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The Samurai Code—A Class on the History and Geography of Feudal Japan

During this 5-lesson class, students will explore the geography, history, government, and culture of feudal Japan, from the rise of the empire to the end of Shogun rule.
Francesca G Dixon
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(32)
Class
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What's included

Homework
1-2 hours per week. Each weekly selection to be read independently is an average of 1200 words. The selections were written for 5th graders, but the texts are compelling and content-rich such that they would challenge and satisfy the interest of 6th and 7th graders. Assignments are designed to help students engage with the content. The amount of time necessary to complete the assignments will depend on the learner.
Assessment
I will provide feedback on all submitted assignments. Completed work can be compiled into a portfolio.

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 7
Join us as we travel in time and space to a chain of small islands in the northern Pacific Ocean from the 12th through the 19th centuries.  Powerful daimyos and their samurai vassals are waging costly wars in the struggle to become shogun.  Welcome to Feudal Japan.  Traveling from Hokkaido to Kyushu, with important stops in Edo (Tokyo) and the imperial court in Kyoto, we'll explore Japanese geography, history, culture, and religion and meet the warriors, emperors, artists, and poets of Feudal Japan.

Each week students will:
• view a recorded lesson that introduces the content
• view a recorded lesson that demonstrates the skill
• independently read and respond to a written text 
• practice using rare-word vocabulary
• complete a challenge activity

In addition to the prerecorded lessons, I will provide a comprehension exercise for each selection that focuses on a discreet study skill, such as summarizing, taking Cornell Notes, creating a content web, or using question-answer relationships to answer questions about a nonfiction text.

There are no scheduled live video chats.  Students will be expected to complete the weekly assignments at their own pace by the end of the week. This course format works well if your learner prefers independent pacing or is uncomfortable with live video chat.
Learning Goals
Students will become familiar with the geography, key historical events, social structure, culture, and elites of Feudal Japan and gain background knowledge and rare-word vocabulary from a specific domain that will enhance their reading comprehension of nonfiction text.
learning goal

Syllabus

5 Lessons
over 5 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Far Away and Long Ago
 This lesson will introduce the geography of Japan and the emergence of the Japanese Empire. 
mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Shrines and Temples
 This lesson will discuss the two major religions of Japan--Shinto and Buddhism. 
mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Emperors and Shoguns
 This lesson will explain how Japanese warlords became more powerful than the emperors. 
mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The Sword and the Brush
 This lesson will explore Japanese culture and art. 
mins online live lesson

Other Details

Supply List
Text: Czars and Shoguns, available as a free download at https://www.coreknowledge.org/free-resource/ckhg-unit-08-feudal-japan/student-reader/.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
  • padlet
  • quizlet
Joined August, 2020
5.0
32reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in History from Harvard University
Master's Degree in Education from Trinity Washington University
Bachelor's Degree from University of California Berkeley
I have taught this course for several years as a full-time, certified Elementary School teacher at the District of Columbia Public Schools.

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Live Group Class
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$90

for 5 weeks
5 weeks

Completed by 37 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 10-12

This class is no longer offered
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