Explore the diverse cultures that originate from and thrive in the Pacific Rim and East Asia. The activities, resources, books, and lesson plans below support the study of vibrant ancient cultures, flourishing modern Asian Pacific societies, and how Asian Pacific influence travels oceans to infuse and define American culture today.
Articles
Confucianism
Learn about Confucianism, the philosophical system founded on the teaching of Confucius, which dominated the sociopolitical life of China for most of that country's history and largely influenced the cultures of Korea, Japan, and Indochina.
Daoism (Taoism)
Learn about Daoism (sometimes called Taoism), a movement that developed alongside Confucianism into both a philosophy and a religion, becoming one of the major belief systems in traditional China.
Chinese Exclusion Acts
The 1882, 1892, and 1902 Chinese Exclusion Acts deterred Chinese people from immigrating to America.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a nation made up of thousands of islands that stretch in a long arc and is the largest country of Southeast Asia in both area and population.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is situated on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. Learn more.
Personal Perspective: Reflections on a Walk Through Chinatown
Lisa A. Lee discusses how race, language and culture connect to early childhood identity development based on her own Asian-American experience.
Activities and Resources
Ken Mochizuki Interview Transcript
Author Ken Mochizuki was interviewed by Scholastic students, parents, and teachers.
Asian Pacific American Heritage
Notable Asian Pacific Americans: An Asian Pacific American Heritage Activity
Angel Island: Angel Island: An Asian Pacific American Heritage Activity
Lesson Plans
So Many Inventions!
Shares a lesson about Chinese inventions and inventors involving students building and using their own compasses.
Comparing Lifestyles
Students learn about China from literature. Then they compare and contrast their lifestyle to the life of a Chinese child.
Lon Po Po: A Chinese Fairytale Lesson Plan
Allows students to compare the popular fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood to a similar Chinese tale, Lon Po Po. Explores the similarities and differences between the two cultures.
Unit Plans
Asian American History Teacher's Guide
Exploring China
This unit introduces students to the culture of China. Students compare the U.S. to China and learn through literature and Internet resources.
- Subjects:Asia, Asian, Asian-American Month
