Initiated in 1997, Teaching East Asia: China seeks to promote and facilitate effective instruction about China in K-12 classrooms by offering professional development opportunities to teachers, as well as curriculum consultation to school districts.
China Summer Institutes
In alternating years, TEA offers one- to two-week summer institutes on topics in Chinese studies. Institutes are held on University of Colorado's Boulder campus and are open to teachers from across the country. Participants are chosen through an application and selection process; all major costs of participation are covered by the project. In past years, institute topics have included "China's Transformations on the Eve of the Olympics", "China's Geographic Issues and Challenges", "China in the Elementary Classroom", and "Episodes in the History of Sino-Japanese Relations." The next China summer institute is planned for the summer of 2010. Check our website in late fall 2009 for details or add your name to the TEA mailing list to receive more information.
Workshop Series
Colorado teachers can take advantage of TEA's annual program of workshops on China throughout the school year. Recent workshop topics have included "China's 21st Century Transformations", "China as an Emerging Global Leader", and "China's Enviornmental Challenges". For information about upcoming workshops, please see our Upcoming Events page. You can also sign up for the TEA mailing list.
China Curriculum Resource Center
TEA's China Resource Center includes videos, curriculum units, an academic library, and artifact trunks. Click on the link above for full details. Most materials are lent free of charge to teachers in the western United States; artifact trunks rent for a nominal fee. Complete and return the Resource Center Borrower's Agreement or contact TEA staff member Lauren Collins for more details.
Visits to Colorado Classrooms
Visits to Boulder Elementary Schools. In a local service project, TEA works with undergraduate interns from the University of Colorado's Asian studies and Asian languages programs to offer Asian language (Japanese, Chinese and Hindi) and culture activities to Boulder Valley School District's elementary classrooms. CU students are available for one-day and longer assignments to classrooms, where they assist by teaching simple language, culture, and education lessons. Boulder-area teachers interested in taking part in this program can contact TEA staff member Julie Kang.
Visits to Colorado Middle and High School Classrooms. In a joint project, TEA and the Center for Asian Studies offer guest presentations to secondary classrooms on China, Japan, and India. Presentations are developed on special topics each year and made available by student outreach assistants. For a list of topics on China available during the current school year, contact TEA staff member Julie Kang.
