A. GENERAL MUSIC LESSONS: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 3/4, 4--also Chorus and Japan club.
--Songs: Tanabata Sama (The Japanese Star Festival), Haru Ga Kita (Springtime Has Come), Sakura, Amefuri (The Japanese Rain Song), Osamu Kosamu (Biting Wind)
--Instruments studied: Shamisen, Shakuhachi, Koto, Taiko Drums
--Stories: The Drums of Noto Hanto, Yoshi's Feast, Momotaro (Peach Boy)
--Dances: Tanko Bushi--the traditional Japanese Folk Dance was dance taught to the class in a group circle. Choreographed ribbon routines to Sakura.
--General Information: Geography of Japan, climate, customs, counting in Japanese, basic greetings ("sayonara", "arigato", "konnichiwa")
--Library books-see recommended materials Counting Japan, From A to Zen
--Films: Rabbit Ears radio--Momotaro; Reading Rainbow The Paper Crane; American Heritage, Japanese Americans (also includes lots of life in Japan); Japanese Instruments; footage from my own trip--i.e........, the taiko drum class that I took.
B. WORK WITH OTHERS:
1. Collaboration with education peer--Ruby
Thibault Milton Elementary School Art Teacher:
A sampling of artwork from each of these classes was displayed during our
Japanese Night--see pics on website
Fish Kites--Grades 4 and 3/4 five classes at approx. 20 students each
Fans (which also use the brush stroke techniques described below) --Grades 3 and
3/4 also at five classes of approx. 20 students each.
Sumi-e Freebrush strokes--Grades 2 and 3
Traditional Art form.
From
300 Years ago.
Black is the most beautiful color.
Use perpendicular brushe strokes.
Proper hand strokes-correct arm positions very important.
Treasured brushes are often passed down from generation to generation.
This teacher
frames the artwork in colors.
The students
painted natural objects such as twigs and blossoms for modeling.
This teacher allowed her students 7 brush strokes.
There is an
emphasis on floral work.
Each stroke has something important to say.
The knowledge from this technique seems to transfer to other
artwork--giving them a quality technique to use within a number of different
styles . . .
2. Worked with fellow music teachers: ribbon dance choreography, shared Japanese lesson materials and mini-grant stuff.
3. PowerPoint presentation of my Japan travels to all classes, Japan Club, faculty, the superintendent, and to parents and other community members who attended Japan Night.
4. Mini-grant materials to share with the district--see recommended materials.