Asia | EDSITEment

Freer Gallery of Art and Sackler Gallery

The gallery houses a world-renowned collection of art from China, Japan, Korea, South and Southeast Asia, and the Far East.

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China Historical GIS

A database of populated places and historical administrative units for the period of Chinese history between 222 BCE and 1911 CE. CHGIS provides a base GIS platform for researchers to use in spatial analysis, temporal statistical modeling, and representation of selected historical units as digital maps.

View China Historical GIS

Deatail of Japanese woodblock of a ship from Perry's fleet

Black Ships & Samurai: Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan

An MIT open courseware unit on how Japanese artists visualized the arrival and effects of Commodore Perry's fleet in 1853.

View Black Ships & Samurai: Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan

Animals of the Chinese Zodiac

In this lesson plan, students will learn about the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. In the process, they will learn about Chinese culture, as well as improve reading, writing, and researching skills.

Marco Polo Takes A Trip

During the Middle Ages, most people in Europe spent their entire lives in the village where they were born. But in the 13th century, a young Italian named Marco Polo traveled all the way to China! In this lesson, students will learn about the remarkable travels of Marco Polo.

Lesson 2. The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations: Disagreement Over the League

American foreign policy debate over U.S. entry into the League of Nations-collective security versus national sovereignty, idealism versus pragmatism, the responsibilities of powerful nations, the use of force to accomplish idealistic goals, the idea of America. Understanding the debate over the League and the consequences of its failure provides insight into international affairs in the years since Great War. In this lesson, students read the words and listen to the voices of some central participants in the debate over the League of Nations.

Lesson 7: On the Road with Marco Polo: From Hormuz to Venice

Marco Polo was on the last leg of his journey home from China to Venice. After visiting several seaports in India, he and his party sailed across the Arabian Sea and to the mouth of the Persian Gulf, landing at the port city of Hormuz, where they decided to travel eastward across Asia following a land route.

Lesson 8: On the Road with Marco Polo: Homecoming

This lesson can serve as the culminating review lesson for the entire EDSITEment Marco Polo Curriculum Unit, or you may use it to complete your own series of lessons for 3rd through 5th graders that focus on Marco Polo's journey to China and back.

Lesson 5: On the Road with Marco Polo: Marco Polo in China

After a long trek across the Gobi Desert, Marco Polo, his father, and his uncle finally arrived at the Shangdu, the summer palace of Kublai Khan. At this time, most of Asia was under control of the Mongols, a nomadic people whose homeland was in the Gobi.

Lesson 6: On the Road with Marco Polo: Sea Voyage to India

After spending 17 years in China, Marco Polo and his father and uncle finally had an opportunity to return home to Venice. Student follow their homeward journey starting with a sea voyage to India.

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