Literature

Black and white portrait of an East Asian man with a mustache, short hair, and wearing a high-collared traditional garment; often associated with "Madman's Diary" and featured on the Marxists Internet Archive.

A Madman’s Diary | Marxists Internet Archive

Lu Xun presents a diary-style short story where the protagonist imagines being surrounded by cannibals. Through the protagonist’s delusions, Lu Xun delivers a potent critique of conventional Chinese society, specifically targeting the oppressive and dehumanizing aspects of traditionalist and Confucian values.

Primary Source
A young girl in a kimono holds a caterpillar in her hand, looking at it closely. Set in Japan, the book title above reads The Girl Who Loved Caterpillars—a charming tale from children's literature.

Texts and Contexts: Teaching Japan through Children’s Literature

This curriculum made by TEA is a collection of teacher-developed, standards-based, cross-curricular K-6 lessons. The collection is designed to promote the teaching of cultural studies of Japan while developing students’ knowledge and skills in literacy and communication. Each of the six lessons features an authentic children’s literature book on an aspect of Japanese culture.

Lesson Plan
A map of eastern Asia on a globe highlighting Japan with a brown circle, perfect for Elementary Level Resources or Asia For Educators.

Elementary Level Resources: Japan | Asia For Educators

Asia For Educators, at Columbia University’s Weatherhead East Asia Institute, has compiled a collection of resources for K-5 teachers. This collection is centered around Japan and offers resources for a wide variety of subjects: geography, language, culture, history, science, math, literature, arts & crafts, and drama & dance. 

Teacher Resource
A globe highlighting China in red with a red circle around it, showing its location in Asia relative to neighboring countries—ideal for elementary level resources.

Elementary Level Resources: China | Asia for Educators

Asia for Educators, at Columbia University’s Weatherhead East Asia Institute, has compiled a collection of resources for K-5 teachers. This collection is centered around China and offers resources for a wide variety of subjects: geography, language, culture, history, science, math, literature, arts & crafts, and drama & music.

Teacher Resource
Scroll to Top