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Lin ZhaoDavisonI agree with Catalina that social hierarchy in Japan is a good topic for student to learn about societies in different countries. It would be interesting for students to compare social hierarchies in the U.S. vs in Japan. Similar to Japan, China has social hierarchies of rulers, officials and poor people. In ancient China, the social status was reflected in people's clothing and personal decorations like hair pieces, colors of a robe, etc. Classes were divided and lower class people were expected to behave in certain ways. They would be penalized if they break social rules. "Everyone is equal and has a chance" is ideal in modern societies. We all should do our part to promote equal rights among all human beings.
Lin ZhaoDavisonI agree with Cristina that the world leaders need to work gether to curb North Korean leadership. North Korea rulers seem threatening the world with nuclear weapons. They develop nuclea power while its people are suffering from hunger and illness. Hopefully its nuclear power threat to the world may be resovled through diplomatic channels.
Lin ZhaoDavisonI'm surprised to find out that Korea has so much more populations than expected. Altough Korea is relatively smaller than China and perhaps Japan, it has significant influence on Asia and the world. South Korea is more westernized than other Asian countries. Some other Asian countries look to S.Korea for modern life styles. Korean goods like fasion clothes, costmetics and technologies are well accepted in Asia and even western countries. Sumsung's electronic products like cell phones, TVs and camcorders are some of the most popular consumer products in the world. Korean soap opera is also popular and enjoyable. S. Korea continues to proof its importance in the world stage.
Lin ZhaoDavisonI like the excersie in class " Would you eer date an Asian person?" Persecption of Asian people is steeotyped sometimes. Asian people are portraited as quiet and submissive but smart by others. Fortunately, today's classrooms are composed of many biracial people with Asian heritage. These students seen themselves as both Asian and another ethnic group, and they are proud of their qualities inherited from both parents. These group of students would not have problems dating an Asian person. Students of other races may date an Asian peroson as well because they want to show to the world that they are thinking and acting "out of box". Intercultural interactions and relationshiops are great for to open a person's mind and encourage them to learn from each other.
Lin ZhaoDavisonThe Chinese Exclusion Act is a racist act. Chinese people built the railroad connecting the west with east of U.S.A. which facilitated the transportation and strengthened the American economy. Chinese people are strong building blocks of American economy today and yesterday. Exclusion of Chinese undermines economic and intellectual growth of America. Many students have Chinese heritage and backgrounds. I would encourage them learn from outstanding Chinese immigrants who hold leadership positions in government, businesses and schools. They should be proud of their family heritage and continue to improve the democracy of America.
Lin ZhaoDavisonPrejudice and actions against Asian immigrants like Japanese and Chinese exclusion were historial events serving as historical materials for students. America is made of many immigrants who have had countless contributions to the country. I would bring my students to an Asian American meseum. I would also ask my students to do a research project about the prejudice against Asian immigrants in American history and write about outstanding Asian immigrants' contributions to America. And students would give a presentation on their research projects and make posts about the Asian characters.
Lin ZhaoDavisonRebel represents Chinese people's desire for revolutional action against the government for a better society. Sun's Three Principals of People responded to Chinese people's wishes for democracy. Government ruled and officials determined people's fate. For example, Qiujing was a female rebel against the ruler. She voiced her strong opinions and beheaded by the officials. No one dared to collect her body for a while, not even her family members because they were afraid to be involved with her and share a similar fate. Although her body was dead, her voices were heard and her spirit was alive through her voices. Chinese appeal for democracy!
Lin ZhaoDavisonFoot binding was a unique Chinese culture that not only bound Chinese females physically but spiritually. Small feet were considered pretty and large feet were considered not feminine. So, many Chinese women bound their feet to fit into small shoes before meeting their potential husband because they wanted to marry someone with higher social status as men wanted to marry a pretty woman. Sadly, some women cut their toes and damaged their feet. With such a small feet, women could not walk far. They were confined at home and not encouraged to have education and participate in social events. They were bound at home serving husband and children, which was considered a virtue of a woman. I would show pictures of Chinese women with binding feet and have students compare women's feet yeterday and today. Through binding feet students can have a glimps of Chinese women's lives in the past and appreciate their freedom today.
Lin ZhaoDavisonAmir makes a good connection between Sun Yatsen and the western ideas. Sun was credited as a pioneer of Chinese democracy as he promoted importance of people over governance. Sun studied in Japan and thus might be influenced by some western thoughts. What side would Sun take during the Civil War? This is a very good question! The Civil War was between Mao, head of mainland China, and Jiang Jieshi, head of Taiwan. Sun's wife was sister of Jiang's wife. The complicated and deliate family relations would have impacted the Civil War. Students do some research on this question and have a debate on Sun's position during the Civil War.
Lin ZhaoDavisonRole Playing History is an excellent learning activities. When students role pay historial characters, they not only learn information about the historical events, but have much deeper engagement with the characters in the past. They need to research the events and characters, digest their dialogues, and present them in a meaningful ways. I observed a history class when students role-played a drama describing a Roman events. Students were emotionally connected with the characters and learned the history better through playing a mini-drama. I will implement this strategy in my classes.
Lin ZhaoDavisonTeaching Chinese through arts is a great method, especially for young students who need plenty of visual aids to grasp meanings of words. They love to draw picture and color them. The activity - making Chinese words into An Art - is an excellent idea to engage young learners to enlarge Chinese vocabulry. I 'll impletement this strategy when I teach yougn learners. Thanks!
Lin ZhaoDavisonThis is a good and interesting observation from card. It does show that Chinese people trust in Chaiman Mao and idolize him. During the cultural revolution, Chinese people, including chidren, can recite many passages from Chairman Mao's red book. They use the book as a guide to their daily life activities. I guess Chaiman Mao took care of them spiritually.
Lin ZhaoDavisonThe Down to the Countryside Movement is a tragety during the Cultural Revolution when mostly high school students were sent to farms to be revolutionized by the peasants. Teenagers should go to classroms to gain knowledge from books and teachers and choose ther eduational and career paths. They should not be forced to do farm work if they had no interests in it. Life in farmland was so pure that the students starved and suffered from malnutrition. They could not grow healthy mentally and physically in the farms. Some students were turned into red guards who sided with certain partisans and took violent actions while they should learn civiliation and gain academic knowledge. I wish they were in the farms only to help the peasants during harvest seasons instead of doing hard labor.
Lin ZhaoDavisonThe card says "Increase vigilance and defend the fatherland". Why "fatherland" instead of "motherland"? Is it to emphasize the masculine nature of the military action? The soldiers may read Mao's litte red book and learn battle strategies from Mao's words. Students may do some research with this question in mind and find more about Mao's messages in his little red book.
Lin ZhaoDavisonComprison of Chinese flas with the American one is a very interesting classroom activity. Jane Shen points out that the signaficance of the red color in both flags. I would like to add that both flags have stars. Chinese flag has 5 golden stars while the American flag has 50 white stars. The 5 golden stars represent the relationships of the Chinese parties, but the 50 stars represent 50 states in America. So, the Chinese communist party is in the most important position; but the land of 50 states is focused in American flag. Students may find it interesting to make stars for both flags.
