My experiences are with the second grade curriculum. I usually end up exposing my students to Asia with holidays. Although I would like to expand on my own knowledge of Asia in order to teach it, I inevitably end up talking about the Chinese new year. I have amanged to expand my lessons to art and music though. I try to teach my kids how to write some Chinese characters and explain how they are written from top to bottom. The kids get a big kick out of this, especially because they use watercolor paint and a paintbrush to write with. I also have managed learn how to teach a traditional Japanese dance from our third grade teacher. All children love movement and always giggle at the sound of the Japanese music which is so different from what they are used to hearing. This also manages to satisfy the dance standard we have in second grade. Just two ideas of things I have done that really get students to interact with learning about Asian cultures.

Janice, thanks for the book idea! I'm going to look into getting this book so I could integrate culture into my classroom a little more.

Geny

When teaching young children (4-5 yrs) it is important to introduce all activities that are age-appropriate. When I want to expose the children to different cultures, I begin by showing the children on a map (globe) where that country is. I explain to the children about some of the traditions. For example, the significance of the "Chinese Children's Hat" and how the child's mother or grandmother hand sews and embroiders the hat to look like a tiger, elephant, pig, dragon, panther, dog, or fish. I explain to the children that in the Chinese culture these animals have lucky qualities that protect the child. I explain to the children that in the old days in China, children weren't given a name until they were one month old. Then on that day the child got his first haircut, and was given his first protective hat. I discussed with the children that the family and friends would have a big celebration with lots of food and present. And, also on that day, the Chinese tradition was to give the child his first pair of tiger shoes. And as part of the Chinese tradition, I explained how the tigers on the shoes have their eyes wide open to protect the child and keep him from tripping when he learns how to walk.

The children are learning about differences, cultural values, traditions/customs. They are exposed to geography (i.e., maps, globes) and the children are able to visually see where the cournty located.

In the classroom, centers are set up for the children to make "Chinese Tiger Shoes" and "Chinese Tiger Hats." One of the greatest experience in teaching young children is they are always curious and they do not lact motivation. The children love to make these projects. They also do not care how the final project looks rather it is the process that they are involved in that is important to them. The children are having fun while learning about different cultures and traditions.

Thanks Geny!
I printed out some of the list of books--- I plan to get them them weekend. Student discounts at Borders this weekend (20% off).

Amy,
This is for second grade but of course you can adapt this. During the unit, Our Country and It's People, I normally have my students "make" paper suitcases. They each have to fill up their suitcase with things they want to take with them to another country. They can use magazines or draw the things. I normally give them an hour to work on this. Afterward, they have to briefly write a paragraph to explain what and why they brought the items they picked. I normally give them a limit of 8 items. I specifically say they will not be able to go back to their homes so they have to make sure they take things that are important to them or things they will need. We have time to share afterward. This would be a good way to open up the unit so they can see the choices they have to make. Then I read them several books about immigrants. There is so much we can do to integrate Asian culture into our classroom.
May[Edit by="mchu on Aug 13, 6:38:08 PM"][/Edit]

This is a great web-site: http://WWW.Earlychildhood.com. This site has an array of articles that include earlychildhood news. activities and curriculum, arts & crafts, etc. What is really important is the list of multiculture books that teachers can use in their classrooms. Even though the web-site is intended for young children, teachers who teach k-2nd grade can benefit from this site.

Dean,
I found the web-site "Monkey King Central" and you are right....it is very good. I found a lesson that deals with maps. Even though the children I teach are very young, I can still gear it towards their age level.
Thanks, Janice