2019 Korean History and Cultural Seminar for Educators - Handbook 2019 NKS Handbook-0617 | Page 107

calligraphy, Taekwondo, or Tai Chi. Some parents could help celebrate the Chinese New Year by
bringing moon cakes or celebrating the Korean New Year by creating Korean folk art. Some students
might want to learn about Feng Shui, how to use an abacus, or learn about Bonsai. Lessons on Korean
folk art appear on pages 184-190. Students could teach their classmates basic greetings in languages
that are spoken in their homes.
Suggestions for 7 th grade World History and Geography: Medieval and Early Modern
Times (500-1789 )
To create immediate interest in Korea, teachers might surprise their students by playing Korean Pop
music for a few minutes as they enter the classroom. Since K-Pop is very popular with students, it
should be an engaging start to learning about Korea. We have a Power Point lecture on K-Pop music on
our website that a teacher might read for background information before playing the music to the
class. Here are 3 popular K-Pop songs found on YouTube:
1. "Idol" by BTS (BTS has become a worldwide sensation with their award wins at American music
shows) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBuZEGYXA6E
2. "Ddu du ddu du" by Blackpink (this music video on YouTube was ranked as having one of the fastest
view-count increase in the first 24 hours of upload on YouTube. As of now, it says it has over 534
million views) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHNzOHi8sJs
3. "Baam" by Momoland (this song was one of the biggest hits of summer 2018 and gained worldwide
recognition for its depiction of various countries through the background scenery and costumes. It also
has some scenes with Hanbok, so it could be used to introduce Korean traditional costumes,
too). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txWmd7QKFe8
After teachers show one or two Korean Pop groups, they could show their students the Teaching East
Asia: Korea e-book lesson (Economic Development and Democratization of South Korea) starting on
page 89. The lesson will demonstrate Korea’s significant work ethic, the great value that Koreans place
on education, and their devotion to their country. If teachers do not spend much time on Korean Pop
the first day, they should have the time to do this introductory lesson. They could summarize some of
the sections to work within class time.
To further stress the importance of education in Korea, the Values Lesson: Four Famous Koreans might
be introduced the next day. U.S. currency has images of American heroes – politicians and military
people. In South Korea, the currency reflects the value placed on education. Three famous Koreans are
introduced – two men and one woman. They are all scholars. The lesson begins on page 51 and ends
on page 53. Viewing the Power Point, Pre-Modern Korea (California version) will be helpful
background information for teachers of 7 th grade history. Parts of this Power Point covers information
included in the framework and appropriate for 7 th graders. The first slides relate to the present
followed by information about early Korea until 1910.
To give some students the opportunity to become actively involved in Korea, a teacher might ask three
or four members of the class to read the first person accounts of four famous Koreans. As the students
speak, their classmates will be attentive. The lesson begins on page 45. The new California history
textbooks approved by the Department of Education include Queen Sejong, King Sejong, and Admiral

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