The University of Colorado at Boulder's Program for Teaching East Asia is sponsoring a 28-day study-tour to Japan for Colorado elementary teachers this summer.
Teachers who are interested in applying for the tour must send their applications in by Feb. 4. Participants will travel to Japan from June 12 to July 10.
The study-tour, titled "Texts and Contexts: Japan Through Children's Literature," is an opportunity for elementary teachers to engage in experimental and in-depth study of Japan and its culture, said Catherine Ishida, the study-tour's coordinator. The tour and its yearlong follow-up program will emphasize integrating Japanese culture across the elementary curriculum through children's books.
"The core of the study-tour consists of teachers' visits to actual settings of children's books about Japan and their collaborative efforts to create cross-curricular lesson plans featuring these books," Ishida said. "In addition, home stays, school visits, meetings with Japanese scholars and professionals, experiential activities and visits to historical and cultural sites will provide teachers with a broad understanding of Japanese culture and people so they can in turn share authentic instruction with their students and colleagues."
The tour to Japan is funded by the Freeman Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education's Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad. Elementary teachers who are committed to literature-based teaching about Japan in their curricula are encouraged to apply.
The Program for Teaching East Asia sponsors local and national professional development programs for teachers to enhance and expand an East Asia curriculum in elementary and secondary schools. The program is associated with CU-Boulder's Center for Asian Studies.
For more information contact Ishida at (303) 735-5115, or to apply visit .