Asian Art Lesson Plan

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Checklist
·       Class General Art Class
·       Grade 7th Graders
·       Unit Multi culturism any part in unit, this is a self contained, one day lesson
·       90 minute class
 
Materials
·       Students
o       Bamboo Brushes
o       Rice Paper
o       Ink dish
o       Ink
o       Small container to hold water
o       Cloth placemat
 
·       Teacher
o     Asian background music
o     Incense lighter Incense holder
o       Power Point slide show of examples
o       Printed computer examples of artwork
o       Scissors (to cut rice paper)
 
 
Objectives:  This is a short lesson on Asian stamping/calligraphy technique.   My following goals of the lesson are:
·        Students will be given a brief look at Asian art (A.8.3)
·        Students will understand that Asian art is a reflective of Buddhist culture, (meditation, balance, free from desire)(J.8.3)
·        Students will become familiar with manipulating materials (bamboo brushes, India Ink) and produce their own artwork. (Standard C)
 
Standards -
 
·        Content Standard A Students in Wisconsin will know and remember ideas about art and design around them and throughout the world.
 
o       Performance Standard  A.8.3 Students will know about art from other parts of the world
 
·        Content Standard C SiW will design and produce quality original images and objects.
 
·        Content Standard J SiW will reflect upon the nature of art and design and the meaning in art and culture
 
o       Performance Standard J.8.3 Students will learn ways different cultures think about art
 
Hook  *5 minutes
 
·        While students are walking in there will be set up stations.  Stations should be 1 per student (as budget permits) each station will include:
 
o       Rice paper, 1 small container of water, 1 bamboo brush, 1 cloth placemat, 1 ink dish filled with India ink, and a computer print out of an example.  The students can share examples
 
Also set up as they are walking in:
·         incense will be lit
·        Japanese/meditation music will be playing in the background  
·        A power point slide show of examples of Asian print/calligraphy examples will be looping.  All of this is intended to rouse their curiosity and get them ready, interested, and excited for the lesson.
 
 
 
Activity
 
1.)Teacher Demonstration--  *15
·        I will ask students to gather around me while I demonstrate the techniques for Asian calligraphy/stamping
·        Introduce the lesson, tell them that today were going to make prints like the ones on the PowerPoint presentation and examples shown.
·        Explain that Asian prints and calligraphy often times are inspired by nature and there are certain archetypes that appear. Show examples of
o       Bamboo
o       Blossoms
o       Mountains
 
·        Give a physical demonstration of the technique used, making a quick painting while they watch.  Be sure to cover the following points, being sure to show them examples instead of just talking about them:
o       The brush should not be too dry or too wet, either will distort their piece
o       To control the value (lights/darks) of their piece, water, not pressure is used.  Similar to watercolor paints.
o       They should be standing up, and hold their entire arm stiff from their shoulder to their fingers, and hold the brush lightly.  They should move their entire arm when making the strokes and not just their wrists.
o       Try not to think about the movements too long.  The goal is to be  fluid, not precise.
 
·        While working on the demonstration ask the following question:  Does anyone know what religion is practiced in China, Japan, and Korea?  Someone will say Buddhist.  Ask if someone can tell a few things about Buddhism, and start a mini discussion.  The following points should be addressed.  Spirituality is gained through meditation, where it is a time to reflect, clear their mind and try to let go of the physical world (material possessions, vanity, etc)  Balance and simplicity is also valued.  One way they do this is through their art.  They meditate while they make these prints.  It is the process and the aesthetic experience that is important, not the finished painting. (J.8.3)
·        Mention that the characters on the sides of the prints are words or poems that come to mind during the meditation.
·        Mention Tibetan Buddhist monks that make sand paintings and wipe them away, because it is the experience that is important, not the finished art.  Ditto with Zen sand gardens.
·        Finish up, ask for questions, and direct students to their stations
 
2.) Student project -  *50 min  (40 + 5-10 cleanup)  (Content Standard C)
·        Students will work for the allotted time on their own prints while the teacher slowly circles the room to answer any questions or to help when needed.
·        Have background music playing, maybe have lights dimmed, candles, incense to create a meditative environment
·        Mention that examples are provided for guidelines but feel free to experiment and go their own way, they will not be penalized.  When they are finished with a print cut a piece of rice paper and start another one.
·        Have students clean up their stations and put their prints on the drying rack. Have them set up stations for next class
 
3.) Reflection    *15 min
·        Have them write a reflection in their sketchbooks(to be collected at a later date).  If they do not complete their reflections in the time allotted they can finish it up for homework. The following points
o       What did they like/not like about the activity? (For teacher self-evaluation
o       What are some characteristics of Asian art? (A.8.3)
o       How is Asian/Buddhist culture reflected in their art? (J.8.8)
 
 
 
Closure *5 min
·       Ask if there are any questions about the project/sketchbook assignment.
·       Set some time aside to walk around and look at examples of each others work on the drying rack a few minutes before the bell rings.
 
ASSESSMENT-
Points Rubric
 
Class Project:   (Content Standard C)
 
Technical Achievement/ Quality of work
 
3 - Calligraphic technique mastered, work is not over watered, and brush strokes are loose and fluid. Design elements of balance and value are present.
2 Calligraphic technique attempted. Some fluidity.
1 Sloppy, little attempt made of technique.  Streaking and over watering are present.
0 Incomplete
 
Time / Effort
 
3- Student used entire period to work and showed concentration
2 Student used most of time to work and moderate effort
1 Student did not make use of their class time and showed little effort
0 Incomplete
 
Sketchbook Reflection
 
Question: What are some characteristics of Asian art? (A.8.3)
 
2 Student shows understanding of where the art is from (China, Japan, Korea), and lists some of its characteristics (ink on rice paper, linear, simple, done with calligraphic brushes, has characters sometimes, drawn from nature)
1- Student is unclear where the art is from and does not demonstrate a clear comprehension of its characteristics.
0- Incomplete
 
Question: Who is Asian/Buddhist culture reflected in their art? (J.8.3)
 
2- Student makes the connection between Buddhism and meditating and the