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pre-2011 elementary school ideas

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Message from mstark

Like you, I teach 6th grade and I also do not want to promote violence to my students. Animated films may be the route to go.

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Message from afitzpatrick

There is also a beautiful picture book called, Baseball Saved Us, by Ken Mochizuki. It is a story about a young Chinese American boy sent to a relocation camp during WWII. He is looked down upon by American children before he is sent away, then he plays baseball at the camp and gets very good at it. In the end he goes back to his American school, and becomes well-liked because he now has baseball as a common ground with the American students.

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Message from afitzpatrick

I'm super excited about the Beijing Olympics. I have allready reserved a day on the master calendar for the upcoming school year for a sixth grade olympics. This way I can also add more information about China during my unit on Greece!

I picked up a realy cool activity book at Education Station called "Journey to Beijing 2008", by teacher created resources. It shows how it aligns to the state standards as well. It has stories, tangrams, art activities, etc.

My uncle works in the sporting goods industry, so I have a lot of Olympics posters to put on my wall.

Since the equestrian events are in Hong Kong rather than Beijing, it's a good opportunity to show the British influence on Hong Kong. The equestrian events are all of British influence. If anyone has any questions about those events, I should be able to answer them. I was a show jumper for a long time. :-D

I also have a picture up on my wall of me stadning on the Great Wall in fron of the olympics sign.

One World, One Dream, Beijing 2008[Edit by="afitzpatrick on Jul 28, 10:43:08 PM"][/Edit]

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Message from lgates

Oh yes I rember having a tanogram set. I didn't realize that was a chinese idea. I will incorporate that into my art curriculum with origami and tesselation.

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Message from mgu

I used to teach K-4 and the school is in South Carolina. K-4 students participate the Chinese New Year celebration with the local community. It was a big project and focused on China and Chinese holiday. However, students have many opportunities to learn about China (not just holidays/celebrations) and the influence of Chinese culture on other East Asian countries (i.e. Vietnamese New Year) through the preparation for the celebration.

The students decorate the hallway and the gym with their character writing as well as other arts projects (making lanterns, etc.). Through these activities, they learned about the Chinese arts, the symbols in Chinese arts, and symbols in different celebration. The students also learn different chants/rhymes/songs related to Chinese New Year or different seasonal celebrations. They also learned the celebration of Chinese New Year not just in China but also in Chinese communities in USA. They read the story of the origin of Chinese New Year and through the story the teach would be able to introduce many symbolic meanings. Finally the students were able to perform the songs/rhymes at the event and observe the celebration in a smaller scale (in the gym) but with other community members.

It was a project that requires a lot of time, collaboration, and preparation. But the students enjoyed a lot and learned so much. The young learners responded very well to music, visuals, and story telling. Most of all, they could showcase their learning in a real setting.

Considering the scale of this project, individual elementary classes might take one or two elements of this project. For example, explore Chinese fables and have students make illustrations to show their understanding. Students can also role play celebrations, historical events, and culture practice.

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Message from sdubin

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

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Message from sdubin

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

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Message from mclancy

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
Topic replies: 1894
Topic Posts: 604
Message from 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.

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Message from sdubin

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 sdubin@socal.rr.com for a copy or click the link for the attachment.
Susan Dubin[Edit by="sdubin on Feb 2, 4:59:27 PM"][/Edit]

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Message from ehernandez

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.

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Message from abrooks

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
Topic replies: 1894
Topic Posts: 604
Message from 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.

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Message from dmunoz

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!

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Message from abrooks

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.

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Message from bberry

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]

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Message from cchin

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

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Message from cchin

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.

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Message from dcolato

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]

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Message from janetgarcia

I think the idea of exposing students is an eyeopener for them as they hear the differences of the music we play and that of other countries such as East Asia. Providing music with a video is even better. This will tap into visual and audio learners. I will definitely use music in my unit.

Richard Rosales
Topic replies: 39
Topic Posts: 3
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"The Emperor's Seed"

Great story about integrity.

 

The Emperor’s Seed — A Story About Integrity

There was once an Emperor who had no children and needed to choose a successor.

Thousands of children from across the kingdom came to the palace and were surprised when the Emperor exclaimed that he was going to choose one of them. He gave them all a seed. They were to go home to their villages, plant the seed in a pot and tend it for a year. When they return in a year, the Emperor would judge their efforts and choose his successor.

There was a boy named Ling who received his seed and returned to his village.

His mother helped him to choose a pot and put some soil into it.

Ling watered his pot every day.

Once a week, the children of the village would get together to compare their plants. After a few weeks, there were signs of life in all but Ling’s pot.

The weeks passed and Ling continued to water his pot every day.

After a few months, the pots really came to life. Some had trees starting to grow, some had flowers and some had leafy shrubs. Poor old Ling still had nothing growing in his pot, leading the other children to make fun of him.

Ling continued to water his pot every day.

A year passed and it was time to return to the palace to show what had grown and decide on the new heir.

Ling was anxious as his pot still showed no signs of life. “What if they punish me? They won’t know that I’ve watered it every day, they’ll think that I’m lazy.”

His mother looked him in the eye and explained that whatever the consequences were, he had to return and show the Emperor his barren pot.

Ling and the other children entered the palace gates. By now, some of the plants were looking magnificent and the children were wondering which one the Emperor would choose.

Ling was embarrassed as other children looked at his lifeless pot and scoffed.

The Emperor came out and started to make his way through the crowd, looking at the many impressive trees, shrubs and flowers that were on display. The boys all puffed their chests out and tried to look as regal as possible, hoping that they would be chosen as the heir to the empire.

Then the Emperor came to Ling. He looked at the pot then he looked at Ling.

“What happened here?” He asked.

“I watered the pot every day, but nothing ever grew.” Ling muttered nervously.

Then he moved on.

After a few hours, the Emperor finally finished his assessment looking at wonderful grown plants.

He stood in front of the children and congratulated them on their efforts.

“Clearly, some of you desperately want to be Emperor and would do anything to make that happen, but there is one boy that I would like to point out as he has come to me with nothing. Ling, come here please.”

“Oh no,” thought Ling. He slowly sauntered to the front of the group, holding his barren pot.

The Emperor held up the pot for all to see and the other children laughed. Then the Emperor continued, “A year ago, I gave you all a seed. I told you to go away, plant the seed and return with your plant. The seeds that I gave you all were boiled until they were no longer viable and wouldn’t grow, but I see before me thousands of plants and only one barren pot. Integrity and courage are more important values for leadership than proud displays, so Ling here will be my heir.”

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