Princess Mononoke and Edo Japan

Simone·

History

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SubjectHistory

Original Prompt

Create an engaging Grade 8 worksheet aligned with Alberta Social Studies curriculum that helps students analyze the first 30 minutes of Princess Mononoke to develop critical thinking skills about historical connections between the film's themes and Edo period Japan. Students should examine how the movie's portrayal of environmental conflict, social hierarchies, and technological change reflects actual historical tensions during Japan's transition from medieval to early modern society. The worksh...

This learning resource focuses on the historical tensions illustrated in the first 30 minutes of the film 'Princess Mononoke', particularly in the context of Japan's Edo period (1603-1868). Students are tasked with analyzing themes of environmental management, social hierarchy, and technological changes during this era, engaging with guided inquiry questions that connect the film’s narratives to historic socio-economic transitions. The resource encourages a comparative analysis using a claim-evidence-reasoning framework, prompting students to explore modernization, foreign influence, and the legacy of the Samurai. Additionally, it includes a challenge task requiring students to synthesize their understanding by drawing analogies to specific policies of the Tokugawa Shogunate.