JapanKits

The JapanKits are a collection of materials to explore aspects of culture and life in Japan. Based on K-12 teacher input, the JapanKits were revised in 2006 around three broad themes: home and seasonal occasions;school and pop culture; and society, history, and the arts. For a list of the contents, please click on the links.

The JapanKits are free to use. The Center for Japanese Studies pays the one-way shipping cost; the user agrees to pay a $25 damage/replacement deposit (refundable) for each kit prior to loan, and to pay the return shipping fee. Remit checks to "The University of Michigan." There is a maximum of 21 days from postdate sent to postdate returned. Reserve a JapanKit with CJS at 734-764-6307, or umcjs@umich.edu.

japan-related videos for use in classroom
The Center for Japanese Studies and U-M's Language Resource Center collaborated on creating a short series of videos for use in Japanese language classrooms. These videos are available by contacting Jane Ozanich at jozanich@umich.edu.

Japanese School of Detroit

The Japanese School of Detroit is a K-12 school focusing on Japanese language and culture for area students. They support a website of resources useful for teaching or learning.

Educator Exchanges

Institute of International Education - IIE fosters mutual understanding through nearly 20,000 educator exchanges and trainings it hosts.

Japan Society offers courses, workshops and summer study tours in Japan for K-12 educators.

Finding K-12 resources on Japan

The following are specially suited to teaching precollege age students.
See also links in the general information page (geography, culture, and history).
The Japan-related exhibits online page links to text and images on culture arts.

• Arts of Japan - A Reader's Guide gives 450 of the best articles available in English. Most come from three journals for non-specialists: Arts of Asia, Asian Art, and Orientations.
• Asian Educational Media Service at the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).
• Asian Studies Syllabus and Bibliography Collection Online at Kapiolani Community College (Hawaii). Useful for teachers at all levels.
• AskAsia gives teaching resources from the Asia Society (New York), including comparison tables.
• Bridge to Japan annotates Japan-related Internet resources.
• Education About Asia gives theme-based online articles from the magazine (Association for Asian Studies).
• Freer Gallery of Asian Art has an Educational Programs Page for teachers.
• Images from Japan is a collection of various photographs of Japanese sights and scenes.
• ImaginAsia - a free family program for children ages 6-12 (Freer Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.).
• J GUIDE has links practically all Japan subjects.
• Japanese Writing, Practice writing skills by following along with the animated characters.
• Kids' Web Japan, for overseas children ages 10-14 who wish to learn about Japan; also for teachers to supplement textbook information.
• Maps from National Geographic Society in PDF (the Zoom-in feature of Acrobat Reader is handy for PDF display).
• National Clearinghouse for U.S.-Japan Studies has a wealth of lesson plans, images and articles.
• Okinawa: The American Years 1945-72
• Teacher Training Institute through Exchange: Japan
• Teaching (and Learning) about Japan, an annotated collection of Web pages on Japan at Cleveland State University.