cultural and political changes. And 

in the home of young Ailin, a quieter but equally impacting revolution is taking place--a war against 

tradition. Ailin enjoys a privileged childhood, but as a girl, she is denied what she wants most: a voice in 

her future. Women are expected to be seen and not heard, skilled in domestic arts rather than educated, 

and to bind their feet--all to ensure a good marriage. Ailin rebels, but freedom comes with a price. 

To the Storm: The Odyssey of a Revolutionary Chinese Woman $22.95 

By Yue Daiyun and Carolyn Wakeman. The autobiography of a young woman intellectual, Yue Daiyun, 

who lived through the Maoist years. Covers a range of political movements over a period of twenty years. 

At the center of the account is the negative effects of these events on her family. 

Waiting $13.95 

By Ha Jin. Every summer Lin Kong returned to Goose Village to divorce his wife. Like a fairy tale, Ha 

Jin's masterful novel of love and politics begins with a formula--and like a fairy tale, Waiting uses its slight, 

deceptively simple framework to encompass a wide range of truths about the human heart. Lin Kong is a 

Chinese army doctor trapped in an arranged marriage that embarrasses and repels him. Nevertheless, 

he's content with his tidy military life, at least until he falls in love with Manna, a nurse at his hospital. 

Regulations forbid an army officer to divorce without his wife's consent--until 18 years have passed, that 

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is, after which he is free to marry again. So, year after year Lin asks his wife for his freedom, and year 

after year he returns from the provincial courthouse: still married, still unable to consummate his 

relationship with Manna. Ha Jin himself served in the People's Liberation Army, and in fact left his native 

country for the U.S. only in 1985. 

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China $16.00 

A memoir which takes the reader from the author’s grandmother, who became a concubine to a local 

warlord at the age of 15, to the author’s mother and her revolutionary marriage to an incorruptible 

Communist official, to the author herself and her struggle to escape China. 

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China $6.99 – Ages 9-12 

Retold by Ai Ling and illustrated by Ed Young. In the Tang Dynasty, a young girl overcomes the 

wickedness of her stepsister and stepmother to become the bride of a prince. 

Japan: 

Anthology of Japanese Literature (Keene) $14.50 

Edited by Donald Keene. Japanese literature from the earliest era to the mid-19 th century. The companion 

volume to Modern Japanese Literature (see below). 

Cool Melons – Turn to Frogs! The Life and Poems of Issa $7.95 – Lower Elementary 

A biography and introduction to the work of the Japanese haiku poet, Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), whose 

love for nature finds expression in the more than thirty poems included in this book. Issa grew up lonely 

and abandoned by his family and faced with enormous sadness as an adult. His kindhearted nature is 

expressed in his poetry. 

Crane Wife, The $7.00 – Lower Elementary 

Retold by Odds Bodkins and illustrated by Gennady Spirin. The retelling of a well-known Japanese 

folktale about a poor sail maker who marries a beautiful and mysterious stranger with magical weaving 

abilities. When he discovers that his wife is really a crane he once saved, she turns back into a crane and 

flies away. The illustrations contain some inaccuracies like the wearing of shoes in the house. 

Crow Boy $5.99 – Lower Elementary 

Written by Taro Yashima. Afraid of teachers, teased by his classmates for being different, unable to make 

friends, Chibi spends most of his time alone in school. But a friendly new teacher, Mr. Isobe, discovers a 

remarkable talent of Chibi’s and encourages him to share it with his classmates. 

Funny Little Woman, The $5.99 – Lower Elementary 

Retold by Arlene Mosel and illustrated by Blair Lent. An adaptation of a Japanese folktale about a funny 

little woman who falls into a hole while chasing a dumpling. She is captured by oni (demons) who forced 

to make dumplings for them using a magic paddle. She escapes by making the demons laugh. Laughter 

not violence leads to triumph. 

Girl from the Snow Country $7.95 – Lower Elementary 

Written by Masako Hidaka. A little girl, Mi-chan, who lives in northern Japan, makes bunnies out of snow 

but she needs something to use for their eyes. With the help of a friendly deity and a lady at the market, 

Mi-chan finds berries that she uses for their eyes. 

Grass Sandals: The Life of Basho $18.99 – Lower Elementary 

Written by Darlene Spivak. A simple retelling of the travels of 17 th century Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho 

(1644-94), across his island homeland. Includes some of the haiku verses he composed. 

Haiku Picturebook for Children $14.95 – Lower Elementary 

Edited by Keisuke Nishimoto and illustrated by Kozo Shimizu. A collection of haiku written by some of 

Japan’s most famous poets, such as Yosano Buson and Matsuo Basho. The works are arranged in a 

seasonal pattern along with the original versions in Japanese. 

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Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories $21.95 – Lower Elementary 

Edited by Frances Sakade. Illustrated by Yoshisuke Kurosaki. A collection of well-loved Japanese 

folktales. The selection includes 20 famous stories such as “Peach Boy,” “The Magic Teakettle,” and “The 

Grateful Statues.” 

Kokoro $14.95 – Secondary 

Nasume Soseki is perhaps the greatest Japanese novelist of the Meiji period and is still widely read in 

Japan today. Kokoro is usually translated as “heart” or “feelings” and in this novel, Soseki explores 

friendship, family relationships and loneliness. 

The Master Puppeteer $5.99 – Middle School 

By Katherine Patterson. A poor thirteen-year-old boy in 18 th century Osaka begins to work for the Bunraku 

puppeteers. An introduction to a theater form that continues to be important in contemporary Japan and 

to an exciting period of Japanese history. 

Modern Japanese Literature $15.95 

Edited by Donald Keene. Japanese literature from 1868. This volume is the companion to Anthology of 

Japanese Literature: from the Earliest Era to the Mid-Nineteenth Century (see above). The book includes 

introductions to the writers as well as a historical introduction by Keene. 

Noguchi the Samurai $14.95 – Elementary 

Written by Burt Konzak and illustrated by Johnny Wales. Noguchi, the samurai, believing he is the 

strongest samurai, terrorizes his fellow passengers on a ferry. When he accidentally drops his pipe into 

the sea, his fierce attitude intensifies and terrifies the passengers. Then, an old samurai steps in to show 

him how one can win a battle without a sword. This is not an original Japanese tale, but it is set in 

Tokugawa Japan and is in the style of stories used to teach the ethics and philosophy of martial arts. 

Of Nightingales That Weep $6.99 – Ages 9-12 

Written by Katherine Patterson. In 12 th century Japan, Takiko’s father dies in battle and her mother 

remarries an ugly potter living in the country. Takiko longs to escape to a place befitting her birth. When a 

traveling merchant hears her play koto, Takiko has the opportunity to join the imperial court life. Highlights 

the struggle between the Genji and Heike clans. 

The Paper Crane $6.99 – Lower Elementary 

Adapted and illustrated by Molly Bang. An old man repays a generous restaurant owner for the gift of a 

free meal by giving him a magical paper crane. When the crane comes alive and dances, more and more 

people come to the restaurant and business thrives. A good introduction to origami or paper folding. 

The Sound of Waves $12.95 – Secondary 

Written by Yukio Mishima. A tale of first love between a young fisherman and the daughter of a wealthy 

man. 

The Tale of Genji [abridged] $14.95 

By Lady Murasaki and translated by Edward Seidensticker. Abridged translation of Lady Murasaki's 

account of court life in Heian Japan. Widely recognized as the world's first novel. 

Note: Participants may also purchase the translation by Arthur Waley for $2.50, if preferred. 

Under the Cherry Blossom Tree $15.00 – Lower Elementary 

Retold and illustrated by Allen Say. A funny story for young readers. One day in spring, when all the 

people in the village are enjoying the abundant cherry blossoms, a wicked landlord accidentally swallows 

a cherry pit that begins to grow into a tree from the top of his head. This incident causes him a great deal 

of trouble, but the poor villagers are led into a happy and wondrous world because of it. 

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Korea: 

A Single Shard $6.99 – Ages 10 & Up 

This winner of the Newbery Medal tells the story of an orphan boy in 12 th century Korea who wants to 

become a potter. According to the author, the three threads of the story are family, pottery, and an 

adventurous journey. 

Count Your Way through Korea $5.95 – Ages 4-8 

Presents the numbers one to ten in Korean, using each number to introduce concepts about Korea and 

its culture. 

East to America: Korean American Life Stories $16.95 

A collection of 50 engrossing interviews with a cross section of the Korean American community. 

Echoes of the White Giraffe $16.00 – Ages 10 & Up 

In the sequel to Year of Impossible Goodbyes, fifteen-year-old Sookan is living in a refugee camp in 

Pusan, a city in southern Korea, where she struggles to rebuild a normal life and to make decisions about 

her own life. 

In the Absence of the Sun $19.00 

When her grandmother became ill, the author became determined to reunite her with her elder son, who 

was lost decades before in the family’s escape from North Korea. By Helie Lee, the author of Still Life 

with Rice. 

Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood $16.95 

Richard Kim paints seven vivid scenes from a boyhood and early adolescence in Korea at the height of 

the Japanese occupation, 1932 to 1945. The book follows one Korean family through the Japanese 

occupation to the surrender of the Japanese empire. 

Still Life with Rice $15.00 

Writing in her grandmother’s voice, Helie Lee tells of a woman’s life in Korea through the Japanese 

occupation and Korean War. 

When My Name was Keoko: A Novel of Korea in WWII $6.50 – Ages 10-14 

Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park chronicles the compelling story of two siblings, 10-yearold 

Sun-hee and 13-year-old Tae-yul, and their battle to maintain their identity and dignity during the 

Japanese occupation in the year’s preceding WWII. 

Year of Impossible Goodbyes $5.99 – Ages 10 & Up 

Winner of the ALA Best Book for Young Adults, this book tells the story of ten-year-old Sookan and her 

family in Japanese occupied Korea of 1945. When the war ends, Russian troops take control of North 

Korea. The family makes a dangerous escape to the south. 

Reference Books 

China: 

The British Museum Book of Chinese Art $27.50 

The book opens with a very good but brief introduction to Chinese history and then surveys the various 

art forms. The British Museum collection is featured, obviously, but the individual pieces are occasions for 

very clear and interesting discussions of the type of work each represents; the book in this respect is very 

much more than a catalog of one collection. Recommended by the Seattle Art Museum as a good 

introduction to Chinese art. 

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China: A Global Studies Handbook. $55.00 

This new volume offers readers a concise, single-stop introduction to Chinese history, culture, economics, 

politics, and social issues. Learn how China has changed—and not changed—from early to modern 

times, and what life throughout China is like today. Written by Robert Andre LaFleur. Part of the ABC 

CLIO Global Studies series. 

Global Studies: China (student textbook) $32.19 

This edition includes country reports and current statistics for the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, 

and Hong Kong, with essays discussing the region as a whole. A wide selection of articles from the world 

press and an annotated list of World Wide Web sites are also featured in this volume. 

Sources of Chinese Tradition, Volume One $31.00 

Compiled by Theodore Debary and Irene Bloom. 

An introduction to Chinese civilization through basic writings and historical documents. Volume One 

covers the period from ancient times to 1600. 

Sources of Chinese Tradition, Volume Two $30.00 

Compiled by Theodore Debary and Irene Bloom. 

An introduction to Chinese civilization through basic writings and historical documents. Volume Two 

covers the period from 1600 through the 20 th century. 

Japan: 

Global Studies: Japan and the Pacific Rim (student textbook) $32.19 

This edition includes country reports, current statistics, and background essays on the Pacific Rim, the 

Pacific Islands, and Japan. It also features a wide selection of carefully selected articles from newspapers 

and magazines from around the world and an annotated list of World Wide Web sites guides students to 

additional resources. 

Japan: A Global Studies Handbook. $55.00 

This resource includes a narrative history and a general reference section on Japan. The author is 

Lucien Ellington, editor of the journal Education About Asia. The book was written for the widest possible 

audience including businesspeople, educators, high school and university students, school teachers, and 

tourists. 

Korea: 

The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies $16.95 

British journalist Michael Breen gives an overview of the nature and values of the Korean people as a 

background to the history of Korea, especially the division between the Communist north and the Pro- 

Western south. 

Feature Films – DVD Format only 

The following feature films may be purchased online at http://www.amazon.com. Alternatively, they may 

be available for purchase at your local video store. 

China: 

The Road Home (2000) $29.95 

Shower (1999) $29.95 

Japan: 

After Life (2000) $29.95 

My Neighbor Totoro (2006) $29.99 

Korea: 

The Way Home (2002) $19.99 

15


Joint Security Area (2000) $24.99 

A State of Mind (2003) $29.95 

Koto World – Ages 4‐40 

Elizabeth Falconer’s award‐winning CDs of Japanese folktales set to koto music. 

See http://www.kotoworld.com for details about the CDs. Order online at Koto World or Amazon.com. 

Hana and the Dragon and other tales from Japan $14.99 

Little Pink Fish $14.99 

Once Upon a Lilypad $14.99 

Plum Boy! And Other Tales from Japan $14.99 

Asia for Kids 

http://www.afk.com 

China: A Century of Revolution DVD $39.99 

Never-before-seen footage allows you to witness some of the most dramatic events that took place in 

China including the Northern expedition of Chiang Kai-Shek, the Long March, and the "Gang of Four" 

trial. You will also see impressive footage of interviews of soldiers, judges, leaders, revolutionaries, 

warlords, and ordinary citizens who have lived through these tumultuous times - and have held their 

secrets for decades. The first video in the three-part series covers the period from the 1911 Revolution to 

World War II while the second covers the Communist victory to the death of Mao. The last video begins 

with the current liberalization, the Tiananmen Square Incident and follows into early 1997. Approx. six 

hours. Documentary. 

Families in China VHS or DVD $29.95 – Elementary to Secondary 

Families in Korea VHS or DVD $29.95 

Families in Japan DVD $29.95 

In the Families videos, viewers get a peek at the everyday lives of two families - usually an urban and a 

rural family. We are introduced to a child who helps narrate his or her activities. The footage is intimate 

but not intrusive. Lots of interesting facts about the country are presented from a realistic viewpoint which 

brings other cultures into your classroom or home. 30 min. 

Art Institute of Chicago 

http://www.artic.edu/aic/education/trc/purchase 

What do you see? A teaching Video $15.00 – Upper Elementary to Secondary 

This video is an essential teaching tool for educators who want to incorporate art into the curriculum. 

Renowned art educator Philip Yenawine demonstrates a mode of inquiry designed to help students 

observe, analyze, and interpret art, emphasizing observation and critical thinking. 

Los Angeles County Museum of Art 

http://www.lacma.org/programs/teachersSchoolsResources.aspx 

The Art of Korea: Selections from the Permanent Collection $10.00 

This curriculum highlights six objects from the L.A. County Museum of Art: a lacquer box inlaid with 

mother-of-pearl, a bronze sculpture of a seated priest, an altar attendant made of wood, a porcelain jar 

with dragon and clouds, an expressive wooden mask, and the fine portrait painting of a revered Korean 

16


scholar. These objects date from the Choson dynasty (1392–1910) and represent the rich culture and 

age-old traditions of Korea. 

Chinese Art $10.00 

This unit includes six slides of a bronze vessel, a lacquer cosmetic box, a funerary sculpture of a chimera, 

a Bodhisattva, a porcelain vase, and a handscroll of ink and paper. These objects of Chinese art can be 

used to highlight key moments in Chinese history. 

Flora and Fauna: Nature in Japanese Art $10.00 

This packet uses four nature-inspired Japanese pieces in the Museum’s collection. The packet includes 

transparencies of the different pieces: a wooden Shinto sculpture in the shape of a seated fox, a ceramic 

hanging flower vase in the form of a quiver, two folding screens titled Puppies Among Bamboo in the 

Snow and Landscape in Snow, and Hokusai’s famous woodblock print The Great Wave of Kanagawa, 

from his series Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji. 

Golden Robes and Demon Masks: The Arts of Japan’s Noh and Kyogen Theater $10.00 

Discover two of the most ancient and influential forms of Japanese theater, Noh and Kyogen, through 

evocative carved wood masks, woven silk and gold costumes, painted screens, and lacquered 

instruments. Noh, a form of musical dance-drama originating in the 14 th century, is Japan's oldest 

continuing professional theater. Lighthearted comic plays called kyogen are performed in between noh 

plays as a counterpart to the solemn elegance of noh. Four color transparencies included. 

Images of Compassion: Buddhist Art and Practice $10.00 

Throughout Asia there are striking similarities among Buddhist images and what they mean, but also 

significant differences that illustrate the ways Buddhism changed as it spread. These curriculum materials 

explore the symbols and gestures found in Buddhist art and the role of visual images in meditation. Color 

transparencies include Buddhist sculptures from Tibet, China, and Pakistan, and a Japanese painted 

scroll by Hakuin Ekaku. 

Korean Arts of the 18 th Century $10.00 

In the 18 th century a uniquely Korean identity emerged in the arts. This packet explores some of the new 

forms that arose during this period as well as the general political and cultural influences from which they 

grew. This unit was created for the special exhibition Korean Arts of the 18 th Century: Splendor and 

Simplicity. 

Japanese Art (set of slides) $18.00 

Includes various slides of Japanese arts from the museum permanent collection. 

Japanese Prints of the 19 th and Early 20 th Centuries $10.00 

This packet focuses on 19 th -century ukiyo-e and 20 th -century shin-hanga woodblock prints. It addresses 

the themes, techniques, and artistic styles of the two types and describes how the prints were a reflection 

of the Japanese political and social climate of the time. Images represented in the slide set include 

landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits. 

Japonism in Art and Fashion $10.00 

This packet was created in conjunction with the exhibition Japonism in Fashion: The Influence of Japan 

on Western Dress. Using the works in the exhibition, this packet examines that trend of American and 

European artists and designers in the 19 th and 20 th centuries who were influenced by the arts of Japan. 

17


Asian Art Museum of San Francisco 

http://www.asianart.org/educatorresources.htm 

Ancient China (Slide packet) $25.00 

This introductory packet highlights ancient Chinese jades, bronzes, and ceramics from the museum’s 

permanent collection. Includes background summaries of the main historical dynasties; brief sections on 

jade, ceramic, and bronze production; and activities for the classroom. 

Arts of Edo Japan (Slide Packet) $20 

This packet offers a more in-depth examination of Edo period (1615–1868) Japan, focusing on the 

flourishing arts of the period, which are richly represented in the Asian Art Museum collection. Includes 

ceramics as well as paintings on screens, fans, handscrolls, and hanging scrolls. Art activities include 

creating a 3-D model of a teahouse and creating a pilgrimage book and seals. 

Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology (Slide Packet) $25.00 

Use this packet for a basic introduction to Chinese archaeology. Includes highlights from The Golden Age 

of Chinese Archaeology, a blockbuster special exhibition featuring recent archaeological finds that have 

changed historical theories about the development of China. This special-edition slide packet was 

produced in conjunction with the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. 

Goryeo Dynasty: Korea’s Age of Enlightenment (11 slides) $20.00 

This introduction to the arts of the Goryeo Dynasty includes rare celadon ceramics, Buddhist paintings 

and sculptures, illustrated sacred manuscripts (sutras), and ritual implements. 

Freer and Sackler Galleries 

http://www.freersacklershop.com/edma.html 

The Art and Archeology of Ancient China $20.00 – Upper Elementary to Secondary 

This unit introduces important aspects of ancient Chinese art and society. This four-lesson unit includes 

background information, a music resource section, information on the contemporary practice of ancestor 

worship, local and national resources, 8" x 10" color reproductions and the CD-ROM Chi's Adventure in 


The Arts of Japan $20.00 – Upper Elementary to Secondary 

This curriculum unit is designed for educators who would like an introduction to the diverse artistic 

traditions of Japan. The four lesson plans revolve around three central themes: Place, Seasons, and 

Materials, and serve as a meaningful starting point for learning about the world of Japanese art. 

Chi’s Adventures in Ancient China $9.99 – Elementary 

This CD-ROM explores ancient China using objects from the Freer and Sackler collections. "Chi," the 

Chinese winged chimera, acts as a guide to introduce children to the clothing, writing, food preparation, 

industry, and transportation of ancient China. This CD-ROM is included in the Art and Archaeology of 


The Silk Road $12.00 

This resource packet includes background information, six full-color art cards featuring objects from Silk 

Road cultures, a color poster with a map of the Silk Road marked by additional objects from Smithsonian 

museums, classroom activities developed by educators, resources, vocabulary, and an audio CD of 

stories told by Freer and Sackler volunteers with ties to countries along the ancient Silk Road. 

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The Silk Road Stories CD $10.00 

Listen to stories from countries along the ancient Silk Road on this audio CD. Contains traditional and 

family stories told by Freer and Sackler volunteers with cultural ties to Japan, China, Tibet, Bangladesh, 

Pakistan, and Turkey. This CD is included in the resource packet The Silk Road. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

http://www.metmuseum.org/store/index.asp 

The Arts of Korea $79.95 

This resource guide introduces a general understanding of Korean culture through Korean art. There are 

sections including key themes in Korean culture and art, a timeline focusing on art styles and influences, 

an overview of Korean art, and classroom applications. 

Nature within Walls: The Chinese Garden Court $29.95 

This unit introduces fundamental Chinese cultural ideas as represented in one of the most popular 

destinations for visitors to the Museum—the Ming-dynasty Chinese Garden Court. This resource includes 

a booklet containing background information, references to related works of art in the Museum's 

collection, classroom activities and projects, topics for discussion, a glossary, and more. 

Philadelphia Museum of Art 

http://www.philamuseum.org/ 

Learning from Asian Art: China $39.95 

This kit features ten different works from the collection of Chinese art. The chosen works of art represent 

a variety of mediums and eras from a 4500-year-old ceramic Banshan Jar to an embroidered robe for a 

Daoist priest made at the end of the 19 th century. 

Learning from Asian Art: Japan $39.95 

This kit features 10 objects from the Japanese collection. The chosen works of art represent a variety of 

mediums and eras from a 4000-year-old ceramic Jōmon Jar to a 19 th -century woodblock print by 

Katsushika Hokusai. 

Learning from Asian Art: Korea $39.95 

This kit features 10 different works from the collection of Korean Art. The chosen works of arts represent 

a variety of mediums and eras from an 8 th -century bronze Buddha to eight hanging calligraphic scrolls by 

a contemporary Korean artist. 

Lee & Lee Communications 

http://www.culturalcafe.com/shop_main.htm 

Masterworks of Japanese Painting $59.95 

Through this CD, you will take a tour the ethereal world of Japan's Edo period. Over 350 paintings 

created between 1600 and 1860 are featured in this tour. Scholar-collectors Etsuko and Joe Price 

comment on this rare array of screens, scrolls, woodblocks, and paintings. 

The National Palace Museum $49.95 

The National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan was established in 1925, the year after Emperor Puyi left 

the Forbidden City in Beijing. The treasures in the former palace had been chosen over the centuries to 

delight the exacting taste of successive emperors. The Museum houses a total of 700,000 national 

treasures. These masterpieces are part of the whole world's cultural heritage. This CD-ROM presents 136 

19


selected antiquities and works of art in 12 categories. Each exhibit is described by a narrator for easy 

listening, while zoom and revolve functions allow full appreciation of every detail. 

A City of Cathay $49.95 

Painted for the young Qianlong Emperor in 1736, A City of Cathay is an 11-meter handscroll by artists of 

the Qing court. It depicts a captivating vision of urban life centuries earlier in the Northern Song capital 

(modern Kaifeng), on the day of the springtime Qingming festival. Here you will find a wedding procession 

with colorful banners and musicians; a lively outdoor opera; performing monkeys, acrobats and a tightrope 

walker; and more. Its energy, accessibility, and meticulous detail rank this among the greatest of 

Chinese paintings. Enter medieval China's age of wealth and witness the rich texture of Chinese life in 

imperial times. 

Glory of Chinese Calligraphy $49.95 

This CD-ROM will take you on a journey through Chinese calligraphy, starting with the evolution and 

history and finishing with the beauty and variety of scripts. You will also follow the footsteps of the great 

calligraphers and the risks they took to perfect their art. 

The National Palace Museum Experience (Tour) $49.95 

The National Palace Museum in Taipei is a world-famous museum of Chinese art and culture. 

Accumulated using all the resources available to Chinese emperors over the centuries, its collection 

enshrines the finest accomplishments of imperial China's artists, craftsmen, and scholars. Now for the 

first time ever, this CD-ROM guides you on a virtual tour through the Museum's many fascinating galleries 

and offers you a relaxing environment in which to luxuriate in the beauty of Chinese art. 

Treasures of Imperial China $89.98 

This CD-ROM collection features six complete collections in one set. Each CD-ROM examines the 

breathtaking collection of ancient Chinese art from the National Palace Museum: painting, jade, bronze, 

porcelain, auspicious objects and ruyi scepters, and imperial writing implements. 

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Cobblestone Publishing Kamishibai for Kids - Jackson School of ...

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