1. Identify, describe, and place the creation of some works of art as they occurred within each culture and time period, such as the Han Dynasty of China, the Choson Dynasty of Korea, and the Edo Period in Japan;
    
2. Explain the meaning of certain key terms (see Vocabulary List) as they relate to the Way of Knowledge;
    
3. Identify symbols and works of art that communicate the strength and importance of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cultural beliefs. In a related art lesson plan, students will also construct artistic pieces (e.g. Asian-inspired fans) to represent their own interpretation of the yin and yang symbols contained on the Money Tree (China), the Embroidered Screen with Longevity Symbols (Korea) and the Noh Mask Box with Design of Insects and Mount Horai (Japan);
    
4. Demonstrate social studies knowledge of ancient Asian philosophy through their design and construction of the Way of Knowledge;
    
5. Present their research findings in the following formats:
   a) a shared Way of Knowledge display,
   b) independent research reports,
   c) drawings of symbols,
   d) class presentations.
   

Standards
Curriculum Standards and Benchmarks
Excerpted from: Michigan Curriculum Framework; Content Standards and Benchmarks: Social Studies

Strand II Geographic Perspective
Standard II.1 Diversity of people, places, and cultures
All students will describe, compare, and explain the locations and characteristics of races, cultures, and settlements.
Benchmark 2
Describe and compare characteristics of major world cultures including language, religion, belief systems, gender roles, and traditions.

Strand V: Inquiry
Standard V. 1: Information processing
All students will acquire information from books, maps, newspapers, data sets, and videos, organize and present the information in maps, graphs, charts, and time lines, interpret the meaning and significance of information, and use a variety of electronic technologies to assist in accessing and managing information.

Middle School Benchmark 1
Locate and interpret information about the natural environments and cultures of countries using a variety of primary and secondary sources and electronic technologies, including computers and telecommunications where appropriate.

Middle School Benchmark 2
Use traditional and electronic means to organize social science information and to make maps, graphs, and tables.

For more information about the Michigan Curriculum Framework and the K-12 Curriculum and Standards, visit the Michigan Department of Education Web site at http://Michigan.gov/mde

The direct link to the curriculum standards is http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-5235_5682---,00.html.