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ASOP  Standard-Based  Units
        This page is designed to provide Vermont teachers with units of study that align to the
        Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities.  There are three types of
        units on this page.  The first are the units that are designed by Vermont teachers who have
        visited China or Japan through overseas institutes sponsored by the Asian Studies Outreach
        Program (ASOP) of the University of Vermont.  These units are designed according to Vermont
        Standards.

         The second type includes various units that are designed by educators who did not participate
         in the ASOP institutes but are published on the Internet.  The ASOP Consultant for Curriculum
         and Instruction, has provided a teaching guide, assessment ideas, and rubrics to align these units
         with Vermont standards.

         The third type of units are published materials that have been purchased by ASOP.  These units
         cannot be accessed on-line but are available for loan to Vermont teachers  through the UVM Asian
         Studies Outreach Program. The ASOP program has listed the Vermont standards that are
         addressed and assessed in the unit.

         Accuracy of the content is the responsibility of the authors of all of the above units.  ASOP is not
         responsible for any inaccuracy of the content.  However, ASOP welcomes comments and feedback
         from readers and users of this page.  For information about curriculum and units available, please
         email dlking@zoo.uvm.edu

Adobe Reader software is required to download entire units.  Adobe Reader is free software that is available at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

                    CHINA                                 JAPAN                              THAILAND                      ASIA

Grades K-4
Brushstrokes from West to East

Chinese Culture

China Fair

Diversity and Unity

LonPoPo

Why Are Celebrations Important?

Grades K-4
A Visit to Japan

Understanding Culture Through Storytelling
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Grades K-4 Grades K-4
Grades 5-8
Ancient China

Brushstrokes from West to East

Chinese Shadow Puppets (can be modified for all grade levels)

Diversity and Unity

Familiar Stories, Foreign Lands:
A Unit on Universal Themes in Multicultural Folktales

Imperial China and Feudal Japan: World History from 700-1500

Rites Controversy

Woven Wind, The History of Silk

Grades 5-8
Familiar Stories, Foreign Lands:
A Unit on Universal Themes in Multicultural Folktales

Imperial China and Feudal Japan:  World History from 700-1500

Indiana Jones and the Land of the Rising Sun

Japanese Garden in Miniature

Understanding Culture Through Storytelling
 

 

Grades 5-8
Folk Tales And Thailand

Familiar Stories, Foreign Lands:
A Unit on Universal Themes in Multicultural Folktales

Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12
Communist China and Modern Japan

Emperor Ashoka of India-What Makes a Ruler Legitimate? (explains how Buddhism was transplanted into China)

Understanding China in the 21st Century

Sources for additional resources can be found below under SEEING THE BIG PICTURE

Grades 9-12
Communist China and Modern Japan
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sources for additional resources can be found below under SEEING THE BIG PICTURE
 
 

 

Grades 9-12 Grades 9-12
Emperor Ashoka of India-What Makes a Ruler Legitimate? (explains how Buddhism was transplanted into China)

SEEING THE BIG PICTURE
Resources to guide a k-12 systemic approach to teaching about Asia.
This  resource guide serves two purposes:
1. Help classroom teachers locate curriculum material according to Vermont standards.

                        2. Provide information to schools and supervisory unions that will guide local curriculum
                            decisions so that Asian studies concepts and topics are introduced and developed in
                            an intentional manner as students move through the k-12 system.
Standards Pre K-4 Grades 5-8 Grades 9-12
6.1 Causes and Effects
in  Human Societies
6.2 Uses of Evidence
and Data
6.3 Analyzing Knowledge c Unit: Asia Through A 
Glass Darkly.
Stereotypes of Asians in 
Western Literature. http://www.askasia.org/frclasrm/readings/r000015.htm
6.4 Historical Connections  a.China Fair 
developed by 
UVM Asian Studies 
Outreach Program participants.  The unit will
acquaint students with the Shang dynasty of China and lead them to research about other  Chinese 
dynasties and inventions.(Unit also addresses 6.4c, 6.7d,e, 1.15  a,c,d, 1.19,1.20)
http://www.uvm.edu/~outreach

c.  China Fair (see info above)

ddd.Vermont Standards-
based Unit: Ancient China 
The first part of the unit allows the students to explore and discover information about an
ancient civilization that was 
unearthed in the middle of the 1950's. The second part of the unit allows students to expand 
their knowledge of ancient 
civilizations by researching  and comparing Chinese dynasties. 
(also addresses standards 6.4 c, dd 6.5a,c, 6.7bb,1.18, 1.20, 
2.1,  3.7)Available on the UVM Asian Studies Outreach Program
website
http://www.uvm.edu/~outreach
c. Unit:Medieval China
unit developed by teachers who 
participated in a 3 year  professional
development program. Medieval 
China (also  aligns with 6.4dd, 
6.13aa))
http://www.intrnet.csupomona.edu/~inch

dd.Unit:Economics of New 
Imperialism (*also aligns  with 
6.19f. See complete info for
California State  Polytechnic 
University's  website under 6.13aa)
dd. China:5,000 Years. An on-line
art exhibit that includes  major 
archaeological discoveries  from
the Neolithic period to the present.
(also addresses standard 5.25)

dd. National Center for History
unit: Emperor Ashoka of India:
What Makes a Ruler Legitimate?  3'rd century B.C.E. ruler who
attempted touse moral persuasion
rather  than sheer force to rule. (recommended for grades 7-12) 
Available for loan from UVM Asian Studies Outreach Program and for   purchase from 
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/nchs/

dd. SPICE Unit: Castle 
Tokugawa Japan. Intro to
Feudal Japan, castles and  Towns.SPICE information

dd. Unit:  Medieval China

ddd  Unit: Gandhi and Mao: 
A Comparison of Two 20'th Century Leaders. National
Center for History unit (aligned to National Standards). Available for a fee.  Information on how to order can be found on their website http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/nchs/ 

SPICE Units listed below are available for a fee.  visit http://www-iis.stanford.edu  or call 1-800-578-1114  for more information.
SPICE Unit:: Understanding Vietnam in the 21st Century:Political, Economic 
and Security Issues in the Asia/Pacific Region.
SPICE Unit: Understanding China in the 21st Century:Political, Economic, and Security Issues in the Asia/Pacific Region.
SPICE UnitChina and the World in 2010:An introduction to Futures Studies.
SPICE Unit: Choices in International Conflict.  Students role play members of an international tribunal to help resolve the conflict that still exists between Russia and Japan concerning ownership of islands north of Japan.
SPICE Unit: Understanding China in the 21st century. 

The Gate of Heavenly Peace
web site provides information of the film that explored the Tiananmen Square Protests, articles, essays and book excerpts containing analysis and interpretation of the protests, original source documents, video and audio clips, posters, photographs and artwork.

6.5 Traditional and Social Histories a. Unit:Ancient China  (See information listed above. c. National Center for History Unit: Women at the Heart of War, 1939-1945. Introduces students to Chinese, Russian,British, German and American
war sources. Students reflect on ethical war-time dilemmas. Available for fee
http:www.sscnet.ucla.edu/nchs/
6.6 Being a Historian c. American Memory Library 
of  Congress. (1800 photographs
from around the world 
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wtc/wtchome.html
c. SPICE Unit: Episodes in the History of U.S.-Japan Relations: Case Studies of Conflict, Conflict Management and Resolution. 
Available for a fee.  http://www-iis.stanford.edu
6.7 Geographical  Knowledge a. Asia Society Unit:  Visible Traces, Mapping Perceptions Lessson.Available for  a fee. http://www.askasia.org
b. A Vermont Standards-based Unit: A Visit to Japan (see info under 6.13a)

d. A Vermont Standards-based Unit: China Fair (see more info listed under 6.4)

e. A Vermont Standards-based Unit: China Fair (see more info listed under 6.4)

e. A Vermont Standards-based Unit: Diversity & Unity(see more info under 6.14)

aa.  Vermont Standards-based unit:
One World for Us All. 
       A unit on sustainability that 
      compares and contrast 
      environmental issues in China
      with the U.S.  Unit also 
      addresses standards 6.7dd,e, 
      2.1b,c,d, 2.2aa,bb,cc, 2.6, 
      7.6h, 7.9aa,cc, 7.13cc, 
      7.15ee)Available for
      loan from the UVM Asian 
      Studies Outreach Program. 
       dlking@zoo.uvm.edu
bb. Asia Society Unit: Visible Traces, Building An Empire 
lesson. Unit available for a fee. http://www.askasia.org
bb. Unit:  Ancient China
dd. Unit: One World For Us All
e    Unit: Diversity & Unity (also
       addresses 6.16a, 1.3c, 1.13c, 2.6, 2.11,6.14a)

6.8 Movements and Settlements aa.  Lesson plan: Port of Entry.
American Memory Library of
Congress web site.  http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedo/lessons.html
6.10 Types of Government aaa. The Gate of Heavenly Peace
web site (see info listed under 6.4ddd)http://www.nmis.org/Gate/

bbb Webquest: China Roots of the Revolution.
What are the roots of revolution? To what extent are revolutionary ideals a departure from the old ways; to what extent are they a continuation?  http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/kearny/roots

6.12 Human Rights bb. The Gate of Heavenly Peace website (see info unde 6.4ddd)http://www.nmis.org/Gate/
6.13 Concepts of Culture a. A Vermont Standards
based Unit: A Visit to Japan
created by a UVM Asian Studies
Outreach Program participant.
Students are introduced to very
basic facts regarding  the 
geography of Japan and the main
focus of the  unit is for students 
to develop an awareness and 
appreciation for Japanese culture.
(also addresses standards 6.7b, 
1.1a,e,1.13 b,c, 3.3) Available at
the UVM Asian Studies Outreach
Program website
http://www.uvm.edu/~outreach

a. Asia Society Unit: Visible
Traces, Expressing the Self Through
Word and Image. Unit available
for a fee. http://www.askasia.org

a. A Vermont Standards-based
Unit: LonPoPo
(see more info under 6.18a)

 a.A Vermont Standards
based Unit: Folktales from
Japan  (see more info under 
6.18a)

a. A website created with 
students about how children in
Russia, Thailand and the U.S.
live and learn. http://www.att.virtualclassroom.org/vc99/vc_100

b. Asia Society Unit: Visible Traces. Creating Characters Lesson. Available for a fee. http://www.askasia.org
 

aa. California State Polytechnic
University /National  Endowment
for the  Humanities Project Unit:
China Through the Arts
Unit: Medieval China (also aligns 
with 6.4c,dd) more info
http://www.intrnet.csupomona.edu/~inch

aa. Webquest : Samurai's Tale
(also addresses 1.7b,c, 1.20, 1.15f, 
6.4dd)

aa.  SPICE Unit:  Demystifying 
Chinese Language (compliments 
ancient civilization units and  world
culture studies). SPICE information

aa. Asia Society Unit: Visible 
Traces, The Power of Image and
Expressing the Self  Through Word
and Image lesson plans. Unit 
available for a fee .
http://www.askasia.org

bb. SPICE Unit:  Religion in
Japan and a Look at Cultural Transmission. SPICE information

bb. California State Polytechnic
University Unit: Literature of 
China and India
.http://www.intrnet.csupomona.edu/~inch

bb. Asia Society Unit: Visible Traces,Woodblock Printing and Writing Timelines lessons.Available for a fee. http://www.askasia.org
 

6.14 Forces of Unity and
Disunity
a.Vermont Standards-based Unit: Diversity & Unity (see more info) a. Vermont Standards
based Unit: Diversity & Unity. Diversity is  exemplified by 
China's 56 ethnic nationalities.  Students will look briefly at the
Han majority and then investigate several of the other Chinese nationality groups.  Several 
unifying characteristics, such as language, using chopsticks and money will also be investigated. 
This unit was developed by a 
UVM Asian Studies Outreach Program participant.  (also 
addresses standards 6.7,e, 
6.16a, 1.3c, 1.13c, 2.6, 2.11)
See Asian Studies website

b.  Asia Society Unit:
Visible Traces. Discovering Pictographs and Exploring
Multiple Language Use 
lesson plans. Unit available
for a fee.
http://www.askasia.org

b. Asia Society Unit: Visible Traces. Discovering Pictographs and Exploring Multiple Language Use lesson plans. Unit available 
for a fee..
http://www.askasia.org
6.15 Knowledge of 
Economic Principles
6.16 Impact of Economic 
Systems
a. Unit:Diversity & Unity
(see information under 6.14a)

c. Vermont Standards-
based unit: From Moth to
Cloth. A science,math, social studies, integrated unit on the
history of the silk and the trade system that developed from  this product. Unit also  addresses 1.15a,b,c,d,1.20, 2.14 a,b,c, 
3.14 b,c, 6.16 d,e, 6.4dd, 
7.13 aa,bb, 7.16 aa,cc) Unit is available for loan from the 
UVM Asian  Studies Outreach Program.

d.  Vermont Standards-
based unit: From Moth to
Cloth     (See info above)

e.   Vermont Standards
based unit: From Moth to
Cloth (see info above)

bb. SPICE Unit: Hong Kong in Transition. Available for a fee.
See information visit http:www-iis.stanford.edu or call 1-800-578-1114

c. The National Center for History unit:The People's Republic of China: Who Should Own the Land? 
Aligned to National Standards and can be purchased for a fee from 
their website at http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/nchs/

6.17 Governments and         Resources bb. California State Polytechnic  University unit: Economics of 
New Imperialism.  Developed by teachers who participated in a 3 
year  professional development 
program. Unit also addresses 
standard 6.19g http://www.intranet.csupomona.edu/~inch
6.18 Nature of Conflict a.Vermont Standards-based Unit: LonPoPo  This  literature
based unit  provides students with opportunities to compare  Little Red Riding Hood, with
the Chinese version, Lon Po
Po and the Korean version,
The Sun Girl and the Moon 
Boy. (also addresses standards 5.28a, 6.13a, 1.14b,d,e) 
a.Vermont Standards-based Unit: Folktales from Japan Throughout the unit students
will read, listen to, and discuss Japanese folktales. They will identify cultural elements  in the stories and record a  listing of those elements around the classroom. They will also make maps of  Japan and indicate possible settings for the stories. (also addresses standards 
5.13a, 6.13a, 1.3c, 1.14 e,
3.10, 3.3)
Available at the UVM Asian Studies Outreach  Program website
http://www.uvm.edu/~outreach
6.19 Identify and 
Interdepence
g. The Gate of Heavenly 
Peace website (See info under 6.4ddd) http://www.nmis.org/Gate/

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