District 11 Educational Support Services
Social Studies

Grade 7, The Eastern Hemisphere to 1450 C.E.: Feudal Japan Unit

Overview
View the Video Introduction. In this unit, you will learn how the use of land and technology helped create a social system in Japan that lasted for several centuries. You will discover how the technology of the samurai sword was a powerful tool that kept wealth in the hands of the Shogun with peasant famers working to pay the expenses of Samurai and Shogun land owners. You will see how the social structure in Japan closely resembled the social structure in the Middle Ages across the globe in Europe.

Unit Rigor & Relevance Rating: Quadrant D Adaptation - provides opportunities for higher order thinking and provides opportunities to apply in and across disciplines, and to apply in real-world unpredictable situations.

Career Connection: This course introduces students to the types of work performed by Sociologists, and Historians.
For Teachers
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Quarter 3  4
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Daily Lessons 12 13

Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

  • Maps, globes and other geographic tools are used to acquire, process and report information about the past.
  • Societies are diverse and change over time.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

  • How did the physical characteristics of Feudal Japan help shape Feudal Japan's view of the world?
  • How were the social and economic aspects of feudalism in Japan interdependent?
District 11 curriculum is designed to prepare and equip students to be successful in the 21st Century. Curriculum resources and lessons included here have been aligned to the Colorado Standards for each content area. In addition, the entire program has been aligned with the knowledge, skills, and learner attributes the Partnership for 21st Century Skills promotes as necessary for success in the 21st Century. You will see the highlighted core values embedded in these lessons and activities.
 
A Academic Preparedness: the foundation required for either higher education, or high-wage, high skills jobs
C Cultural Competence: the ability to understand and interpret political and cultural events from multiple perspectives in a global society, a core competency in 21st Century Skills
H High-Functioning Team Member Skills: collaboration is a core competency in 21st Century Skills
I Innovative Thinking and Problem Solving Skills: a core competency for 21st Century Skills
E Effective Use of Information Technology: a core competency for 21st Century Skills
V Vital Participation in Civic Responsibility: "share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society" Standards for the 21st-Century Learner from American Library Assoc.
E Effective Communication Skills: a core competency for 21st Century Skills

Middle School D-11 Social Studies Indicators 
History
3. Diverse and Changing Societies: Describe basic cultural elements (traditions, customs, religion, language, government), compare and contrast societies, and explain how they changed over time.
Geography
1. Use and Construction of Geographic Tools: Interpret maps, globes, charts, and geographic databases.
2. Characteristics of Place and Region: Define and identify regions by describing physical and human characteristics of places.

Sample Lessons

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

Lesson 12:  Map Skills - Medieval Japan
Duration:  1 day
          
Standards/Indicators:  Geography 1:  Interpret maps, globes, charts, and geographic databases.
Geography 2:  Define and identify regions by describing physical and human characteristics of place.
Enduring Understanding: Maps, globes and other geographic tools are used to acquire, process and report information about the past.
Essential Question:  How did the physical characteristics of Feudal Japan help shape Feudal Japan's view of the world?
Assessment:   How did the physical characteristics of Feudal Japan help shape Feudal Japan's view of the world?

Activities

  1. Look at the physical map on page 101 in Medieval Times To Today. Describe Japan’s location. How did the sea protect Japan? Describe the terrain in Japan. Are there mountains? Using the map on page 260 in Medieval Times To Today, identify five countries and four bodies of water that are close to Japan. Go to the Passport to the World and register. Then choose Japan and learn about the history of this part of Asia. There is an online journal to keep notes you take on your discoveries. If you earn 300 points on the Customs Quiz, you will get your World Passport stamped for Japan.

  2. Draw a map of Japan, label the physical features that influenced Japan's view of the world. (isolated islands, mountains, trade routes, seas and ocean).

Differentiation
Support (RtI tiers 2 & 3): Using a physical map of Japan, locate the physical features from a list. 
Extensions: Explore the Japanese Lifestyles Website and the Japanese Islands Website.  Write eight important facts about Japan, including climate, physical features, location, and total area. Create a page in a travel book on Japan.
Research one of Japan's major islands. Write an advertisement for the island. Use the Encarta Enclyclopedia Link. Click on one of the four major islands in the first paragraph for additional information.

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Lesson 13: Medieval Japan
Duration (Days): 2-3 days
         
Standards/Indicator:  History 3:Describe basic cultural elements (traditions, customs, religion, language, government), compare and contrast societies, and explain how they changed over time.
Enduring Understanding:  Societies are diverse and change over time.
Essential Question:  How were the social and economic aspects of feudalism in Japan interdependent?
Assessment:  How were the social and economic aspects of feudalism in Japan interdependent?

Activities

  1. Watch the video clip: Samurai Swords and Armor (2:27) and take notes.

  2. Copy the chart page 100 and read Medieval Times To Today pages 100-105.

  3. Read Medieval Times To Today pages 103-104. Draw a large triangle and draw three horizontal lines.
    Label the four social classes and jobs of each class. Draw pictures for each social class.

  4. Watch the video clip: Ancient Warriors (5:17) and add to your notes on the Samurai.

  5. Complete the Writing Activity on page 105.

  6. Complete the Focus on A Japanese Home activity on pages 106-107.

  7. Discuss the Essential Questions for this lesson as a class, then write your own summary paragraph answering each question. Use the Four Point Rubric as a guide so you know how your response will be graded.

  8. Discuss the Essential Questions for this lesson as a class, then write your own summary paragraph answering each question. Use the Four Point Rubric as a guide so you know how your response will be graded.

Differentiation 
Support (RtI tiers 2 & 3): Give students the four social classes and their order in feudalism, and have them draw pictures of them.  Write three questions and answers about the samurai if you could interview him.
Extensions: Read Poems About Warriors and complete the assignment.

Supplemental Resources: Power Point  Song Dynasty 960-1279    Power Point  Why Teach About China & Japan  

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