pre-2011 web resources

[Anonymous]

An absolutely amazing website is the International Dunhuang Project at idp.bl.uk

Their is a cave in CHina known as the Dunhuang Cave. Apparently is was some form of library or document repository. It contained over 10,000 documents, yes over ten thousand. These documents cover every topic imaginable. The cave was discovered in the 1800s and was then "looted" by visitors. The contents are now spread throughout dozens of museums and even more private collections around the world. This project has been to gather exceptionally high quality digital copies of the materials and combine them into a digital database for the whole world to enjoy and learn from. It is an amazing site. It can be a great student and teacher resource.

One note, when you log onto the site you will get a pop-up that tells you that the properly view the site you need to download some Chinese charecter software. I have bee unable to download the software, but have been able to view all parts of the site that I have tried to look at, so it doesn't seem to matter, about the software.

5 stars out of 4

David Dandridge

[Anonymous]

A nice simple introduction to the Silk Road can be found at: http://gallery.sjsu.edu/silkroad/intro.htm
This site has a nice intorduction as well a history and maps of the SIlk Road.
A good site for students to get basic information and a eally good site for teachers to get some start up information.

3 stars out of 4

David Dandridge

[Anonymous]

Agreat series of lessons on the SilkRoad can be found at:
http://www.isop.ucla.edu/eas/sum-inst/links/silkunit.htm
Imagine that, some good lessons from a UCLA site, I wonder if Clay had anything to do with these? Anyway, good stuff as well as sometimes we forget to look under our noses for resources, the UCLA sites are great.

10 stars out of 4 (a)

David Dandridge

[Anonymous]

Since we live in a gaming obsessed culture, students may be interested in seeing what other cultures do gamewise. Begin with an investigation into our game culture, what it requires (money, access, level of skill/intelligence, etc.). Then introduce Go. Interestingly, it requires spirituality which is absent in our games.

Studying Go develops both the creative as well as the logical abilities of children because to play it both sides of the brain are necessary. Which of our games require this ability? Chess, for sure. What other games? In what other cultures? Students can bring in and demonstrate games of other cultures.

Look here for a brief history of the game and some amazing artistic images, essays and more concerning the game, culture, etc.

http://www.kiseido.com/index.html

Does anyone know how long it takes to get the hang of playing it? Hmm.
[Edit by="kdietrick on Jul 27, 3:10:10 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

It's no secret that students arrive with plenty of pop-culture knowledge but not always enough historical, cultural, etc. ideas. So, an online encyclopedia is invaluable to bridging deep gaps to understand
concepts embedded in core curriculum. I teach the poem "Thoughts of Hanoi" to 9th graders and was taken aback by how much students don't know about Vietnam and the war w/U.S.- guess I'm old now.

Go to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_war

Users find it useful/friendly. There is probably way more info than many students will deal with. Every paragraph has many links so students can browse as in-depth as they'd like to. As for teachers, its very informative and may even provide inspiration for related ideas to cover. For example, for kids to understand the North-South division & Vietnam-US war I had to explain communism which led to an interesting discussion on Hollywood's blacklist, the red scare, bomb shelters (seen on The 70's Show) and weekly air raid drop & cover drills. I was also lucky enough to have a Russian student who talked about their POV of the cold war. Funny enough, she wasn't aware of much of it either.

Also, you can search most ideas and come up with something useful. Bookmark it today.

[Edit by="kdietrick on Jul 27, 3:02:53 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

We talked about the importance of the tea ceremony and here is a "suitcase" kit (including a hanging scroll, kimono, tea and calligraphy sets, lacquer trays, curriculum guide, and transparencies) to present it to your students. You can highlight the importance of this social and cultural event. It is a nice compliment the srt of coffee that exists here. Additionally, students could seek out local tea establishments (J-town, K-town) or Japanese gardens that feature tea houses (CSU Long Beach has one). Students could hold a traditional ceremony of their own or possibly create a new ceremony w/another beverage- Jolt? Gatorade? or?

Purchase the kit at

http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/Learn/trc/trcCatalogue.asp

item=
Suit case: Tea in Japan: A Window into the Arts. By Sarah Loudon. Publisher: Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA; 1994. Explore Japanese culture by handling various objects associated with the tea ceremony. (ASIA 20.01.020 c.1)

Furthermore, a wealth of materials, lesson plans, etc. to lend and buy. Just sign up to become a member (free), wait for your packet to arrive and check it out!

[Edit by="kdietrick on Jul 27, 2:44:57 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Access curriculum on women in ASian history.

The curriculum for sale in our on-line store give teachers, students, parents and history buffs an engaging way to access some of the most recent scholarship in the rapidly expanding field of women's history. These units are unique in their coverage of women in a global setting, confirming women's universal role in the creation of community, culture, and civilization.

Teachers will find that our easy-to-use reproducible units align with and enhance concepts, themes, and skills found in sixth through twelfth grade state and national social science guidelines.

go to
http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/toc-08.html

One to use for the classroom is "Samurai Sisters: Early Feudal Japan"

The story reveals how the lives of samurai women and women at the imperial court influenced by Heian Era ideals diverged as Japan entered the age of feudal military rule. Activities let students role play six historic figures on a pilgrimage to Japan's major sites, explore changing interests and concerns at different stages of one's life, and analyze poetry from the "great age of women writers" - the Heian period.

OR

Students could investigate and report on what place today's women serve in the military (here, Japan, or elsewhere). Good for research, writing and can also serve as an opportunity for oral presentation. Image gathering would be interesting for class presentations as well.

[Edit by="kdietrick on Jul 27, 2:24:16 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Students are really into Japanese anime and manga- especially the darker stuff. Also, the Ring 3 is about t be released and I found a sub-category of Japanese horror literature. It's a sure thing in the classroom. It displays "talent in using horror as a means of elucidating the human condition and "of benefiting all living readers" (dôjidai o ikiru subete no dokusha no tame ni). Awarded annually to a previously unpublished novel in the genre of horror fiction as interpreted broadly." Relatedly, there is horror manga, romantic horror manga (beware of torrid sexuality) some of which spin off of the classics (Van Helsing). Manga can be used to teach character, plot and other lit techniques. Check out your local comic store (Golden Apple, etc.) or Amazon.com for items to purchase for class use.

Find examples of short horror stories at
http://gojapan.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.harapan.co.jp%2Fenglish%2Fkwaidan%2Fkwaidan_index.htm

See Japan's relationships to ghosts at
http://gojapan.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Felm.fukuyama.hiroshima-u.ac.jp%2Flife5%2F5E.htm

My search began at
Duke University links to a plethora of teacher resources, universities- including UCLA. You name it, you'll likely find it:

Go to
http://www.lib.duke.edu/ias/eac/japan/japanesestudies.html

seek Japanese Literature

[Edit by="kdietrick on Jul 27, 3:41:18 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

RE: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/g/ge/gentlemens-agreement.htm

I found an informative reference website that could be used while teaching about immigration at the turn of the century in U.S. History in regard to the Gentlemen’s Agreement and related topics. This site gives great information in that it has a lot of links and not only in the definition text, but also a large list of more subjects in the same category. Students love using the computer and generally already have an idea about immigration, hostilities toward immigrants and can be tied in later relating it with relations with Japan during and after WWII. It would be an alternative way of teaching the material as opposed to traditional lecture and handouts.

[Anonymous]

I was having a hard time finding information onjapanese and chinese teapots, until I found this extensive page on the Japanese tea ceremony. This wikipedia encyclopedia website is very informative and includes information about the different schools (stlyes) of tea ceremonies. There is also a description of the different utensils used, the pstures and proper way of walking, flower arrangement, traditional dress, flooring material (tatami) and type of food that accompanies the tea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony

[Anonymous]

Wow, Kari thanks for finding this. I am looking at tea ceremony websites as well.

[Anonymous]

Ace cellist Yo Yo MA is taking his Silk Tour Ensemble on the road. Would be a nice addition to Silk Road instruction. The project features 50 musicians who explore musical traditions in all cultures. Helpful with ESL/LEP learners as Ma states "music bridges language barriers." Now how can you get students there? Field trip (funds permitting).

Sadly, it's off track for traditional schools
Sun 08/07/05 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
They still have $12-21 dollar tickets left.

OR

you can buy the CD and have students close their eyes while playing it or show accompanying images (slides/transparencies). Then have students write a stream-of-conciousness response what images/emotions came to mind. Where do they think this music comes from? Time period?

Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet for classroom use

go to http://www.sonyclassical.com/music/89782/# to hear samples- its beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Although this site is primarily about the japanese tea ceremony, it also incorporates information about the yin yang and five elements as well as a section of poetry. A lengthly section on the history of tea is provided, including names of the famous "tea masters" and what each is famous for. There is also detail-orientated description of the importance of the process and order of tea ceremony proceedings, as well as a description of the room and setup.

I think this page will help students to understand that the tea ceremony is not just about drinking tea, but is a spiritual practice and a way of life in the Japanese culture.

http://www.teahyakka.com/E.html

[Anonymous]

Here's a website that I use regularly: http://www.midnighteye.com
This is excellent for reviews on Japanese movies and books about Japanese movies. The use for students is limited only by the teacher. Certainly, there are directors that might never make it to a classroom, however, some might and it's great if you're looking for a solid place to start in contemporary Japanese cinema. If you are a teacher in any sort of Media Academy or similar group looking to get an ear on the track of quality asian cinema-check it out.
I enjoy the site because it is neither commercial nor for profit and written by film critics (Tom Mes wrote what I think is currently the only book on Miike). As you peruse the site it's value as a resource becomes plain, there is a lot of quality stuff. The site is easy to navigate, stylish, and without too much excess nonsense. It might be helpful if you're looking for a hard to find book about modern asian cinema or looking for a good netflix rental.[Edit by="jluesse on Jul 28, 9:49:48 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

http://www.japan-101.com

I am surprised no one has recommended this website yet, at least not according to a UCLA Asia Institute internal search. This is a catch-all with an insane amount of information, the page even describes itself as "Japanese Information for US and English Speaking Visitors." The site is encyclopedic in breadth; resources include, but are certainly not limited to, Tokyo travel, Culture, Geography, History, Food, Government, Business, Entertainment, Kanji, Video Games, Shopping, Anime, and Photos, each with subtopics and articles and related resources. Each of these resource groups is broken down further into categories relating to the resource and again into individual articles. It is interesting that this very encyclopedic tool borrows much, if not most, of its information from Wickipedia (an excellent asian information resource in it's own right).
It should be noted that the format/design of the site bears a striking resemblance to the UCLA Asia Institutes' site, making navigation a Sunday stroll in the park.
Check out the links page. You will find the fascinating and extremely student friendly myspace like gaijinfinder.com as well as sites on myths and pop culture among plenty others.
[Edit by="jluesse on Jul 28, 9:49:08 PM"][/Edit]

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