Resources for Teachers
There are a variety of ways that you can integrate lessons on Japan into your curriculum, no matter what grade or what subject you teach. Here a just a few ideas and resources to get you started. If you have an idea that you would like to share, please send it to info@aa.mofa.go.jp.
History
Resources on the Internet:
Literature/Language
Resources on the Internet:
- History of Japanese Literature
- The Japanese Literature Homepage
- Translation Assistance Website
- Translations of Classical Japanese Works
- 2001 Waka
Geography
John Spence, a fifth grade teacher at D. J. Montague Elementary School in Williamsburg, VA and a participant on the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Program in October 2003, submitted this idea for a lesson plan using Geographic Themes of Japan and surrounding islands (Okinawa/Ryukyu Chain).
Margaret Doyle, a teacher at the Wakefield School in Winchester, VA and a participant on the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Program in October 2002 has created an excellent Geopolitical Guide to Japan, a comprehensive look at Japan that can be used in a number of disciplines: Geography, Global Studies, International Relations, Political Geography, and Geopolitics. She can be contacted at madoyle@adelphia.net.
Music
Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Program participant Elena Cotsonas submitted this six-week lesson plan unit for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Music Classes. Her classes meet just once a week, and consequently there are six lessons for each grade level. Two main textbooks were used: The 1995 and 2002 Silver Burdett Music Texts. Each week focuses on a particular aspect of Japanese Culture. She has also included the Japanese Phrases she incorporated into her lessons. Ms. Cotsonas has taught Music for twenty years. She went to Japan in June of 2003. Please feel free to contact her at: elena.cotsonas@bcsemail.org or foutssteve@aol.com.
Art
John Spence, a fifth grade teacher at D. J. Montague Elementary School in Williamsburg, VA and a participant on the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Program in October 2003, submitted this idea for having students make their very own daruma dolls.
Resources on the Internet:
Theater
Resources on the Internet:
Multidisciplinary
- Center for Global Partnership Snapshots from Japan: The Lives of Seven Japanese High School Students (PDF) curriculum materials developed primarily for use in middle and junior high school social studies classes.
- Japan Fact Sheets available for download in PDF format.
- Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Program participant Randy Crutchfield submitted this essay on Applying Cross-Cultural Intelligence To Spoken Communication
- About Japan: A Teacher's Resource
- Asia for Educators
- Japan Information Network
- JGuide: Stanford Guide to Japan Information Resources
- National Clearinghouse for US-Japan Studies
- South Carolina Center for Teaching About Asia
If you are a Georgia resident, you can order a free copy of Japan-America Society of Georgia Grades K-12 Japan Curriculum by calling 404-842-1400.
Educational Programs for Teachers
- Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta's School Caravan Program
- Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta's Videotape Library
- Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award
- Keizai Koho Center Fellowships from the National Association of Japan-America Societies
- Monbukagakusho Teacher Training Scholarship
- Toyota International Teacher Program
*Page updated July 2012
This directory was compiled by the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta with the support of The Japan-America Society of Alabama, The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japan-America Society of Charlotte, The North Carolina Japan Center, The Japan-America Society of Western South Carolina, and The Japan-Virginia Society. Specific listings have been gathered from information provided to the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta and from public information sources. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of listings, but we cannot guarantee that there will be no errors. The Consulate General of Japan takes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information listed in this resource directory, or for the conduct of organizations or businesses listed. Furthermore, links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.