The Haiku Moment: Seeing the World in a Grain of Sand, Secondary

The Haiku Moment: Seeing the World in a Grain of Sand - Secondary contains many ideas that could be adapted for the seventh and eighth grade students with whom I work. The curriculum unit is aimed at cultivating an understanding of the connection between Japanese culture, the natural environment, and haiku. It is pointed out early in the booklet that although haiku is often incorporated in language arts programs, the link is not always made between the importance of the aesthetic themes and cultural values reflected through haiku.
This curriculum unit provides six lessons relating to haiku. The first lesson focuses on structure and themes. This is a lesson I would consider adapting for use with a seventh or eighth grade class. I found the discussion of kigo particularly interesting. The second lesson presents a focus on Japanese aesthetic principles as they relate to haiku. Through the use of slides and background information provided in the booklet, this lesson focuses on the concepts of simplicity and suggestion. The concepts of spontaneity and rhythm are also discussed. Lesson three focuses upon the importance of the theme of nature in haiku. On an accompanying CD, one can listen to 5 examples of haiku read in Japanese and then read in English. The CD also includes a segment of minyo, Japanese folk music. After discussion of the above mentioned lessons, I think it would be particularly interesting to play minyo while having students write haiku. The fifth lesson focuses on translating haiku from Japanese to English, and the sixth lesson introduces optional activities. One activity I found of particular interest, perhaps for older students, suggested having students report on how certain British and American poets were influenced by the haiku form.
I found this curriculum unit, comprised of a booklet and two accompanying CD’s, very informative and “user friendly” with regards to broadening an understanding of haiku.