North Carolina-Centered Resources
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These lesson plans were created by the Carolina Asia Center team to fit the needs of North Carolina teachers. They align with N.C. standards and common core standards.
This site is under construction, but please browse the lesson plans that are available.
Elementary | Middle School | High School | Community College
Elementary
Along the Silk Road: A Journey of Global Exchange
In this lesson, students will learn about the Silk Road and compare it with global exchanges that are occurring today. Students will begin with an introduction to the meaning of a global exchange. Students will then watch a Ted Talk about the Silk Road, followed by a discussion about the ancient trading routes and the importance of Marco Polo. Students will simulate traveling along the Silk Road by going on a visual tour of key cities. For each “city,” students will map the trade routes and analyze artifacts as a class that range from ceramics to textiles. Students will discuss the importance of the cultural exchange that occurred along the Silk Road and how it is global exchange occurs in their community today.
Asian Historical Fiction Book Set Lesson Plan
This lesson plan pairs with our Asian Historical Book Set available through Carolina Navigators. The lesson explores themes in Asian historical fiction through reading comprehension, vocabulary, finding evidence, and visual activities. The teacher models activities with the class with A Song for Cambodia. Then, the students get in reading groups and attempt the activities on new books, including The Coolies, The Lotus Seed, and The Cambodian Dancer. An extension activity is held with themes from the The Dalai Lama.
Let’s Celebrate! Lunar New Year, Nadaam, and more
Students will celebrate holidays from all around Asia while discussing the meaning of holidays and cultural differences. Students will compare and contrast Lunar New Year, Nadaam, Children’s Day, and Dragon Boat Festival with holidays in the United States. Activities range from reading literature to creating Japanese carp fish kites, koinobori.
One Ticket Please: Immigration to United States
Students will explore Myanmar and China through geography and books. They will then role play what it is like to immigrate from China and to immigrate from Myanmar as a refugee. Afterwards, students will discuss famous citizens who have immigrated from China and Myanmar and how they have shaped the community around them. Students will also discuss how their cultures have permeated life in North Carolina and the United States.
Middle School
Along the Silk Road: A Journey of Global Exchange
In this lesson, students will learn about the Silk Road and compare it with global exchanges that are occurring today. Students will begin with an introduction to the meaning of a global exchange and a review of civilizations. Students will then watch a TedEd Talk about the Silk Road, followed by a discussion about the ancient trading routes and the importance of global travelers like Ibn Battuta. After watching the video, students will then simulate traveling along the Silk Road by visiting stations that represent key cities. At each “city,” students will map the route and analyze artifacts that range from photographs to non-fiction accounts. To conclude the activity, students will discuss the importance of the cultural exchange that occurred along the Silk Road and how global exchange continues to occur in their communities today.
Students will learn about the impact of religion on Indian culture and society through the dance Bharatanatyam. They will utilize a reading created with the help of a professor from University of North Carolina and a local community member to analyze a video clip of the dance. Students will also learn about the dance Bhangra and how it is a fusion of Indian and Western cultures. They will read a newspaper article to see how Bhangra has impacted North Carolina and watch a video of University of North Carolina’s Bhangra team. An optional extension is students will create their own Bhangra dance.
Oral Histories of Migration: Asian Americans in North Carolina
In this lesson, students will learn to Identify key reasons why people immigrate to United States and understand the history of Asian migration to the United States. From this lesson, students will recognize Asian American leaders in business, government, and culture and understand the changes occurring in North Carolina and United States from these immigrants bringing their traditions and cultures. They will analyze oral histories as a primary source with their advantages and limitations. Resources include materials from the AAS publication Education about Asia, the Carolina Navigators program, and links to other material that may be appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.
High School
Along the Silk Road: A Journey of Global Exchange
In this lesson, students will learn about the Silk Road and compare it with global exchanges that are occurring today. Students will begin with an introduction to the meaning of a global exchange and a review of civilizations. Students will then watch a TedEd Talk about the Silk Road, followed by a discussion about the ancient trading routes and the importance of global travelers like Ibn Battuta. After watching the video, students will then simulate traveling along the Silk Road by visiting stations that represent key cities. At each “city,” students will map the route and analyze artifacts that range from photographs to non-fiction accounts. To conclude the activity, students will discuss the importance of the cultural exchange that occurred along the Silk Road and how global exchange continues to occur in their communities today.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: A Turning Point in History
Students will debate the American and Japanese point of views of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Students will listen to oral histories and read primary sources to cite as evidence in their debate. They will research the short-term and long-term effects of the atomic bomb, including the increased military competition and the effects on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As extensions, students can write a letter to Harry Truman describing their viewpoint on the atomic bomb decision, pretend to present at a Nuclear Security Summit, or research Japanese-American Internment camps. A DBQ is also included.
My Neighbor Totoro: A Timeline of Japanese Post-War History
Students will construct a timeline of Japanese modern history from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. They will analyze visual and literary sources to summarize themes of different Japanese time periods, including the impact of modernization and new technology. They will compare and contrast different time periods and how the difference is portrayed in the Japanese anime film, My Neighbor Totoro. Students will practice collaboration, research techniques, presentation skills,and analysis. This lesson plan also utilizes their creativity in an assessment involving Japanese art.