Explore a curated collection of resources designed specifically for educators teaching about East Asia and Asian America. Below, you’ll find links to primary sources, structured curriculums, comprehensive resource collections, and other classroom materials to enrich your lessons. You can filter your search by grade level, region, state standard, and resource type, or just search for a specific topic or keyword. Additionally, don’t miss the excellent content available through NCTA’s Partner Sites, tailored to support K-12 educators in bringing East Asia into the classroom.
This guide by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau discusses the many beliefs present within the country, a brief history of religion in Taiwan, and complementary images that display the beauty and originality of religious practices in Taiwanese culture.
This resource from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides an overview of Legalism. Legalism became popular in the latter half of the Warring States period as a representation of the teachings and beliefs of the scholars Han Fei, Shen Buhai, and Shang Yang. The goal of these legalists was to attain “a rich state and a powerful army” and to focus on the stability of the government and the people in such a turbulent time as the Warring States period. The basis of legalism was the belief that humans are inherently selfish, and shouldn’t be expected to act morally and abstain from coveting wealth and power. Instead, legalists believed that commoners and elites alike should be allowed to strive for wealth and fame in ways that benefitted the state, such as agricultural pursuits and warfare. Legalism, along with Daoism and Confucianism, is one of China’s foundational philosophies.
This article from the Asia Society provides helpful context and key text references on the subject of Daoism/Taoism. Daoism originated in the 5th century B.C.E. from the teachings of Laozi and his classic text, the Dao De Jing. The basis of this philosophy was connection with nature, a life of simplicity, and a spiritual approach to the universe. Daoism, along with Confucianism and Legalism, is one of the philosophies that has shaped China for thousands of years and represents an integral part of Chinese history.
This resource from Asia Society provides a brief overview of Confucianism. Confucianism was established between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. by its founder known as Kongzi (Confucius, 551-479 BCE.) whose intention was to reinterpret the undefined Zhou religion. The basis of this social and ethical philosophy was tradition, defined roles within relationships, and mutual obligations. Confucianism is one of the philosophies that has shaped China for thousands of years and represents an integral part of Chinese history.
From Asia Society: “Curriculum and related frameworks (conceptual underpinnings or guiding principles for curriculum design), as well as materials, instruction, and assessment aligned with strong curricula—are critical components of effective Chinese language education. CELIN staff have had conversations with leaders in the Chinese language field in the United States about this issue, and we have collected a strong set of available resources.”
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.
This article highlights the educational value of The Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en (1592) and provides strategies for teaching it in the classroom. The novel presents an exciting story while engaging with topics such as Daoism, Buddhism, and the Silk Road, which deeply influenced the Tang dynasty and continue to shape the world today.
Developed by The Kennedy Center, this lesson plan provides K-4 students with a fun art activity in the style of Chinese calligraphy. Students will learn the basics of watercolor and brush strokes, and apply this knowledge to create their own landscape painting. Students will engage in multicultural learning, as this lesson plan also provides traditional Chinese music and related vocabulary words.
Here you can access three free and informative videos from expert Sara Schneewind. These videos, titled “Ming Voyages in China’s History: The Truth about the Maritime Expeditions Led by Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty,” “Easternization (not “Westernization”): Modernity is a Global Formation,” and “Footbinding: Confronting the Very Strange” are each designed to increase your understanding of Chinese history. Each video presentation also comes with 2 Professional Development Hours. To participate, sign in or register an account on the program site.
This excerpt introduces students to Legalist political thought through “The Five Vermin,” a chapter from the Han Feizi, a foundational Legalist text attributed to Han Fei (d. 233 BCE). A former student of the Confucian philosopher Xunzi, Han Fei rejected Confucian ideals in favor of a more pragmatic, authoritarian approach to governance. His writings reflect a systematic synthesis of Legalist and Daoist ideas, emphasizing strict laws and centralized power. This chapter criticizes social groups seen as harmful to the state, offering valuable insight into Legalist critiques of Confucianism and the ideological tensions of early Chinese political philosophy.
This translated excerpt from A Record of the Debate on Salt and Iron presents arguments made during a government debate on fiscal policy under the Western Han dynasty. Held in 81 BCE in the court of Emperor Zhao, the debate featured state officials—led by Lord Grand Secretary Sang Hongyang—and Confucian scholars who challenged the economic policies of Emperor Wu, especially the government monopolies on salt and iron. This primary source offers insight into early Chinese governance, Confucian political thought, and economic philosophy.
This digital edition of The Analects, translated by A. Charles Muller, provides open-access English translations of one of the most foundational texts in East Asian thought. The Analects is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his disciples, offering insights into ethics, government, education, and proper conduct that have shaped Chinese and East Asian societies for centuries. Translator A. Charles Muller is Director of the Institute of Buddhist Culture at Musashino University in Tokyo and formerly taught at the University of Tokyo. His work focuses on East Asian philosophy, Buddhist studies, and digital humanities.
