Harvard East Asian Program at Boston Children’s Museum
The Harvard East Asian Program is a unique collaboration between Harvard University’s Asia Center and Boston Children’s Museum. Established in 1978 and located at Boston Children’s Museum, the program is dedicated to increasing understanding of China and Japan.

The Harvard East Asia Program at Boston Children’s Museum serves K-12 teachers and students, families, and community organizations through a variety of services and programs:

• Interactive exhibitions
• Multimedia curriculum kits featuring artifacts
• School group visits
• Professional development for educators
• Public programs and festivals for families

East Asian Cultural Programs at BCM
Exhibits and Public Programs The Japanese House: Kyo-no-machiya, an authentic town house from Kyoto, Japan, Boston’s sister city. Visitors take off their shoes and enter this 19th century silk merchant’s home. Experience daily life for children and families and try out seasonal hands-on activities. Click HERE to learn more about the Japanese House.

Children in Hangzhou: Connecting with China. May - December 2008. Meet children from Boston’s Sister City and join in their activities at home, in the theater, on the farm, in the library, and in their beautiful city. Learn More...

China Summer in Boston 2008: Join in city-wide programs featuring arts, sports, and more, all in celebration of Chinese culture in conjunction with the Beijing Olympics. www.BostonChinaSummer.org

Annual Public Programs
Free with general museum admission

January: Japanese New Year
February: Chinese New Year
April: Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
June: Dragon Boat Festival on the Charles River
July: Tanabata - Japanese Star Festival
August: Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Memorial
September: Mid Autumn Moon Festival

Resources on East Asia for Educators

TEACHING RESOURCES
Multimedia Curriculum Kits
Educators may rent kits on China and Japan through the Museum’s Kit
Rental Department. Titles include:

• Ancient China
• Chinese Celebrations
• Chinese Games
• Chinese Shadow Puppets
• Fine and Folk Arts of China
• Japan Getting Acquainted
• Japanese and Chinese Calligraphy
• Japanese Children’s Day-Kodomono Hi
• Japanese Families
• Japanese New Year-Oshogatsu
• Travels of Marco Polo: 13th Century China

For more information on Kit Rentals click HERE.

School Group Visits 2007-2008

• Japanese House: A Day in the Life of a Japanese Child
• Suminagashi: The Art of Japanese Marbling
• Arts and Culture of China (May-June and October-December 2008)
• Children’s Daily Life in China (May-June and October-December 2008)

For more information on Group Rentals click HERE.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Summer Institute 2008

I. ANCIENT AND CONTEMPORARY CHINA
At Boston Children’s Museum
June 30th-July 3rd

What makes Chinese culture distinctly Chinese? What connects Ancient Chinese life and culture in Ancient Chinese with the present? This institute will explore the philosophic underpinnings of Chinese culture, past and present. Topics will include: home life in China – past and present, understanding China through the arts and more. A visit to BCM’s exhibit Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China and many hands-on classroom activities will provide contextualized learning and practical tools for teachers and students. The institute is appropriate for teachers K-12, in all disciplines.

$180 per person
24 PDP’s with full attendance
Teaching resources and free kit use
Registration deadline: Friday, May 30th, 2008

Click HERE to download registration form.

II. CLASS 2008 Summer Workshop for Chinese Language Teachers
At Boston Children’s Museum
August 25 - 29

This workshop consists of two components: 1) essential knowledge in the Hanyu sound system with a clinic to improve individual pronunciation, where participants will explore the Chinese pinyin system in-depth, covering tones, tonal changes and words ending with the ‘er’ sound; 2) development of thematic lessons based on the museum’s rich resource kits. Participants will receive instruction on how to develop a thematic unit and then develop their own lessons using the kits available at the museum. The Hanyu workshops will be led by Prof. Feng Wei Gang from Beijing Language University. BPS and museum staff will conduct sessions on teaching unit development utilizing museum resources.

$200 per person
30 PDP’s with full attendance
Teaching resources and free kit use
Registration deadline: Friday, April 18 2008

Click HERE to download registration form.

Customized Workshops on East Asia
East Asian staff offers in-service workshops at Boston Children’s Museum or at your location. The content can be designed to meet your curriculum or professional development needs. Choices include aspects of Chinese and Japanese culture, with a presentation of educational resources. Each workshop provides hands-on, ready-to-use lessons, and plentiful handouts.

PDP credits are available with the completion of one or a combination of suggested projects.

For information about professional development opportunities for educators, contact Gail Wang:
(617) 426-6500 ext.468 or email Wang@BostonChildrensMuseum.org