NCCSS

Feb. 20, 2004

NCTAN session on Japan

By Wanda Forte

Mac Williams Middle School

 

 

Tree of Cranes

Author: Allen Say

 

 

Objective:  The learner will develop an awareness of some of the cultures in every day lives of the people of Japan.

 

Teacher reads book orally to class.

 

Points to discuss:

 

1.  Page 4 – According to picture, determine approximate age of child.  He is not yet old enough to wear long pants.  Discuss how this differs in our country.

 

2.  Page 7 – Discuss the design of the house. Don't wear your slippers into the genkan (at the entrance to a home, where the shoes are kept), nor outside is a custom. Therefore, the child must remove them and put on slippers which is seen on page 8.

 

3.  Page 11 – Discuss Japanese method of taking a bath.  http://gojapan.about.com/cs/livinginjapan/ht/ht_bath.htm, http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Hiroshima/Things/89.html

These are excellent web sites to kinesthetically explain a Japanese bath.

 

4.  Page 15 – Discuss use of the futon bed. http://gojapan.about.com/cs/japanesefurniture/a/futon.htm

 

(A Double-Bubble Map can be used for both page #’s 11 and 15 to compare and contrast Japanese and American cultures) http://www.nhcs.k12.nc.us/htree/Curriculum/ThinkingMaps.html#DBM

 

5.  Page 17   Discuss  traditional Japanese Clothing.

http://www.japanesekimono.com/japanese_clothing.htm

 

6.  After finishing the book, decorate a plant or a tree. Students love making these cranes once they learn how. They are a little difficult at first, but it only takes a few times of practice!

http://www.sadako.com/fold/folding.html

 

 

 

 

NCCSS

Feb. 20, 2004

NCTAN session on Japan

By Wanda Forte

Mac Williams Middle School

 

 

Zen Garden

 

My trip to Japan really opened up my eyes to the love of nature. I began to see a beauty in everything around me. Nature is an important theme in Japanese culture. Even rocks are beautiful.

 

“Zen focuses on meditation as the key to understanding the true meaning of Buddha. Buddha’s enlightenment came when he saw truths that had always been there, but that he just hadn’t seen before. Because this enlightenment came from a sudden flash of insight, Zen masters look for ways to spark that insight in their student. Zen teachers believe that insight can come from many things – from meditation, a single noise, a word, or even an arrangement of rocks.  And so the Zen teacher aims to stimulate students until they are open to insight, and to trigger that flash of understanding.”(Weston Walch)

 

These gardens are designed to encourage meditation. They are not imitations of landscapes, but abstractions. They are often designed using triangles. Rocks within groupings would be set in triangular relationships to each other and to other groupings. This arrangement was seen as well balanced and harmonious.

 

Objective:  The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the Zen Gardens by creating their own rock garden.

 

Materials:

Styrofoam meat trays or shoe box lid

Rocks and stone, from pebble size to a few inches in diameter

Plastic forks

Newspaper

 

1.      Place newspaper on desk to catch extra sand.

2.      Place meat tray on desk.

3.      Fill trays with sand to almost reach top of lid or tray.

4.      “Meditate” on rock placement in triangular shape.

5.      Use plastic fork to rake around each rock to resemble a rippling effect.

 

 

 

 

NCCSS

Feb. 20, 2004

NCTAN session on Japan

By Wanda Forte

Mac Williams Middle School

 

 

 

Kokeshi dolls

 

Wooden kokeshi dolls have long, slender bodies with large, round heads. After delicate facial features and flower designs are painted on the plain wood, the dolls are coated with a shiny finish. Kokeshi dolls are prized by doll lovers all over the world.

 

Objective: The learners will develop an appreciation for the art of the Kokeshi doll by constructing their own doll.

 

Materials:

Toilet tissue roll

Tempura Paint

Rubber cement

Newspapers

Scissors

 

1.      Place newspaper on desk for mess just in case there are spills.

2.      Take 1 full sheet of newspaper and roll into nice round ball for head.

3.      Take a half sheet of newspaper and wrap around the ball so that you will have veins to stick into the neck of the toilet tissue roll. Stuff roll with paper for sturdiness. Cut extra paper hanging out off.

4.      Use rubber cement to seal around the neck where joined at the head. Let dry.

5.      Paint entire doll one color, then add features such hair; eyes, nose, ears, etc.

6.      Finally, paint on flower blossoms on the toilet tissue roll.