1. Social Studies Comparing Japan and China By: Leslie Singleton And Amanda Tesarz

2. Grade Level: Second Grade Lesson: Comparing and Contrasting two important Asian nations: China and Japan China and Japan

3. Objectives 1.Introduce Japanese and Chinese culture and geography 2.Compare and contrast geographical and cultural characteristics of Japan and China

4. Materials Needed: World MapWorld Map EncyclopediasEncyclopedias Various books on China And JapanVarious books on China And Japan Food samples from China and JapanFood samples from China and Japan Various items to represent China and Japan (example: kimonos, origami samples, chopsticks, Japanese and Chinese toys)Various items to represent China and Japan (example: kimonos, origami samples, chopsticks, Japanese and Chinese toys)

5. Web Sites 1.Enchanted Learning www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/ 2.Asia for Elementary Students and Teachers www.aasianst.org/EAA/gleaningswinter99.htm 3.Ask Asia http://www.askasia.org/for_educators/fe_frame.htm 4.What’s Cool in Japan http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/index.htmlhttp://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/index.html 5.Global School Network www.gsn.org

6. Maps of China and Japan

9. Characteristics of China Capital: BeijingCapital: Beijing Size: 9,596,960 square kilometersSize: 9,596,960 square kilometers Population: 1,261,832,482 (as of July, 2000)Population: 1,261,832,482 (as of July, 2000) CHINA HAS THE LARGEST POPULATION OF ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!!CHINA HAS THE LARGEST POPULATION OF ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!! Climate: Ranges from desert to tropical subarcticClimate: Ranges from desert to tropical subarctic

10. Characteristics of China, Cont. Major Rivers: the Yangtse River, the Yellow River, and the Pearl RiverMajor Rivers: the Yangtse River, the Yellow River, and the Pearl River Mountain Ranges: the Ch’ang-pai Mountains, the Tsinling Mountains, and the Nan range (also: the Himalayas boarder China)Mountain Ranges: the Ch’ang-pai Mountains, the Tsinling Mountains, and the Nan range (also: the Himalayas boarder China) Transportation: Because China is so heavily populated, many people use bicycles instead of cars for transportationTransportation: Because China is so heavily populated, many people use bicycles instead of cars for transportation

11. Chinese Inventions ChopsticksChopsticks PaperPaper Block printingBlock printing CompassCompass GunpowderGunpowder KitesKites InkInk

12. Characteristics of Japan Capital: TokyoCapital: Tokyo Size: 378,000 square kilometersSize: 378,000 square kilometers Population: 125 million (making it the world’s eighth most populous nation)Population: 125 million (making it the world’s eighth most populous nation) Climate: most of Japan is in the Temperate Zone and has a humid monsoon climateClimate: most of Japan is in the Temperate Zone and has a humid monsoon climate

13. Characteristics of Japan, Cont. Location: Japan lies on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean and east of the Eurasian continent. It consists of several thousand islands and islets.Location: Japan lies on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean and east of the Eurasian continent. It consists of several thousand islands and islets. Traditional dress: the kimono (although it is now usually worn for special occasions, such as weddings and during New Year)Traditional dress: the kimono (although it is now usually worn for special occasions, such as weddings and during New Year)

14. The Umbrella The Chinese introduced the umbrella to the Japanese almost 2,000 years ago. The umbrella was made out of oiled paper and bamboo. The Chinese called the umbrella “karakasas.” They are still handmade. They were used to keep the rain off their silk robes and to keep the sun off their faces.The Chinese introduced the umbrella to the Japanese almost 2,000 years ago. The umbrella was made out of oiled paper and bamboo. The Chinese called the umbrella “karakasas.” They are still handmade. They were used to keep the rain off their silk robes and to keep the sun off their faces.

15. Chopsticks No one knows when chopsticks were first used, but they were first invented in China. Chopsticks can be traced back as far as the third century B.C. Chopsticks are used in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and China. Chopsticks are most often made of bamboo, but the Emperor and Emperoress’ s chopsticks are made of ivory, because ivory turns colors if the food has poison in it.No one knows when chopsticks were first used, but they were first invented in China. Chopsticks can be traced back as far as the third century B.C. Chopsticks are used in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and China. Chopsticks are most often made of bamboo, but the Emperor and Emperoress’ s chopsticks are made of ivory, because ivory turns colors if the food has poison in it.

16. Food Both Chinese and Japanese eat with chopsticks.Both Chinese and Japanese eat with chopsticks. Rice is an extremely important part of the Chinese and Japanese diets.Rice is an extremely important part of the Chinese and Japanese diets. In addition to rice, both like bread and noodles and a wide array of meats, fishes, vegetables, and fruits.In addition to rice, both like bread and noodles and a wide array of meats, fishes, vegetables, and fruits.

17. Language A long time ago, Japan borrowed Chinese characters, and they’re still extensively used in Japanese writing.A long time ago, Japan borrowed Chinese characters, and they’re still extensively used in Japanese writing. Japanese names (people and places) are written in Chinese with the same characters that are used in Japanese. However, the pronunciations are often completely different. For instance Nihon(Japan) is Riben, Tokyo is Dongjing, and Osaka is Daban.Japanese names (people and places) are written in Chinese with the same characters that are used in Japanese. However, the pronunciations are often completely different. For instance Nihon(Japan) is Riben, Tokyo is Dongjing, and Osaka is Daban.

18. Japanese and Chinese Numbers Chinese and Japanese numbers are written the same, but pronounced differently. Here are the numbers one through ten: OneTwoThreeFourFive SixSevenEightNineTen

19. Activities for the Classroom: 1.Lead the students through a step-by-step instruction on writing Japanese numbers one through ten. 2.Bring in samples of Japanese and Chinese food for the students to taste. 3.Make a Venn diagram with the students to compare and contrast Japan and China.

20. Activities for the Classroom, Cont. 4.Have students make individual banners celebrating the Chinese and Japanese New Year. 5.Allow the students to select a favorite book about China or Japan and illustrate the cover or favorite part of book.