Beauty from Japan
Inspiration Book:
Wabi Sabi by Reibstein, Mark - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8. Text mainly in English with some Japanese characters. Wabi Sabi, a cat living in the city of Kyoto, learns about the Japanese concept of beauty through simplicity as she asks various animals she meets about the meaning of her name.
Rationale: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, a garden, a mountain view, a desert sunset, a nickname, blue eyes, golden skin tones, or your personal name. We were given special names by our parents when we were born. Some of us love our name, some wish we had another. For the younger students we’ll explore names like Wabi Sabi did. While Wabi Sabi was looking for the meaning of her name she also discovered beauty in simple things. In Grades 3-8 we’ll explore the creation of Wabi Sabi by the author and illustrator. In Grades 5-8 we’ll explore a bit of Japanese culture, actually occidental/eastern culture, art and poetry.
Grades K-3--What’s in a Name?
Background: this is a good lesson to use at the beginning of the year when you are learning student names.
Preparation: Internet access and Computer with Projection capability. Computer lab access.
Options 1 & 2: Computer lab access with a draw program such as KidPix, TuxPaint or Pixie that has picture stamps. Log on to computers for the youngest especially if this is near the beginning of the year, and bring-up the software.
Determine which of the activities you would like to use, for that will determine some of your preparation.
Name cards for all students.
Introduction: Do you know what your name means? Mine means uncertain and is a form of the name Marie. In our Inspiration Book a cat tries to learn the meaning of her name. We’ll also learn a bit about Japanese life.
Read aloud:
Wabi Sabi by Reibstein, Mark - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8. Text mainly in English with some Japanese characters. Wabi Sabi, a cat living in the city of Kyoto, learns about the Japanese concept of beauty through simplicity as she asks various animals she meets about the meaning of her name.
Do you like your name? I never liked mine because it could be either a boy’s name or a girl’s name and I thought it was very old-fashioned. Then a musical became popular and the main character had my name, and she had my job. Now I don’t mind my name so much. The girl in the next story didn’t like her name either.
Read aloud:
My name is Yoon by Recorvits, Helen - Farrar, Straus and Giroux, p2003, c2003--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.1 Disliking her name as written in English, Korean-born Yoon, or "shining wisdom," refers to herself as "cat," "bird," and "cupcake," as a way to feel more comfortable in her new school and new country.
Do you know why your parents gave you your name? My name was popular when I was a little girl, and my parents liked it. The little girl in the next book loves her name until...
Read aloud:
Chrysanthemum by Henkes, Kevin - Greenwillow Books, p1991, c1991--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8 Chrysanthemum loves her name until she starts going to school and the other children begin to make fun of it.
We’re going to play a game with our names to help me get to know all of you better. I have your name on a card. When I call you name, I want you to stand up and tell us all your whole name--first, middle if you know it, and last. Then take the card and line up at the door to go into the computer lab. We’ll stay in line and sit at the computer next in line.
Option 1: (I like to use this activity at the beginning of the year and again at the end of the year for comparison purposes. Demonstrate on Computer with Projection capability, using the drawing with stamps program you have.) Using the letter stamps, stamp your name across the top of the page. Then using the pencil, print your name under the letter stamps. Also using the pencil tool, draw a picture of yourself. (Print, put into student file of computer work or save in their file
on the server.)
Option 2: (Demonstrate on Computer with Projection capability, using the drawing with stamps program you have. This option works well only after students have mastered beginning sounds--late 1st grade or later for most.) Stamp your name across the top of the computer page like I just did. Find other stamps within the stamp collection that begin with each of the letters in your name. Place the stamp underneath the correct letter in your name. (Print, put into student file of computer work or save in their file on the server.)
Other Titles to Substitute, Supplement, Display or Check-out:
My name is Aviva by Newman, Leslea — Kar-Ben Publishing, 2015. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.6. Aviva isn't happy with her unusual name until she hears the wonderful things her great-grandmother, who she was named in honor of, did.
Thunder Boy Jr. by Alexie, Sherman — Little, Brown and Company, 2016. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.6. Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name...one that's all his own. Dad is known as Big Thunder, but Little Thunder doesn't want to share a name.
A song for my sister by Simpson, Lesley — Random House, 2012. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.7. Mira's birthday wish comes true when her baby sister is born, but the little one spends her first eight days wailing, leaving the family at a loss for a name to announce at her simchat bat until Mira's song during the naming ceremony has an unexpected effect.
Penny and her doll (Penny) by Henkes, Kevin — Greenwillow Books, 2012. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.9. Penny instantly loves the doll her grandmother sends her, but finding the perfect name for her is a challenge.
Use your words, Sophie! (Sophie (Rosemary Wells-Viking)-PK) by Wells, Rosemary — Viking, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), 2015. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.9. When Sophie's new sister won't stop crying, only two-year-old Sophie can communicate with her, even if she isn't using her words as her parents want her to.
Alma and how she got her name by Martinez-Neal, Juana — Candlewick Press, 2018. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.0. When Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
My name is Sangoel by Williams, Karen Lynn - Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, p2009, c2009--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.3. Sangoel, who is proud of his rich African heritage, moves to America, and when nobody there can pronounce his name correctly, he fears he will lose his identity.
Girls : A to Z by Bunting, Eve, 1928- - Boyds Mills Press, p2002, c2002--428.1--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8. Girls with names ranging from Aliki to Zoe imagine themselves in various fun and creative professions.
The name game! by Moss, Marissa — Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011. Dewey: -Fic-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. In her diary, Daphne Davis doodles, draws, and documents a series of disasters on her first two days of fourth grade, most of which result from her new teacher accidentally calling her Daffy.
Stella Batts needs a new name (Stella Batts, Book 1) by Sheinmel, Courtney — Sleeping Bear Press, 2012. Dewey: -Fic-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. When a classmate makes fun of her name, eight-year-old Stella picks a new one for herself, but discovers that the name she abandoned suits her just fine.
Behind the Name http://www.behindthename.com/
Grades 3-8--What’s In a Name?
Preparation: Internet access and Computer/Projector capability for interview of Rebstine and Young and for Behind the Name: http://www.behindthename.com/ and Computer lab access with a draw program. Pencils. Access to computer lab for class. Draw program. Cut out letters “What’s in a Name?” and make display of students’ work.
Introduction: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, a garden, a mountain view, a desert sunset, a nickname, blue eyes, golden skin tones, or your personal name. We were given special names by our parents when we were born. Some of us love our name, some wish we had another. Mark Rebstein and Ed Young created a book about beauty and names and Japan. Listen to what they say about the creation of the Inspiration Book.
View:
You Tube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca2Ly4Vpb5Y
Now that we have a little background about how the book was made, let’s actually read the book.
Read aloud:
Wabi Sabi by Reibstein, Mark - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8. Text mainly in English with some Japanese characters. Wabi Sabi, a cat living in the city of Kyoto, learns about the Japanese concept of beauty through simplicity as she asks various animals she meets about the meaning of her name.
Wabi Sabi wanted to find out the meaning of her name. Do you know what your name means? Mine means uncertain and is a form of the name Marie.
Project: Next we’re going to find out a little about your name. I’ll give each of you a note card and pencil. Your job will be to go to a website about names: Behind the Name: http://www.behindthename.com/ Write the various meanings of your name on the card, including the language or origin.
After you know the meaning, make a sketch illustrating the meaning on the note card. Then use the draw program available to us, add you name to the top of the page in large type--at least 48 points. Then add the sketch you made on the card. Ask to print. I’ll make a display of all
of your names.
Related Titles:
Stella Batts needs a new name (Stella Batts, Book 1) by Sheinmel, Courtney — Sleeping Bear Press, 2012. Dewey: -Fic-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. When a classmate makes fun of her name, eight-year-old Stella picks a new one for herself, but discovers that the name she abandoned suits her just fine.
Rump : the (fairly) true tale of Rumpelstiltskin by Shurtliff, Liesl — A Yearling Book, 2018. Dewey: -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.4. Relates the tale of Rumpelstiltskin's childhood and youth, explaining why his name is so important, how he is able to spin straw into gold, and why a first-born child is his reward for helping the miller's daughter-turned-queen. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
Grades 5-8--A Japanese Mosaic Extension
Preparation: Gather as many easy books about Japan as possible, including folktales and poetry and nonfiction--at least one per child. If need be, use interlibrary loan. Large bulletin board or sheet of roll paper for the display. Note cards.
Introduction: Earlier we read an Inspiration Book about the Japanese concept of beauty, Japanese art, haiku, and name meanings.
Today we’re going to do a round robin book read. If the book is short, read the entire book quickly, study the pictures to get a flavor of the art style. If the book is longer, select a chapter from the table of contents that interests you and read the chapter, study the pictures and the picture headings. Read some of the haiku samples. When you finish one book, move to the next book in line from your right and keep the books circulating. Before you send a book to your left, jot down an idea or two that you found interesting, didn’t know before, or really represents Japan. Write down a haiku for you find one that you like.
At the end of the hour, turn in the note card, and think about how you could illustrate the ideas on your card tomorrow.
Next day:
Preparation: Gather a collection of textured paper and origami papers, scissors, glue, paint or ink, brushes
Introduction: I hope your mind was working overtime last night as you thought about how you could represent your ideas about Japan in an illustration. I’ve gathered some interesting papers. Your job is to put ideas into an illustration. You may add the haiku you found to your illustration
similar to what done for Wabi Sabi. When you have finished the illustration, I’ll add it to the display area.
Resource Titles:
Take me out to the Yakyu by Meshon, Aaron — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2013. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.8. A little boy's grandfathers, one in America and one in Japan, teach him about baseball and its rich, varying cultural traditions.
Fold me a poem by George, Kristine O'Connell - Harcourt, p2005, c2005--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.0 A collection of poems about origami animals.
The boy in the garden by Say, Allen — Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. After Jiro encounters a life-like garden statue of a tall bird, he falls asleep and dreams of the story his mother once told him about a grateful crane.
The boy who drew cats by Ravishankar, Anushka — Karadi Tales, 2013. Dewey: 398.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. In this retelling of a Japanese folktale, a young boy does nothing but draw cats, which causes him trouble until he learns that he has a true purpose.
Yoko finds her way by Wells, Rosemary — Disney/Hyperion Books, 2014. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. When Yoko gets lost in the airport, she uses her sign-reading skills to find her way back to her mama.
The boy from the dragon palace : a folktale from Japan by MacDonald, Margaret Read — Whitman, 2011Dewey: 398.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. A magical boy grants a poor flower-seller's every wish until the greedy and ungrateful man grows tired of the boy's unpleasant behavior and sends him away.
Zen shorts by Muth, Jon J - Scholastic Press, p2005, c2005--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.7 When Stillwater the bear moves into the neighborhood, the stories he tells to three siblings teach them to look at the world in new ways. Caldecott Honor
Erika-san by Say, Allen Follett eBook (single-user access) — Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. After falling in love with Japan as a little girl, Erika becomes a teacher and fulfills her childhood dream by moving to a remote Japanese island.
Kenta and the big wave by Ohi, Ruth — Annick Press, 2013. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. When a tsunami strikes a small village in Japan, Kenta loses his prized possession a soccer ball that gets swept away by the waves.
Some things I've lost by Young, Cybele — Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press, 2015. Dewey: 745.54; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. On fold-out pages. Invites readers to consider the inevitability of change and the power of the imagination. The sculptures in this book were made entirely from Japanese paper.
Dodsworth in Tokyo (Dodsworth) by Egan, Tim — Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2013. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. Dodsworth's duck companion is surprisingly well-behaved during a visit to Tokyo, although he does fall into the koi pond at the Imperial Palace and becomes the center of attention at a Sanja Festival.
Tsunami! by Kajikawa, Kimiko — Philomel Books, 2009. Dewey: 398.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. A wealthy man in a Japanese village, who everyone calls Ojiisan, which means grandfather, sets fire to his rice fields to warn the innocent people of an approaching tsunami.
The sound of silence by Goldsaito, Katrina — Little, Brown and Company, 2016. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. Yoshio delights in the everyday sounds of Tokyo, but when a musician tells him that her favorite sound is ma, the Japanese word for silence, Yoshio sets out to hear this sound for himself among the hustle and bustle of the city. Includes information on the Japanese concept of ma.
Wink : the ninja who wanted to be noticed by Phillips, J. C — Viking, 2009. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1. Wink is thrilled to be accepted to the Summer Moon School for Young Ninja, but he cannot quite master the concept of being silent and stealthy when what he really wants is to be noticed.
If not for the cat by Prelutsky, Jack - Greenwillow Books, p2004, c2004--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.3. Presents an illustrated collection of haiku-style poems about different animals.
Grandfather's journey by Say, Allen — Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. A Japanese American man recounts his grandfather's journey to America, which he later also undertakes, and the feelings of being torn by a love for two different countries.
Hana Hashimoto, sixth violin by Uegaki, Chieri — Kids Can Press, 2014. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. With the help of her memories of the time she spent in Japan with her ojiichan, which is a professional violinist, a young girl named Hana practices and practices playing her violin for her school talent show.
Issun Boshi : the one-inch boy — Little Gestalten, 2014. Dewey: 398.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. Tiny but capable and adventurous young Issun Boshi goes to Japan's capital city of Kyoto, where he proves himself a valuable servant to kind Lord Sanjo and his daughter, Princess Sanjo.
While you are sleeping : a lift-the-flap book of time around the world by Bernhard, Durga — Charlesbridge, 2011. Dewey: 389; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.7. Readers must lift the flaps to compare the same moment of time in countries around the world. Includes a map and information about time zones. With each page turn, readers see the same moment in time in nine different countries- the United States, Nigeria, Japan, Mexico, India, Thailand, Haiti, England, and Brazil. The lift-the-flap feature makes the "big idea" concept of time accessible to young readers.
Fish for Jimmy : inspired by one family's experience in a Japanese American internment camp by Yamasaki, Katie — Holiday House, 2013. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.3. When brothers Taro and Jimmy and their mother are forced to move from their home in California to a Japanese internment camp in the wake of the 1941 Pearl Harbor bombing, Taro daringly escapes the camp to find fresh fish for his grieving brother. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
Sort-of-difficult origami by Alexander, Chris - Capstone Press, p2009, c2009--736--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 4.0. Step-by-step instructions for creating more difficult origami projects including a fox mask, a tulip and stem, a masu box and insert, a penguin, a seal, a goldfish, a waterbomb, and an ornament.
Drawing from memory by Say, Allen — Scholastic Press, 2011. Dewey: 741.6; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 4.1. Caldecott medalist Allen Say chronicles his experiences as an artist during World War II, and describes his relationship with his mentor Noro Shinpei, Japan's leading cartoonist.
The East-West house : Noguchi's childhood in Japan by Hale, Christy — Lee & Low Books, 2009. Dewey: 709.2; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.3. Profiles the personal and professional life and career of Japanese American artist, sculptor, and landscape architect, Isamu Noguchi, focusing on his childhood in Japan, mixed heritage, and his talent for combining both Eastern and Western influence into his designs. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
Our seasons by Lin, Grace - Charlesbridge, p2007, c2006--508.2--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.6. Answers questions children ask about the changing seasons, and includes illustrations and related haiku.
Easy origami by Meinking, Mary - Capstone Press, p2009, c2009--736--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 4.7 Step-by-step instructions for simple origami projects, including a drinking cup, a spinning top, and a fortune-teller.
Difficult origami by Alexander, Chris - Capstone Press, p2009, c2009--736--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 4.8. Step-by-step instructions for creating difficult origami models, including a cat, lily, crested bird, rabbit, frog, picture frame, and a speedboat.
Easy origami by Boursin, Didier - Firefly Books, p2005, c2004--745.5--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.1. Contains an introduction to origami, and provides color-illustrated step-by-step instructions for twenty-four projects, in various stages of difficulty, including flowers, animals, decorations, dolls, cubes, and more.
Basho and the river stones by Myers, Tim (Tim Brian) - Marshall Cavendish, p2004, c2004--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 5.5. Tricked by a fox into giving up his share of cherries, a famous Japanese poet is inspired to write a haiku and the fox, ashamed of his actions, must devise another trick to set things right.
Are you an echo? : the lost poetry of Misuzu Kaneko by Jacobson, David — Chin Music Press, 2016. Dewey: 895.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.9. A brief biography of Japanese children's poet Misuzu Kaneko. Includes a selection of her poems in English and Japanese.
Totally cool origami animals by Krier, Ann Kristen, 1962- - Sterling, p2007, c2007--736--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 6.4. Origami papers -- Basic folding techniques -- Animal origami projects. Piggy head ; Cat head ; Doggie head ; Fox head ; Bulldog & cow variations ; Rainbow caterpillar ; Clams ; Goldfish ; Grasshopper ; Mommy & baby penguins ; Bat ; Flying butterfly ; Cardinal & blue jay ; Collie dog ; House mouse ; Stingray ; Turtles ; Frogs ; Love birds ; Turkeys ; Peacock ; Pot bellied pigs ; Whale ; Dragonfly ; Owl ; Bat & owl garland ; Seal ; Rabbit. Describes the basic folding techniques of origami, looks at origami papers, and features illustrated, step-by-step instructions animals.
Haiku by Bodden, Valerie - Creative Education, p2010, c2010--809.1--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 6.2. An introduction to haiku that discusses its origins in ancient Japan; and includes examples with analysis of various elements.
Japan by Reiser, Robert - Benchmark Books/M. Cavendish, p2003, c2003--952--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 6.3
Where in the world is Japan? -- What makes Japan Japanese? -- Living in Japan -- School days -- Just for fun -- Let's celebrate. Young explorers will discover the culture of Japan in this lively and easy-to-read text highlighting the country's geography, people, food, schools, recreation, celebrations, and language.
Japan by Phillips, Charles, 1962- - National Geographic, p2009, c2007--952--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 6.8
An introduction to Japan that discusses its geography, natural landscape, history, people, culture, government, and economy.
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