Kansas NCTA

For great info on future opportunities, follow the pages of Asia for Educators https://www.facebook.com/asiaforeducators/ and the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia https://www.facebook.com/NCTAsia.

Dear educators:

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, making it a good time to be thinking about the history and culture of China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, enjoying both the positive aspects as well as examining excesses. Explore the resources below, and remember to follow Asia for Educators and the NCTA website for info about future PD opportunities.

1. FREE webinar on Wednesday, May 25, 5-6 PM (CT): “Plant-Based Asian Food Then & Now” which will trace the roots of recent plant-based food trends back to Asian culinary traditions. Register for this presentation from the National Museum of Asian Art at https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-BPgTsuVRdWmqIc5gy5RNw and try out some of the Museum’s other Asian recipes https://smithsonianapa.org/picklesandtea/.

2. Apply now for The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program, which sends expert U.S. K–12 educators to participating countries including Vietnam to support projects in schools, teacher training colleges, government ministries, and educational NGOs. Details and application at https://www.fulbrightteacherexchanges.org/programs/dast/.

3. FREE Streaming online May 13–29: The daring, innovative films of Chinese painter Qiu Jiongjiong presented by the National Museum of Asian Art. Qiu’s work is eccentric series of cinematic portraits of screen-stealing raconteurs. Details and reservations at https://qiujiongjiong.eventive.org/films.

4. View “How I Escaped from a Chinese Internment Camp” https://www.insider.com/comic-i-escaped-a-chinese-internment-camp-uyghur-2021-12 which won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting. Author Zumrat Dawut describes how Xinjiang in western China was turned into a police-state imprisoning Uyghurs like her.

Recommended resources for AAPI Heritage Month:
1. 180+ Asian and Asian American Books from the Colours of Us https://coloursofus.com/180-asian-asian-american-books-for-children-teenagers/. Also check out winners of the Freeman Book Awards https://nctasia.org/freeman-book-awards/.
2. Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center https://smithsonianapa.org/.
3. Library of Congress Asian Pacific American Resources for Teachers https://asianpacificheritage.gov/for-teachers/.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2022 - For Teachers Paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.

The Asian Studies Development Program from the East-West Center and the University of Hawai‘i is having two online workshops for educators this summer. Cost is $35 each.
1. June 10-11, 2:30 -6:00 PM (ET): "Women in Buddhism, an Introduction" will offer participants an introduction to women and their agency in Buddhist Asia. The program will include four lecture presentations, each followed by a content and curriculum development discussion. Details and registration at https://www.eastwestcenter.org/professional-development/asian-studies-development-program/asdp-summer-workshop-i.

2. August 10-11, 2:30 -6:00 PM (ET): "Modern China In Three Keys: History, Culture and Social Change" will offer participants an intensive introduction to modern China through the lenses of history, the arts and ethnicity. The program will include three lecture presentations, each followed by small group and plenary curriculum development discussions. Details and registration at https://www.eastwestcenter.org/professional-development/asian-studies-development-program/asdp-summer-workshop-ii.

Dear educators: Want to learn more and teach more about East Asia? Check out these new opportunities:

1. Wednesday, May 18, 6 PM (CT): FREE webinar with author Waka T. Brown on her 2021 Freeman Book Awards Honorable Mention title for middle school students “While I Was Away” https://nctasia.org/while-i-was-away/ offered by NCTA at 5 College Center for East Asian Studies and Global Reads. Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6125176290389320976.

2. Register now: FREE online workshops on “China’s Films: History, Culture, and Society” offered by NCTA at Indiana University on Saturdays, May 21 through June 18, 1-4 PM (CT). Participate in as many workshops as you wish. Priority given to middle and high school ELA, reading, social studies, and art teachers and librarians. Register at https://hls.indiana.edu/machform/view.php?id=275002.

3. Register now: FREE online class on traditional Korean sijo poetry for K-16 educators offered by the Sejong Cultural Society starting Sunday, May 22. Reference books, teaching aids available. Honorarium given to selected participants for completion. Details and registration at https://www.sejongculturalsociety.org/events/sijo/online.php.

Recommended resource: Brooklyn Museum’s Arts of China Toolkit for the elementary grades has lesson plans on geography, belief systems, and the Silk Road with downloadable worksheets, slides, and primary sources, and more! See https://teachingtoolkit.brooklynmuseum.org/.

Here’s the latest:

1. Thursday, May 5, 6PM (CT): FREE webinar sponsored by USC U.S.-China Institute with noted German scholar Heirbert Dieter who will address the changing geopolitical environment between China and Europe. Europe is increasingly skeptical about China due to the war in Ukraine as well as human rights, economic and environmental issues. Details and registration at https://china.usc.edu/calendar/heribert-dieter-europe-and-china-and-changing-geopolitical-environment.

2. Tuesday, May 17, 7 PM (CT): FREE webinar on “Sampuru, the Art of Japanese Food Replicas,” displayed in restaurant windows to entice passersby to enter and order something to eat. Sponsored by Japan House in Los Angeles. Details and registration at https://www.japanhousela.com/events/ramen-bowl-sampuru-the-art-of-japanese-food-replicas-by-iwasaki-mokei/. Model food https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_model is a big business in Japan and a good topic to get your students interested this country.

3. Apply now: FREE seminar on “East Asian Design: Architecture and Urbanism” held online June 7 to July 5. This seminar sponsored by NCTA and the USC U.S.-China Institute will cover urban planning, monuments, construction techniques and even aesthetic concepts. Details and registration at https://china.usc.edu/seminars/east-asian-design-architecture-urbanism-june-7-july-5-2022.

4. The Choices Program at Brown University is offering a 20% discount on its curriculum to help celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6). Check out topics available at https://www.choices.edu/curriculum-catalog/ and enter TEACHER2022 when you check out.

Recommended resource: China’s economy is in a downturn due to Covid, rising energy prices, low birthrate, etc. One way the country tries to stimulate growth is through development projects like roads and ports at home and around the world https://carnegieendowment.org/chinafinancialmarkets/87007. It’s Belt and Road Initiative https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_and_Road_Initiative which started in 2013 even now links China with Europe via rail. See the FREE comprehensive lesson plan for high school students on this important topic https://www.irckc.org/resources/global-education-resources/teacher-resources/chinas-belt-road-initiative-a-model-un-module/ for more.

Belt and Road Initiative - Wikipedia The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, or B&R[1]), formerly known as One Belt One Road (Chinese: 一带一路) or OBOR for short, is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in nearly 70 countries and international organizations.[2][3] It is consid...

In 2013, China signed a treaty with Ukraine that implied China would defend Ukraine even with nuclear weapons if Ukraine was invaded, but this agreement has not been honored however.

On Thursday, April 28, 6:30-8:30 (CT), educators are invited to a FREE webinar from NCTA and the University of Washington with Professor David Bachman on “Implications of the War in Ukraine for China," which will address:
1. Chinese reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
2. What China has done since the invasion with Russia, with the US?
3. Why does it seem that Chinese public opinion supports Russia?
4. The implications of the war for China-Taiwan-US relations?

Resources for teachers on this topic will also be presented. Details and registration at https://jsis.washington.edu/earc/implications-of-the-war-in-ukraine-for-china/.

April is national poetry month. Poetry has long been an important part of East Asian culture; until the 20th century it even was a required part of the civil service exams. Here are some resources on this topic that will interest you and your students:
1. (Lesson plan grades 4-6) Writing Japanese tanka poetry https://www.colorado.edu/ptea-curriculum/texts-and-contexts/poetry-talk
2. (Lesson plan grades 11-12) Modern Chinese poetry or propaganda https://www.wwb-campus.org/extras/sample-lesson-plan-poetry-vs-propaganda
3. (DBQ on famous Tang dynasty poets)
a. Li Bohttp://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/china/libo_selected.pdf
b. Wang Weihttp://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/china/wangwei_selected.pdf
c. Du Fuhttp://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/china/dufu_selected.pdf

Dear educators:

Spring is the season not only for new green shoots, but also more opportunities to learn and teach about East Asia. Here’s the latest:

1. APPLY NOW Secondary teachers who teach about East Asia as part of their required curriculum are invited to apply for "Maritime East Asia," an online seminar held June 13-July 21, 2022 by NCTA and Teaching East Asia at the University of Colorado. Topics include early modern geographies and mapping, Zheng He's tribute missions, Imjin War, pirates and other maritime enterprises, and Tokugawa Japan's engagement its neighbors. The seminar consists of five one-week modules, asynchronous and live discussion, and presentations by academic specialists. $200 completion stipend available. Details and application athttps://www.colorado.edu/.../maritimeemea2022flyer.pdf

2. APPLY NOW for the Virtual SPICE Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers https://spice.fsi.stanford.edu/fellowship/middle-school-seminars offered in collaboration with NCTA on July 25-28, 12:30-3:00 PM (ET). This institute will feature content lectures and curricular resources on the history and culture of East Asia with a special focus on the Silk Road, ancient Chinese dynasties, and feudal Japan. Successful completion stipend of $200 available. Application at https://stanforduniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cIIwqvVq3qCqpM2.

3. Thursday, April 28, 6 PM (CT): FREE webinar on “Godzilla over the Years: The Changing Landscape of the Godzilla Movies” with former KCTA Director Bill Tsutsui and Harvard professor Alexander Zahlten. Details and registration at https://www.japansocietyboston.org/event-4731214. Also enjoy Dr. Tsutsui’s YouTube video about taking Godzilla to the mall, and to meet his mom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kssRMWVruf4.

Recommended resource: April 16th was the 50th anniversary of the giant panda program at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC. During the historic presidential trip to China in 1972, US First Lady Pat Nixon told Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai she loved pandas. Zhou responded, "I'll give you some." Two months later, the first pair of Chinese giant pandas arrived at the zoo to start "panda diplomacy" which helped China and the US began normalizing relations https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/04/16/giant-pandas-national-zoo-50th-anniversary/. China continues to send pandas throughout the world for this purpose even today https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panda_diplomacy.

Pandas are a good topic for getting your students interested in China. See the following:
1. (teacher packet grades K-8) from the Toronto Zoomhttps://www.torontozoo.com/EducationAndCamps/Elementary/TeacherResources/Grades%20K-8-%20Giant%20Panda%20Teacher%20Resources%20and%20Activity%20Guide.pdf
2. (lesson plan grades 3-6) https://mass.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/vtl07.la.rv.text.lpsources/compare-and-contrast-information-from-multiple-sources-wolongs-pandas/.
3. (handouts) https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/primary-resource/giant-panda-primary-resource/.
4. (panda curriculum) from the San Diego Zoo https://sdzwildlifeexplorers.org/sites/default/files/curricula/Panda_Trek_curriculum_2017_0.pdf.

Japan Society of Boston - Godzilla over the Years: the Changing Landscape of the Godzilla Movies Japan Society of Boston, Japanese Society, Trips to Japan, Japanese events, Events in Boston, Japanese culture, Japanese art, Japanese music,

Dear educators:

Here are some opportunities and resources that are good for learning more and teaching more about East Asia:

1. Friday, April 22, 6 PM (CT): FREE webinar on “Same Game, Different Rules: The Culture and Practice of Baseball in Japan and the U.S.” sponsored by the Center for International Exchange. Speakers will discuss the impact of this sport on U.S.-Japan relations. Details and registration at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HdG5Xe6ZS7GgWA13TxOxUw.

2. Tuesday, April 26, 6 PM (CT): FREE webinar on “Taiko: The Heartbeat of Japan in America” with Christopher Hudspeth, a member of the Japanese drum group Fushu Daiko based in Florida. Register for this presentation sponsored by Engage Asia at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AYeQ0Di8QlCUOVNt2suaLw.

3. APPLY NOW: Contemporary Issues Course for secondary teachers on “China's Search for a Green Future: Clean Energy, Air, and Water” held online July 9 – 31 offered by NCTA/Teaching East Asia at University of Colorado Boulder. Sessions will examine how China, a leader in renewable energy technology, still faces air pollution, water scarcity, and environmental degradation. $70 completion stipend available. Details and application at https://www.colorado.edu/ptea/sites/default/files/attached-files/chinaclimatecourseflyer.pdf.

Recommended resource: “The Uncompromising Ai Weiwei” by Orvell Schell, Director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society in New York who reviews “1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows,” a new memoir by China’s most famous dissident artist https://www.chinafile.com/library/nyrb-china-archive/uncompromising-ai-weiwei. Schell says, “Ai Weiwei’s steadfast devotion to free expression and resistance to the Chinese Communist Party’s unrelenting pressures makes this book glow…”

For more on Ai Weiwei see:
1. PBS Frontline video (2011) “Who’s Afraid of Ai Weiwei?” https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/ai-wei-wei/
2. (Teacher education packets) Guggenheim Museum (2020)https://www.guggenheim.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/guggenheim-teaching-materials-tmcaa-ai-weiwei.pdf, and Brooklyn Museum (2014) http://s3.amazonaws.com/brooklynmuseum.org-public/education/docs/Ai_Weiwei_Teacher_Packet.pdf.
3. (Lesson plans for grades 9-12) https://popartpasttopresent.wordpress.com/8-ai-weiwei-1/ and https://popartpasttopresent.wordpress.com/9-ai-weiwei-2/ andhttp://www.usfcam.usf.edu/InsideART/Inside_Art_SubRosa/Inside_Art_SubRosa_files/2E.Ai_Weiwei_Lesson_3.pdf
4. (Article) “Ai Weiwei: Best Practices for Teaching Modern Art in the History Classroom” https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/ai-weiwei-artist-activist-best-practices-for-teaching-modern-art-in-the-history-classroom/.

The Uncompromising Ai Weiwei As I read 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows, I felt as if I’d finally come upon the chronicle of modern China for which I’d been waiting since I first began studying this elusive country six decades ago. What makes this memoir so absorbing is that it traces China’s tumultuous recent history throu...

Dear educators:

Here are some opportunities to learn more and teach more about East Asia that will be of interest to you this month:

1. Thursday, April 7, 6 PM (CT): FREE online presentation on “Tiny Trees, Big Stories” with noted author Ann McClellan who will share her love of bonsai and discuss how this art form relates to gardens and its ongoing role in diplomacy. Register for this presentation as announced by NCTA at the University of Pittsburg at https://tinyurl.com/PittMcClellan.

2. Monday, April 25, 3 PM (CT): FREE webinar on “Creating Collections: Digital Museum Resources and the Smithsonian Learning Lab,” which will show you how to create and personalize collections of digital museum resources. In teaching cultures, visuals can be especially effective in promoting understanding, motivating students, stimulating thinking, and triggering emotions since our brains process visuals 60,000x faster than facts. Join in the webinar via Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXmUOy0EbxA.

3. Wednesday, April 27, 6 PM (CT): FREE virtual tour of the Hare with the Amber Eyes, an exhibit of Japanese netsuke now on display at the Jewish Museum of New York. This program is offered by NCTA at the Five College Center for East Asian Studies. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tc-qurDwjHNZbq8dA55yf0stEhzP4WnNT.

​Recommended resource: The war in Ukraine has brought global attention to the relationship between China and Russia. Many observers in the U.S. and Europe are trying to understand the nature and extent of this deepening tie. The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations has created a short video that helps to explain why China blames the West, particularly the United States, for creating the conditions that led Russia to invade. See https://www.ncuscr.org/event/ukraine-china-russia-usa/.

Eyes on Ukraine: Strategic Implications for China, Russia, and the United States - NCUSCR Yun Sun discusses the current state of Russian-Chinese relations, events in Ukraine, and implications for the U.S.-China relationship.

Thursday, March 31, 5 PM (CT): FREE webinar on “Pyonghattan: Escapees from North Korea’s Capital” offered by the Korea Society. Join Seohyun Lee and Hyun-Seung Lee, sister and brother, who talk about their life in North Korea, their escape, and their new life in the U.S.A. Details and registration at https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1548-pyonghattan-escapees-from-north-korea-s-capital.

Thursday, April 7, 5 PM (CT): FREE webinar on men's hanbok: a new world fashion from Korea offered by the Korea Society. Hear Dr. Minjee Kim men's hanbok in comparison with other clothing traditions, their structural parts, colors, materials, embellishments, symbols and the ideas behind this way of dress. Details and registration at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaNCc1vzx5dvOxpdu8nSfw7OuBjiA4IrB5G8MTd1VmKrTUKg/viewform.

Dear educators:

Knowing historical background and contemporary context helps to make sense of what's happening around the world right now. The Kansas City International Relations Council wants to help with the following event:

Tuesday, March 29, 6 PM (CT): FREE webinar on "What's Happening in the South China Sea" with Dr. Jiakun Jack Zhang, University of Kansas and Gregory Hoffman, Webster University. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whats-happening-in-the-south-china-sea-tickets-257130172267.

What's Happening in the South China Sea? On Tuesday, March 29, we will be discussing the South China Sea as part of our ongoing What's Happening series.