North Carolina Teaching Asia Network (NCTAN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spotlight on Japan

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle Luckadoo, NBCT

7th Grade Social Studies

Durham School of the Arts

luckadmd@dpsnc.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

~A very special thanks to the Freeman Foundation~

 

 

 Thanks to Bogdan Leja, UNC-CH; Louisa Kilgroe, NC State; and Yoko Kano, UNC-Wilmington for instructing, coordinating and traveling with the NCTAN teachers.

 

 

In addition, I would like to thank my NCTAN travel buddies for their ideas, insights, and impressions that have forever changed my perspectives of China and Japan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spotlight on Japan

 

Japan Sites

 

Background Notes: Japan

http://www.state.gov/www/background_notes/japan_0007_bgn.html

 

CIA World Factbook

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html

 

Kids Web Japan – Virtual Japanese Culture

http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/

 

Japan Information Network – Statistics, Regions and Cities, Japan Atlas, Japan Directory, Japan Web Navigator, Trends in Japan, Japan Insight, NIPPONIA, The Japan of Today, Virtual Museum of the Traditional Japanese Arts, Kids Web Japan, and JIN Plaza

http://www.jinjapan.org/

 

JAPAN NOW – Online

www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/index.htm

 

 

Books

 

Minear, Richard H., Through Japanese Eyes (1994) An anthology of articles that “attempts to recreate the reality of everyday life as experienced by the Japanese people.”

 

Japanese Family and Culture  ISBN4-533-02020-8

 

Introduction to Japanese Culture ISBN 0-8048-2056-2

 

A Look Into Japan  ISBN4-533-01381-3

 

Kalman, Bobbie. Japan the culture – Japan the land – Japan the people – This three book set is a WONDERFUL resource. They are interesting and quick reads.

 

Paterson, Katherine. Of Nightingales That Weep – This novel set in Medieval Japan details the life of a daughter of a samurai.

 

Paterson, Katherine. The Sign of the Chrysanthemum –This novel set in Medieval Japan details the life of a son of a samurai.

 

Paterson, Katherine. The Master Puppeteer – This novel set in Tokugawa Japan is suitable for middle school readers

 

 

 

 

Other resources you can borrow or how to obtain materials on Japan.

 

 

Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta

http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp

They can provide you with posters and some reading materials if you contact the office. All it takes is a simple email!

 

 

North Carolina Japan Center

Francis A. Moyer, Director

919-515-3450

http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/project/ncjapancenter/www/

They will let you borrow books and videos. They have copies of the Japan Diaries!

 

 

 

Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program

http://www.glocomnet.or.jp/fmf/

You can apply online! This is an excellent opportunity for teachers of all subject areas!

 

 

 

 

Great Catalog

ASIA for KIDS  www.asiaforkids.com

Toll Free 1-800-888-9681