educating for asia

 

Asia-related unit plans for teachers

Aainaa: Reflections Through Indian Weddings*
Social studies level 3-5, for students to learn about Hindu, Sikh and Muslim wedding ceremonies as experienced by people living in New Zealand. An interactive learning experience for students with a teacher staff room

Calligraphy: symbols and signs - visual arts
Visual arts, level 3. In this unit, students research the forms and significance of calligraphy in traditional and contemporary Chinese society and develop symbols of their own

Chinese Lanterns - technology
Technology, level 3. In this unit students investigate the structures required to make a lantern and then design and create a lantern of their own

Chinese Lantern Festival - social studies
Social studies levels 1-4, Culture and Heritage. This multi-level unit focuses on the Lantern Festival, a Chinese New Year festivity celebrated in communities all over the world

Chinese Lantern Festival - the arts
The arts levels 1-4 including visual, dance, music and drama activities. This unit focuses on the Lantern Festival, a Chinese New Year festivity celebrated in communities all over the world

Cultural Integration: The Great Immigration Debate*
Social Studies, NCEA level 2, Culture and Heritage, Time, Continuity and Change. Students explore, examine and explain ways people influence society and the reasons why people respond to particular values. This unit explores the cultural identities of Maori, Pakeha and Chinese in New Zealand society

Destination: South Korea*
Social studies level 3, Time, Continuity and Change. Students travel on a mock flight to South Korea to take a look at the Korean education system and way of life. This unit involves carrying out an inquiry and a values exploration

Fortune's Cookie*
Social Studies level 5, Place and Environment and Culture and Heritage. A look at the arrival and movement of Chinese goldminers during the nineteenth century and the impact on the societies they encountered

Hindu Festival - Let's Share Diwali  NEW!
Social Studies level 1 and 2 and level 3 and 4, Identity, Culture and Organisation. Looks at the various cultures of New Zealand and how practices may vary but reflect similar purposes. All of the key competencies are explored through these units

Leaders of Asia
Social studies level 3, Social Organisation. Has students explore what makes a 'leader' and gives examples of four leaders across Asia

Living in Our Family
Social studies level 1, 2, 3, Culture and Heritage. Has students consider what it is like to live in a culture other than their own

New Faces, Old Fears
Social studies, levels 5-6. This unit looks at the immigration debate and contemporary New Zealand's race relations through the eyes of Asian New Zealanders. DVD documentary to support the unit is available on request from Janine Chin

Our Life, Our Culture
Social studies levels 3-4, Culture and Heritage. The unit has a focus on how we express aspects of our culture through music, dance, stories, etc

Picking up the Pieces*
Social Studies level 4, Social Organisation. Using the Gujarat, India earthquake, this unit looks at how people organize themselves in response to challenges and crisis

Rangoli - an Art of India
The arts, visual arts discipline levels 3-4. This unit is divided into two parts. The first explores the ritual art of Rangoli and part two focuses on designing and making Rangoli patterns to reflect the local environment

Satyagraha: Mahatma Gandhi's Life in Dance*
Dance and visual arts, level 4. In this unit students research the life and work of Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, and create a four-scene dance drama that depicts aspects of Indian culture, and incidents in Gandhi's life. There is an accompanying case study that describes how Maidstone Intermediate teachers and students put the unit into practice, culminating in a performance in Stage Challenge 2004

Saying Sorry*
Social studies level 6, Time, Continuity and Change. A look at the Poll Tax imposed on Chinese immigrants in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and the impact it has had on future generations

Sister Cities*
Social studies level 5, Culture and Heritage strand. Students investigate their own city and its culture and that of their sister city or any overseas city. Xiamen in China is used as an example in the resource. Applicable to the study of any city in Asia. (Developed by the Wellington Xiamen Association with support from Asia:NZ)

The Killing Fields (Cambodia)*
Social Studies level 5, Place and Environment. Using Cambodians as an example, this unit looks at why people move between places and the consequences on the people and the places they visit

War and Peace - the Battle for Vietnam*
Social Studies, NCEA level 1, Time Continuity and Change level 6. Students use the Vietnam War as an example to explore the beliefs and ideas that change society and continue to change it

Who's the Boss*
Social Studies level 5, Social Organisation. Students explore and explain how systems of Government are organized and how they can affect peoples’ lives. Cambodia under the rule of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge are explored

Why Celebrate?*
Social Studies level 3, Time, Continuity and Change. Looks at how practices of different cultural groups vary but reflect similar purposes

Information and ideas for teachers

Books and resources

Websites

For further information, please contact:

Janine Chin
Schools Coordinator
Telephone: + 64 4 470 8707
Email: jchin@asianz.org.nz

*Disclaimer - These resources have been provided by Asia:NZ in good faith. No responsibility is taken for the validity and appropriateness of the information. Teachers are advised to review the resources prior to using them in the classroom.