Pass out printable maps of the continent, and point out the name of each country. Most children have heard of China and Japan, but they may not be familiar with Indonesia or Malaysia. As you talk to the class about each country, have them color each country a different color. For example, everyone's map in the class would show China red, Japan blue and Korea brown.
Panda bears are a highly endangered species. As of 2011, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park estimates that there are fewer than 2,000 giant pandas in both the wild and captivity. Teach first graders about these unique creatures only found in Central China, and how bamboo is their primary food source. Watch live video of the pandas on a zoo camera and let kids color pictures of giant pandas. Ask students to collect money to send to a nearby zoo with a panda exhibit. The money goes toward caring for the animal, but also keeping it in the zoo for visitors to enjoy.
Help first graders learn more about the Japanese culture by letting them make their own Japanese windsocks. The Japanese celebrate Children's Day on May 5th, by flying colorful fish-shaped windsocks. Let first graders make their own windsocks with a brown paper bag and paints. Cut off the bottom of a brown paper bag and open the seam so that paper is completely flat. Let kids make scribble marks on the top section of the bag; the marks should look like the scales on the fish. Color in the top third of the bag with bright primary colors, then cut 2 inch wide strips up from the bottom of the bag to about 2 inches way from the colored portion. Roll the bag into a cylinder shape and close it with tape or glue. Punch four holes into the top of the fish shape and tie a 1 foot long piece of string into each hole. Tie the strings together and hang it up, or let the kids hold it up while they run around outside.
India is such a large country that the people speak many different dialects and languages. Although not everyone knows Hindi, the country's official national language, most people know at least a few common phrases. Teach kids some common phrases in Hindi to help them appreciate the culture better. Visit the Time For Kids website (TimeForKids.com) for a list of phrases, a written explanation of the words and audio clips for both Macs and PCs.