Reference
Lauren Fawcett
6th Grade Math and Science
Founders’ Hall Middle School, McKeesport Area School District
Learning from Asian Art
Japan
The Japan unit from the Philadelphia Museum of Art was well thought out and well written. It is short and to the point, so the students will not become bored with too much of the same information. This unit is appropriate for third grade and up.
The unit on Japan discusses about Jomon Jars, archaeology, Buddha, calligraphy, hand drums, interior designs, hanging scrolls, tea jars, etc. It encompasses a lot of Japan’s culture into one video. The curriculum has a VHS and a DVD that comes with it. I would show clips of the film to the students to further explain how tea ceremonies work and such. I would want to know why Japanese people value and still do certain things today because the students should understand and know why things are the way they are.
I would like to have culture weeks where I would teach about a specific culture and this unit would greatly enhance my lessons. The film could be updated so it can intrigue the students better, but it does do the job. I would make a unit focusing on Japan and the students can physically do calligraphy, pottery, and tea ceremonies throughout the week.
In conclusion, I recommend this unit on Japan and I believe you can do many activities with it with many grade levels.
