The State-wide Vermont Program for Asian Studies in Schools
Sponsored and Managed
by the University of Vermont Asian Studies Outreach Program

2005-6 ASOP Program Brochure:

The State-wide Program for Asian Studies in Schools, initiated by the University of Vermont (UVM) and funded by the Freeman Foundation and the U.S.-Japan Foundation, promotes teaching and learning about Asia in Vermont schools at levels K-12. The UVM Asian Studies Outreach Program (ASOP) cooperates with schools, supervisory unions, and the State Department of Education to implement the State-wide Program. All activities of the State-wide Program are designed in conformity with Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. Those activities include an in-service program for teachers, overseas programs for teachers, school-to-school exchanges, overseas programs for school leaders, in-state and overseas programs for high school students, curriculum design and instruction, and touring art exhibitions.

I. In-Service Program

This in-service program is designed for teachers from kindergarten through grade 12. It provides a broad overview of the history of Asian countries, including an examination of political, economic, social and cultural characteristics.

The program includes a two-day state-wide fall conference to be held on October 7 and 8, 2005, at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington, Vermont, and a series of after-school regional conferences and workshops held throughout the year. Instruction is conducted by faculty from the University of Vermont and other colleges.
The conferences and workshops assist teachers in designing instructional activities when they teach about Asia. Hands-on experiences are highly emphasized. A minimum charge for materials and lunch applies.

• To organize regional conferences or workshops in schools, contact the ASOP office.

• A separate flyer will be sent out for each conference or workshop with more detailed information.

Application Deadline: Two weeks prior to conference or workshop date with an e-mail message to Kunie Renaudto indicate the number of participants. Application to the ASOP office ONLY.

II. Overseas Programs for Teachers

The Institute on China and Its Cultures

This year’s institute reflects a collaborative effort between ASOP and the Vermont Alliance for Arts Education and is funded in part by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Participants will study Chinese art history, art techniques and folk arts through lectures, workshops, field trips and visits to art museums and cultural centers. They will also examine art education practices in China. An extended period in one location will allow participants to have maximum opportunities to interact with professional Chinese artists and art teachers.

• Credits: 3
• Dates: Saturday, June 24 to Saturday, July 15, 2006
• Locations: Beijing, Qufu (Confucius’ hometown in Shandong Province), Xi'an and Hohhot (Capital of Inner Mongolia)
• Enrollment limit: 15, all required to take this program as graduate course of three credits at UVM
• Cost: $1,450 plus UVM tuition
• Application Deadline: December 16, 2005
• Application to the ASOP office ONLY

Selection process will be completed by mid-January, 2006. Notification of acceptance will be sent out at the end of January, 2006. Planning sessions will be held on Saturdays, April 8, May 6, and June 3, 2006. A reunion conference will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2006. A follow-up session will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2007. All participants are required to attend all the planning sessions, follow-up sessions and two after school regional curriculum planning sessions.

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The Institute in Japan

This program will provide opportunities for Vermont teachers to explore various aspects of Japanese history, politics, economy, and education in Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima through lectures, workshops, fieldtrips and homestays. More than 120 teachers have participated in this program since 1999.

• Credits: 3
• Dates: Saturday, July 1 to Saturday, July 22, 2006
• Locations: Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima
• Enrollment limit: 20, all required to take this program as graduate course of three credits at UVM
• Cost: $1,450 plus UVM tuition
• Application Deadline: December 16, 2005
• Application to the ASOP office ONLY

Selection process will be completed by mid-January, 2006. Notification of acceptance will be sent out at the end of January, 2006. Planning sessions will be held on Saturdays, April 8, May 6, and June 3, 2006. A reunion conference will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2006. A follow-up session will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2007. All participants are required to attend all the planning sessions, follow-up sessions and two after school regional curriculum sessions.

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The Institute on Japan and Its Cultures

This institute is a thematic program for teachers and school administrators sponsored by ASOP with funding from the U.S.-Japan Foundation. The theme for this program is “Curriculum Reforms and Their Impacts on Students.” Participants will visit a variety of schools in Japan, study approaches for improvement of education in that country, and work with Japanese teachers on the best practices to develop student skills and creativity. They will have opportunities to experience Japanese culture in the context of the institute’s theme. Homestay is one of the program’s highlights.

• Credits: 3
• Dates: Sunday, June 25 to Wednesday, July 12, 2006
• Locations: Kyoto, Tokyo, and Wakayama
• Enrollment limit: 10, all required to take this program as graduate course of three credits at UVM
• Cost: $1,350 plus UVM tuition
• Application Deadline: December 16, 2005
• Application to the ASOP office ONLY

Selection process will be completed by mid-January, 2006. Notification of acceptance will be sent out at the end of January, 2006. Planning sessions will be held on Saturdays, April 8, May 6, and June 3, 2006. A reunion conference will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2006. A follow-up session will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2007. All participants are required to attend all the planning sessions, follow-up sessions and two after-school regional curriculum sessions.

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The Institute in Thailand

This institute enables participating teachers to study the history, religions and culture of Thailand. During the past five years, more than 100 teachers have participated in this program.

• Credits: 3
• Dates: Sunday, June 25 to Sunday, July 16, 2006
• Locations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Khorat
• Enrollment limit: 20, all required to take this program as graduate course of three credits at UVM
• Cost: $1,450 plus UVM tuition
• Application Deadline: December 16, 2005
• Application to the ASOP office ONLY

Selection process will be completed by mid-January, 2006. Notification of acceptance will be sent out at the end of January, 2006. Planning sessions will be held on Saturdays, April 8, May 6, and June 3, 2006. A reunion conference will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2006.

A follow-up session will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2007. All participants are required to
attend all the planning sessions, follow-up sessions and two after school regional curriculum sessions.

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The Advanced Institute on Asia for ASOP Veteran Participants

This program is designed for Vermont educators who have visited Thailand to have a second opportunity to study Thai cultures and people in depth. The theme of this institute is “International Education: What Can We Learn from Each Other?” The institute will be held in Chang Mai where many aspects of Thai culture are represented. In addition to activities related to the theme, participants will study local cultures and communities, and have maximum possible interactions with local people and teachers.

• Credits: 3
• Dates: Sunday, June 25 to Sunday, July 16, 2006
• Locations: Bangkok and Chiang Mai
• Enrollment limit: 15, all required to take this program as graduate course of three credits at UVM
• Cost: $1,450 plus UVM tuition
• Application Deadline: December 16, 2005
• Application to the ASOP office ONLY

Selection process will be completed by mid-January, 2006. Notification of acceptance will be sent out at the end of January, 2006. Planning sessions will be held on Saturdays, April 8, May 6, and June 3, 2006. A reunion conference will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2006. A follow-up session will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2007. All participants are required to attend all the planning sessions, follow-up sessions and two after school regional curriculum sessions.

Notes:
Qualified participants must have visited Thailand before, have sufficient documentation on teaching about Thailand in Vermont schools, and be prepared to exchange ideas on and experiences in teaching about other countries.

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Notes for All Overseas Programs:

a) The overseas programs are open to Vermont teachers and school administrators only.

b) Each participant must receive his or her school principal's approval for applying for and participating in a program.

c) Teachers in the overseas programs are expected to participate in the conferences and workshops sponsored by ASOP in Year 2006-2007. They are also expected to teach about China, Japan or Thailand in their schools when they return from abroad.

d) Those who have visited China, Japan or Thailand through ASOP sponsored programs must teach about the country they have visited for at least two years in order to qualify for participation in another overseas program. This insures a broad base of participation by Vermont teachers. The only exception for this two-year rule is the Advanced Institute on Asia that enrolls anyone who has visited Thailand regardless of the year of the visit.

e) The cost indicated for each program covers international transportation, domestic transportation, instructional fees in Asia, field trips, housing, and three meals a day. The institutes in Japan arrange for participants to stay with host families for part of the program. Those participants are expected to pay for lunches on the days of lectures ($6.00/day for 7 days). The program cost does not include visa application fees of $50 per person for the programs in China.

f) Participants who withdraw from the course after the first spring planning session date will be billed for the full amount of cost which includes UVM course tuition and all program fees.

III. Overseas Program for School Leaders

Sino-American Seminar on Educational Leadership

The program includes opportunities to learn first hand about Chinese education, exchange ideas with Chinese educational leaders and visit Chinese schools in session. Other professional and cultural activities will be organized, including visits to the most famous cultural and historical sites in Beijing such as the Great Wall.

• Dates: Sunday, April 16 to Saturday, April 29, 2006
• Location: TBA
• Theme: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• Enrollment Limit: 20
• Cost: $1,200
• Application to the ASOP office ONLY

Notes:

• Participants are required to attend two planning sessions scheduled for Friday, February 3 and Friday, March 10, 2006, and the reunion conference on September 23, 2006.

• Participants are required to help their schools make a commitment to the State-wide Program by selecting teachers to participate. The participants are expected to support teachers in their efforts to teach and learn about Asia.

IV. The School-to-School Exchange with China

This long-standing exchange program enables Vermont teachers to work in China for at least two months. Two teachers will be selected from Vermont schools in the 2005-2006 academic year. In China they are expected to teach English and American culture to students in a high school or a college. International transportation, living expenses, and the cost for substitute teachers in sending-schools will be covered.

V. The Governor's Institute on Asian Cultures (GIAC)

Co-sponsored with the Governor's Institute of Vermont (GIV), this program assists high school students in studying Asia beyond their school curriculum. 24 students will be selected to study Asian cultures with university professors during the summer. In the following summer, they visit China for first hand experiences and direct contacts with Chinese people and students through workshops and fieldtrips.

GIAC Vermont

• Dates:: Sunday, June 25 to Saturday, July 1, 2006. Follow-up sessions will be announced at the summer session.
• Location: UVM campus
• Application: GIV representatives at the guidance offices in high schools
• Cost: $550

Note: Only one participant will be selected from each high school. Preference will be given to the applicants who make GIAC the first choice among all GIV programs. First considerations will be given to those who have not visited China.

GIAC China

• Dates: Saturday, July 8 to Saturday, July 29, 2006
• Locations: Beijing, Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, Xi'an, and Qufu, Confucius' hometown in Shandong Providence
• Application to the ASOP office only
• Cost: $900

Note: Only those who have participated in the GIAC Vermont in the summer of 2005 are eligible for this program.

VI. Curriculum Design and Instruction

Participants in all teacher programs both in Vermont and in Asian countries will be assisted in designing curriculum units. Workshops and technical support will be offered throughout the year. Asian nationals will assist in classrooms upon request. Contact ASOP personnel for details.

A curriculum library is open daily at the ASOP office. Call 802 – 656 – 5738 for visit to the library during the after hours. Many materials are available for free loan for a limited period of time.

VII. Touring Art Exhibitions

Three touring art exhibitions are available for Vermont schools. The first has 45 pieces of painting and calligraphy by Chinese children. The second has 24 enlarged photos taken by Jenny Peck when she visited China and Japan. The third has 40 pieces of art work by children in Thailand.

Each school can have an exhibit for up to a week. Schools in the same supervisory unions are encouraged to schedule exhibits consecutively. To have any of these exhibits, contact Kunie Renaud at Kunie.Renaud@uvm.edu.

The State-wide Program for Asian Studies in Schools is managed by
UVM Asian Studies Outreach Program (ASOP)

ASOP Personnel

Juefei Wang, Director <jwang@uvm.edu>
Bill Williams, Coordinator for Field Support <yunnanvt@verizon.net>
Kunie Renaud, Program Assistant <kunie.renaud@uvm.edu>


ASOP Address:

Asian Studies Outreach Program
The University of Vermont
479 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05405

Phone: (802) 656-7985
Fax: (802) 656-8472

Visit ASOP website:
http://www.uvm.edu/~outreach
This site includes program descriptions, sample curriculum units, resources for instruction, virtual tours of overseas programs, and information on upcoming events.

Link to the website of UVM Asian Studies Program:
http://www.uvm.edu/~asian

Services and Opportunities for Vermont Schools
Through the State-wide Program for Asian Studies in Schools

The Asian Studies Outreach Program (ASOP) of the University of Vermont promotes teaching and learning about Asia in the state of Vermont. With funding from the Freeman Foundation, ASOP initiated the State-wide Program for Asian studies in Vermont Schools in 1997. The goal of the State-wide Program is to introduce the content of Asia into the curricula of all Vermont schools, kindergarten through the 12th grade.

To implement the State-wide Program, ASOP provides a variety of services and opportunities. Those services and opportunities include a website, workshops, consultation on curriculum and instruction, school visits by Asian nationals, cultural kits, curriculum library, and touring exhibits. Most of those services are free of charge.

Consultation on Curriculum and Instruction
ASOP provides technical assistance for teachers who teach about Asia. Several experienced professionals knowledgeable about the content of Asia and strategies for teaching provide on-site consultation on curriculum design and instructional approaches.
The consultation is free of charge.  Appointments should be made with Kunie Renaud, ASOP office coordinator.

Cultural Kits
ASOP has created eleven cultural kits for teachers to borrow when they teach about Asia. The kits are: China K-8, China 9-12, Ethnic Minorities of China, Ancient China, Chinese Shadow Puppet, Japan K-8, Japan 9-12, Japanese Toys, Thailand Culture K-12, Thailand Art and Music K-12, and Bali, Indonesia. Typical content of a kit includes handicrafts, books, postcards, videotape, CD ROM, and a map.

Each kit is on loan for up to two weeks. Pre-scheduling is required due to popular demand. The policy of “first come, first serve” applies. All kits are free of charge. The receiving school is responsible for transporting the kits. Penalty for missing and damaged items applies. To schedule a kit, contact Kunie Renaud, ASOP office coordinator.

Curriculum Library
The ASOP curriculum library has an increasing number of books, CD ROMs, videotapes, handicrafts, and photos of China, Japan, Thailand and other Asian countries. The library is open to school professionals only. The library is open from 9:00 to 4:00. For an after-school visit, contact Kunie Renaud, ASOP Assistant, at Kunie.Renaud@uvm.edu. For more information and other services and opportunities, contact UVM ASOP, 479 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405; Telephone: 802-656-7985; Fax: 802-656-8472; or visit ASOP website www.uvm.edu/~outreach