pre-2011 elementary school ideas

[Anonymous]

Here is my bibliography of books for an elementary school library collection. It is based on my own collection and books I want to order. I am sure there are many more out there that are worthwhile, but this is a start.
Susan Dubin
Off-the-Shelf Library Services

[Anonymous]

There are several areas as a librarian where I use materials about Asia:

In second grade, we have two many focuses of study in the library:
Caldecott award winning picture books and styles of illustration

Folk and Fairy tales around the world

Third grade:
Ethnic groups represented in Los Angeles

Fourth grade:
Chinese and Japanese immigration to California and its history
Newbery Award winning books (several are about Asian civilization)

Fifth grade:
Immigrants to the U.S.
Family histories
Explorers

Sixth Grade:
Ancient civilizations

Of course, all of these topics contain discussions of Asian civilizations and literature.

In addition, we highlight Chinese New Year as part of our look at New Year celebrations around the world. For Chinese New Year, we share stories about China, decorate the library with paper lanterns, share fortunesthat the students write, make dragon masks, and practice writing Chinese characters.

For 6th grade, as part of a unit on WW II, we read Sadako and the Thousand Cranes. Students make a thousand cranes as a class which they present on their graduation and we send the mobile to Hiroshima for National Peace Day on August 6th.

Hope some of these ideas are of interest.
Susan Dubin

[Anonymous]

The Disney movie “Mulan”, at first look, simply animated entertainment. Nevertheless, this movie can offer our students a learning experience. I like the depiction of familial roles in the movie, with the father expecting his daughter to fall in line and conform as a dutiful daughter. What is interesting to look at is the pressure Chinese society puts on the father to “keep Mulan in line.” I think this movie can be used to explore gender roles with some levity, possibly better for elementary and middle school classes. Overall I loved the movie and thought it could provide a fun intro to Chinese society.

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
Please remember to change your subject lines to reflect what you'll be discussing. Rather than keeping "web resources" or "elementary school ideas" as the subject line, please change it to your specific topic. For example - "visual literacy lesson - korea" would help readers quickly know the main thrust or focus of your comment. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

As my final project for the Fall 08 Seminar, I shared my lesson plans for comparing Asian Cinderella stories in a second grade unit on folk and fairy tales around the world. Please email me at [email protected] for a copy or click the link for the attachment.
Susan Dubin[Edit by="sdubin on Feb 2, 4:59:27 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

While learning about China this year, one of my 7th graders asked if she could show us how to count to ten in Chinese. Apparently she had learned to do this 5th grade and had been so impressed by the lesson that she kept her notes and wanted to share with the class. Needless to say that I let her do her teacher thing and she did a wonderful job. Months after my students were still asking to learn how to count in whatever new language we encountered. I tried my best to research the different 1 to 10s.

[Anonymous]

I am an in the middle of a map unit. I had given them a globe and a blank template of Asia. There job was to fill in as many countries as they could find in two minutes. They were astonished as to the number, and to actuall write about countries they had only heard of in passing. It was a tremendous eye opener for them.

[clay dube]

The famous Chinese novel by Wu Cheng'en (most accessible in an inexpensive paperback translated and abridged as Monkey by Arthur Waley) is now been adapted by the Asia Society in an illustrated web story. Please take a look and let us know what you think and if it could be used in the classroom.

http://kids.asiasociety.org/stories/journey-west-part-1?utm_source=Asia+Society+eNews&utm_campaign=7439532e36-eNews_122309&utm_medium=email

The story has been adapted into an opera now being performed in NY.

[Anonymous]

I agree! Mulan is a great example to illustrate the distinct gender roles that exist in Chinese culture, as well as the traditions and beliefs that rely on ancestors. The matchmaker that will determine your partner. It would be interesting in my Spanish class to do a compare and contrast with the Chinese and traditional latino culture. As I was watching the movie, I was thinking "we are like that too" and "Oh, that's interesting, we used to be like that" or "we're not like that at all". And of course the music, as in most Disney movies, is beautiful. The movie is absolutely wonderful!

[Anonymous]

Jeopardy is good, but I also go to Bingomaker.com and develop a bingo game about what we are studying. I am a special ed teacher, and the students love being able to hold their game pieces and cards.

[Anonymous]

I just visited the site you recommended and read the story "Monkey". I can definately use that with my class. And I have a smart board so it can be projected on the big screen for them to not only see but attempt to read along. Thanks![Edit by="bberry on Feb 22, 9:25:06 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

While thinking of ways to teach students more about the Korean culture, I began to think of how the Korean Bell of Friendship could be incorporated into a lesson. It is located in San Pedro, close enough for a field trip for students. This cultural monument can be a great way to teach about other monuments and/or "gifts" to our country. I also think the structural design around the bell could be a great lesson on Korean architecture.

Korean Bell of Friendship
3601 South Gaffey Street, Los Angeles, CA 90731
(310) 548-7705‎

[Anonymous]

In reply to this post regarding the book, Baseball Saved Us, first off...it is NOT about a Chinese boy in a Japanese relocation camp. The boy is Japanese American.

Also, be careful how you present this to a class because the book uses many racial slurs.

I was in class, subbing for an aid, and the teacher read this book aloud to her class of second graders. When the Americans in the book yell racial slurs to the Japanese during the game, the teacher asked the class if they knew what they meant by the name-calling. The teacher then shared racial slurs for different cultures, many of them based on the students in her class. She presented the names as words she never wants to hear on the playground. Unfortunately, I think it was too late, for name calling and racism are things that are taught, and she was surely teaching the wrong thing to these kids.

[Anonymous]

The new EnVision Math program for elementary schools (LAUSD) has a great literature connection. For example in 5th grade they have "The Mighty Mekong" with emphasis on Vietnam. There is also literature for Japan and Nepal. This helps us connect Social Studies, Science, Heritage, Language Arts, and now Math![Edit by="dcolato on Oct 23, 11:47:06 AM"][/Edit]
[Edit by="dcolato on Oct 23, 1:14:22 PM"][/Edit]

[clay dube]

Let's use this area to discuss curriculum materials and activities to use with elementary school students. Where possible, please include information about the skills being developed and any content standards that are being addressed. Please change the subject line to reflect the theme of your post.

-- What Asia-specific topics do you try to raise with your students?

-- For what topics (e.g., watercolors, family roles) do you use Asia-related examples?

-- How have your students responded to these? (Perhaps tell us a bit about your students.)

-- What books, films, and activities would you recommend?

Thanks for drawing on your experiences.

Please also use this area to ask questions. For example, perhaps you'd like to teach something on poetry and would like some suggestions on poems from Asia that work well with 3rd graders. Or perhaps you need a science, math, health, art, geography or physical education suggestion. Please ask.

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