thoughts about session 7 on 7/30 w/Dr. Yamashita

I have developed a deep fascination with Japan. I hope I can one day explore this amazing place. (wink wink) I liked the way Dr. Yamashita debunked the notion of the Japanese as being honest and loyal; I agree that people are people despite culture of location. This part of Japan is definitely interesting,but I am not sure I will be able to include it into my lesson plan, since the novel I am reading with my class deals with Pearl Harbor. However, I can discuss the traditions, rituals, and the hierarchies that have been established and are still prevalent today.

I really want to come into this year with my students looking at American Literature as a timeline. With that, I want students to study American Literature from a historical viewpoint. How has history shaped literature in the areas we have been required to study, specifically the modern period. It will be in this period that I would like to investigate how the United States has become a melting pot (especially since the Harlem Renaissance), especially now when others contribution to literature is being held with a certain esteem. How can I take what we have learned in this conference and use it in my American Literature classes. Possible ideas: 1) Calstate San Bernardino Expository Lesson Going for the Look. 2) How are writers in the early 1900's writing about similar themes. 3) How is Asian culture influencing American literature in the 1900's. 4) Looking at a literary movement such as Realism in American literature and Realism in China or Japan (what are some similarities and differences). Which would make the best lesson?
edited by tmorris on 7/30/2012
edited by tmorris on 7/30/2012
edited by tmorris on 7/30/2012

I think that high school students would enjoy the story of "Tommy" that Dr. Yamashita highlighted. I found it online. I think students would be able to read this article and discuss how this might have been good for public relations with Americans. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/18/nyregion/18nyc.html

I ABSOLUTELY loved the discussions today on Japan and realize how much I would love to learn more on these topics. While Dr. Yamashita was speaking I was thinking about how to incorporate some of the stories he told. I was thinking that a 47 Ronin skit would be interesting in my AP world history class. Students (in groups) could read the story, answer questions, look at primary sources and then act out a part of the story in a skit.

It was interesting to see the quote from President Grant telling Japan that he felt they were not ready for re-doing the unequal treaties in 1871. But that would change by 1894.

This session was very helpful to me to contextualize information about Japan. I plan on doing my lesson plan on medieval Japan and the feudal system there. This is a topic I know little about, besides the textbook, so it was very helpful to hear about the culture and the lifestyle of the warriors in Japan. I know the students will be fascinated by the culture, the Bushido, the lifestyle of the warriors, and the rules that bound them.

I also found it interesting that in this time period the social structure was similar to China. I didn't realize that merchants were in the lower classes as in the Han dynasty, and how that was based on the teachings of Confucius. My textbook explained that it was because merchants didn't actually produce anything, but rather bought and sold the products of others. This may be based on Confucius as well?

Today's lecture was helpful because it applies directly to my classroom teaching.

I'm loving this... but I don't know how to fit it in with 11th grade US History, except as background for US intervention affecting the Meiji Restoration and bringing in another perspective on Pearl Harbor. On a personal note... I knew that my grandfather had come to Hawaii in the mid 1890s (and into California in 1899)... Connecting that to farm failures under the Matsukata deflation at that time makes sense and gives me a personal connection... as well as the history during the conflicts around the Restoration and reaction to modernization and its effect on Choshu (My family is from Yamaguchi...)

The story of the 47 Ronin was very interesting!!
It made the teachings of the Japanese Culture more clear. MAybe explains why their crime ate is much lower than the US's or it used tobe. Punishment seems to be swift and severe. No messing around and no room for error! Also ... Vendetta's I thought this was an Italian concept but the JApanese seemed to have pefected long before the Italians. And when we are crazy we are wako???? So that is of Japanese origin very interesting!!! My students will LOVE THAT!!!