Lesson Idea • Journey to Korea!
Have the students make passports that will be stamped as they enter Korea. On a large world map, students can plot their journey to Korea.

Maps & Images • East Asia in Geographic Perspective [Asia for Educators]
Teachers seeking maps and other visual materials on landscape and culture are encouraged to consult this teaching module on East Asia’s geography. Standard 4: Physical and Human Characteristics of Places will be particularly useful.

Lesson Plan • Geography of Korea [PDF] [The Korea Society]
For grades K-5. In this lesson students will: 1) learn about the location and physical features of Korea; and 2) learn basic geography terms, including the layers of the earth’s core.

Lesson Plan • Korea: It’s in the Bag [PDF] [The Korea Society]
For grades 4-6. In this lesson students will: 1) identify the physical shape of the Korean peninsula; 2) label the physical and political features of the peninsula; and 3) draw conclusions as to how physical systems affect human systems.

Lesson Plan • Korea: “Home Sweet Home” [PDF] [The Korea Society]
For grades 4-8. In this lesson students will: 1) identify the geographic regions of Korea used for human settlement; 2) analyze the physical systems and how they have affected the human life; 3) explain how scarcity and choice have shaped the Korean culture.

Images • Photographs of Korea for the Classroom [East Asia in Geographic Perspective, Asia for Educators]
Part of a larger unit on East Asia's Geography.

Lesson Plan • City or Country Life? [National Geographic]
For grades 3-5. Students often think of Asia as being “undeveloped” and rural, but some of the world’s largest and most dynamic cities are located there. With this lesson plan, students will come to better determine what is “urban” and what is “rural.” Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, and Hong Kong are examined, as are villages in East Asia’s agricultural areas. Note to teachers: The examples in the first part of this lesson plan do not cover Asia specifically. Teachers looking for Asian samples for the first part of the lesson should use the Webcam links mentioned above. For Asia content and related links in this lesson plan, go to the “Extending Lesson” section.

Lesson Plan • Marketplaces of Asia [National Geographic]
For grades 3-5. By virtually visiting a mall in Seoul, a night market in Hong Kong, the Sunday Market in Kashi (China), a bazaar in Samarqand (Uzbekistan), and a street market in Beijing, students are able to understand the human and physical characteristics of “markets” and “marketplaces” in Asian culture.

Lesson Idea • Rice Cultivation
Have students research and discuss the stages of rice cultivation and compare wet-rice and dry-rice techniques. Discuss how climate determines which crops are grown around the world.

Lesson Plan • The Rhythm of Rice Production [National Geographic]
For grades K-2. Students will explore the importance of rice in Asian communities. They will then learn about the “rhythm” of rice production as they are introduced to its growing cycle. Finally, students will create seasonal images of rice cultivation in a calendar format.

Lesson Idea • Chopsticks
Have students practice using chopsticks. Discuss what countries use chopsticks as eating utensils. [Answer: China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam — the countries that form the East Asian cultural sphere. They also share Confucian thought, Buddhism, and the use of Chinese characters at some point in their histories.] Note that in many other countries of South, Southeast, and West Asia the custom is to eat with one hand, often using breads to scoop food.

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