A Korea global studies unit for homeschool, worldschool or just for fun.
This week was inspired by non other than our desire to get some Korean food but we got so much more out of it than just some delicious chicken bulgogi! Despite our lack of a great nonfiction book we still learned a ton. We know some folklore, practiced some cooking and learned about the Korean War.
PRINTABLES
All of this week's information in an easy-to-read printable.
ON THE WALL
The flags of North Korea and South Korea found on Wikipedia here.
This picture of Seoul.
Books
One from each category plus an assortment of picture books is usually just perfect.
Not all book series are as good as the next. Get the scoop on some of our favorites here.
Library Haul
Not all of these books will get read. Most library systems allow you to browse online and put books on hold. They'll round them up for you and deliver them to your local branch. It's a big time saver!
Base Non-Fiction Books:
Read every word or simply flip through and reach what catches your eye.
I didn't find an amazing nonfiction book this week. Instead, we skimmed through several that were just okay. Luckily, our fiction books and picture books were fairly information-dense and I feel like we learned a lot despite our mediocre nonfiction selection.
South Korea: Countries We Come From (By Jessica Rudolph) This is a very simple book but it does a good job showing some pictures of South Korea and giving some basic information.
North Korea: Explore the Countries (By Julie Murray) Similar to above; it's a very basic book. It's not that exciting but okay to flip through and read a few things.
North Korea and South Korea (By Kath Senker) We skimmed this book that details the fraught relationship between the two countries. It went along well with Brother's Keeper in outlining why and when things happened.
Base Fiction Chapter Book
(Some of these books are part of a series but all of them work as standalone books.)
Younger Learners:
Mindy Kim and the Trip to Korea, Mindy Kim #5 (By Lyla Lee) We've never read from this series before but were able to slide right into the fifth book.
Older Learners:
Brother's Keeper (By Julie Lee) My girls loved this riveting adventure story about a 12-year-old girl who must flee to South Korea during the Korean War - all while caring for her younger brother. *Trigger warning that his is an intense story set at a tense time. Themes of prejudice come up as well as lots of killing and a few troubling death scenes.
A Single Shard (By Linda Sue Park) Our focus was on more modern times so we didn't read this book. It is very highly rated though so I still wanted to list it. It takes place in 12th century Korea and follows the story of a boy learning the pottery trade who must overcome obstacles to present his master's work.
Other Notable Books
Have more time? Try these too.
The Korean War (You Choose Book) My girls always love ending the week with these book. This one fit great with what we'd learned about the Korean War. Be warned, you will die in about half of these endings.
The Land of the Dragon King and other Korean Stories (By Gillian McClure) My girls love collections of stories like this. These stand-alone stories take under five minutes to read.
The Secret Agent and Other Spy Kids (By Allan Zullo) This book is a collection of ten true short stories about child (mostly teen) spies during various wars. We only read the one pertaining to the Korean War. It was a short read that might be a little too much for younger learners.
Picture Books
Library inventories vary so much with picture books. Rather than wasting time tracking down specific ones, I like to do keyword searches and just grab what's available.
Search these keywords: Korea, South Korea, North Korea, Korean War, Seoul, Kimchi, Pyongyang, Busan.
We liked theses:
Mommy's Hometown (By Hope Lim) A short, sweet story about a young girl visiting her mother's hometown in Korea and how even though it has changed a lot, some things remain the same.
Sergeant Reckless (By Patricia McCormick) This humorous and heartwarming book is more about the American forces in the Korean War than about actual Korea. Still, the true story about a Korean racehorse turned American soldier was a hit with my kids.
Mr. Pak Buys a Story (By Carol Farley) A cute retelling of a Korean folktale about the realization that wonderment is more important than entertainment.
Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth (By Joan Schoettler)
I Am the Subway (By Hyo-un Kim) This book's slightly chaotic story matches every mass transit I've ever been on so it seems like a perfect way to tell the story of the massive Seoul subway system.
Korean Nursery Rhymes (By Danielle Wright)
Things to Listen to/Watch*
So much K-Pop! My girls love BTS!
*Always vet material before watching it with your kids, especially if they are sensitive viewers. I try to note any potential issues but everyone has different parenting thresholds of what they consider appropriate.
Interactive Learning: Crafts, Food, Activities
Eat at a Korean restaurant.
Make your own kimchi at home - extra fun if you have an Asian market near you to shop at first. Here's an easy recipe for beginners that doesn't require fermentation.
Visit a Korean War memorial if one is near you. Here's a list.
End of Week Movie Night Ideas
I really struggled this week to find a movie. Littles might like this episode of Pororo that takes the gang to Korea that's available on YouTube.
Segue Ideas... Japan Week, China Week
Wrap Up
Even though this week lacked an amazing nonfiction book, I still feel like we learned a lot. All of these books would work great for a Korea homeschool unit or, in our case, just some fun, extra learning.
Final Moment
Here the girls are, making the kimchi!
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