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Lesson Plan Library

Free Lesson Plans for Teachers

WHDE offers a set of free resources for teachers to help students better understand Korea. The lesson plans cover a variety of topics including geography, religion, economic development, culture, history, and the Korean War. Search our archive of lessons plans by topic, skill or grade level. You can find more teaching resources on the Korean War on the Korean War Legacy Foundation website. Visit teachingaboutnorthkorea.org to find lesson plans and activities for teaching about North Korea.

 
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Showing 41 - 50 of 57 lesson plans:

Shamanism and Ancestor Worship in the Sea of Japan

definition of shamanism

This lesson introduces students to the spiritual practices of Shamanism and Ancestor Worship in Korea, China and Japan, focusing on their cultural significance and historical development. Students will explore how these practices reflect the values and beliefs of the societies around the Sea of Japan and compare the similarities and differences among the three countries. Through discussion, analysis of primary sources, and a creative synthesis project, students will gain a deeper understanding of the role of spirituality in shaping cultural identity.

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PDFWord

Author: Dylan Sirois

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 70 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis, Comparison

Topics: World History

South Korea – Culture, Economic Measures of Devleopment, and the World Economy

world map with pins

This lesson describes the significance of the Korean wave (Hallyu) beyond just K-pop music.

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PDFWord

Author: Kimberly Crawford

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 60 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: AP Human Geography

The Five Themes of South Korea

street with wall and buildings in background

This lesson is an introduction to the Five Themes of Geography. All students will use images to identify how the five themes are found in South Korea. Students will individually research other countries and apply the five themes as they did with the analysis of South Korea.

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PDFWord

Author: Rhonda Watton

Grades: Middle (6-8)

Time: 2-3 50 minute sessions

Participation Year: Fellowship 2019

Skills: Analysis

Topics: Geography

The Impact of the Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952: (Korean GI Bill)

soldier hugging older man

This lesson explores the question, “How did the Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952 (Korean GI Bill) impact the Korean War veterans and American society as a whole?”

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PDFWord

Author: Kate Ehrlich

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 90 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2020

Skills: Analysis

Topics: Korean War

The Korean Diaspora: A Three Country Case Study

map graphic of koreans across the globe

In this lesson, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Korean diaspora. They will begin by constructing a Frayer model to define the term “diaspora” and explore its key characteristics. Next, students will delve into statistical data regarding the Korean diaspora, examining its distribution both in the United States and globally. To deepen their understanding, students will read about the most common diasporas originating from Korea. Finally, students will apply their knowledge by completing a triple Venn diagram to compare and contrast the causes and effects of these diverse diasporas, highlighting both similarities and differences in their experiences.

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PDFWord

Author: Patrick Sprinkle

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 60-75 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: AP Human Geography, Geography, World History

The Little Green Frogs

book cover: The Green Frog

The purpose of this lesson is to develop an understanding of different global cultures using mentor texts. Using The Green Frogs, students will practice the whole book approach to reading a Korean folktale in order to better understand the role of folktales as a way of preserving culture

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PDFWord

Author: Heather Brougham-Cook

Grades: 4-5

Time: Two 50-minute classes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2018

Skills: Analysis, Comparison

Topics: Culture, Folktales

The Remarkable Space Between the Wars

tower behind trees

“The role that Korea has played in international politics and economics is often overshadowed by negative preconceptions and outright misconceptions by students.As the United States is currently embroiled in a climate of political, social and economic turmoil, students must understand the complexity of international relations. The ability to explore Korea’s role in the 21st Century will initiate critical discussion on the issues surrounding the current political, economic, and military crisis’s many nations are facing. Geopolitical decisions are global in scope and require systematic study of an interdependent world perspective. Students further need to develop a clearer understanding that technology plays a significant role in this decision-making. This lesson emphasizes a challenge to all learners to apply their prior knowledge to societal conditions as they analyze issues of past and present as well as working to clarify their own values, and refine their decision making capabilities.
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PDFWord

Author: Ellen Resnek

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 3-4 45-minute classes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2019

Skills: Analysis

Topics: Economics, Politics

To What Extent Was the Korean Economic Miracle a Miracle?

What is the future for the South Korean economy?

Students will analyze changes to the Korean economy that have occurred since the end of the Korean War. This lesson follows an Inquiry Design Model with three supporting questions that take students through exploring multiple types of stimulus to answer: To What Extent is the Korean Economic Miracle a Miracle? The summative argument includes a rubric and examples of how students can demonstrate their learning. Examples are also provided for students to extend their learning and to take action.

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PDFWord

Author: Jeremiah Rush

Grades: Middle (6-8)

Time: 3-4 (45 minute periods)

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: Geography

Understanding the DMZ and the Korean War

photo of woman

In this two-day lesson, 11th-grade students explore the essential question: How does the legacy of the Korean War shape the relationship between North and South Korea today?
Students will engage with multimedia resources and work in small groups to research key aspects of the war and the DMZ and share their findings in presentations. On the second day, they create visual or multimedia projects that illustrate contemporary North-South relations, followed by a gallery walk to showcase their work.
The lesson promotes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration while aligning with standards for historical analysis and inquiry skills.

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PDFWord

Author: Ashley Yang

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 3 class periods, 75 minutes each

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: World History

Unveiling History: The No Gun Ri Massacre

Unveiling History: The No Gun Ri Massacre

In this lesson, we will explore the tragic event known as the No Gun Ri Bridge Massacre, which took place during the Korean War. The No Gun Ri Bridge Massacre refers to the killing of South Korean refugees by the U.S. military in July 1950. At that time, stories about the U.S. military killing civilians during the war were uncommon due to various reasons. However, declassified documents from the U.S. Air Force revealed the truth about the No Gun Ri massacre, shedding light on the tragic incident. The survivors of the massacre faced challenges in being heard and acknowledged by the media. Additionally, we learned about the role played by North Korean soldiers in rescuing the South Korean refugees during this horrific event. Overall, this lesson highlights the importance of understanding historical events and their impact on the lives of individuals affected by war.

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PDFWord

Author: Michelle Henry

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 90 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: English/Language Arts, US History, World History

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