Rationale for Passport to Japan

Context:
Passport to Japan is a unit I created in my visual arts for the elementary school during my spring 2004 semester for Dr. Janet Montgomery.  The unit required me to research the Japanese culture and create four activities focusing on Japanese art forms.   Four of Japans most famous art forms are wood block printing, Zen gardens, Origami, and Kokeshi dolls.  Origami has a full lesson plan which includes vocabulary, activities, and background information.

Impact:
Since we live in a diverse country it is important that the students are introduced to the Japanese culture.  Using these lesson plans I will be able to incorporate the arts and social studies into one lesson.  In the following lesson plans students will explore the different art forms, be able to recognize them, understand concepts and aesthetics, and develops background knowledge of where the art form came from.

Alignment:

Passport to Japan aligns with the following program standards:

Standard 6, indicator 1- I met this indicator by incorporating vocabulary into the art projects such as line and shape.  I also included techniques and background information to go along with the Japanese art forms.

Standard 6, indicator 2- I met this indicator by creating lessons which will expose students to art forms from the Japanese culture.

Standard 11, indicator 2.  I met this indicator by exposing students to social studies through exploring Japanese art forms.

Standard 11, indicator 4.  I met this indicator by including mathematical concepts such as plane and shape into the origami lesson plan.

Standard 12. I met this standard by incorporating arts into the social studies curriculum.  Students will be able to learn about Japan and create art from Japan.