Japanese Arts and Culture Program

Graham Elementary School, 1999-2000

October
Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago grant is received Indian Prairie Educational Foundation grant for haiku and tanka poetry workshop is written
Japanese Pokemon cards are display in the hallway
(Pokemon characters are ironed on to Mrs. Edwards art smock)

November
Photos from Japan, Japanese posters are art visuals are display in the hallway for student, faculty and community viewing
The Japanese Arts and Culture Center is established in the library (newspaper article in The Daily Herald)
The Japanese Pokemon video is shown to students at the end of art class
Mrs. Edwards presents and inservice to the Graham School staff regarding her trip to Japan and the Japanese educational system

December
Grades 1, 4 and 5 begin origami lessons
IPEF grant for haiku and tanka poetry is received
A two-tiered origami instruction sheet organizer is created for the art room, providing students with easy access to dozens of folded forms
The book, Sadako, is read grades 4 and 5
The "sembrazuru" , (chain of 1000 origami cranes), is started
The Graham School PTA will be asked to fund the Japanese food tasting
(newspaper article in The Chicago Tribune)

January
Students will learn about the Year of the Dragon, 2000, and the
Japanese/Chinese zodiac
Grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 visit the Japanese Cultural Center-library
Grades K, 2, and 3 begin origami lessons
Japanese paper ball game in gym class
Japanese music lessons begins
Classroom teachers will be given a book list of children’s book which relate to Japan or Japanese arts and culture
Mrs. Edwards will speak to the Graham School PTA about her trip to Japan, the Japanese educational system and the Japanese Arts and Culture Program at Graham School. PTA Volunteers will be requested
A reproduction of the "Great Wave" by the Japanese artist Hokusai will be painted on a wall at Graham School
The Japanese flag and large red and white origami cranes will be displayed on the multi-purpose room wall
A Pokemon mobile will be created for the library

February
The haiku and tanka poetry workshop will be scheduled for grades 3-5
Ikebana and bonsai floral demonstrations in the library
Classroom teachers will be given supplies and directions for Zen rock gardening and bonsai potato gardening
Japanese food tasting in the lunchroom

March
Girls’ Day, 3/3/00 - make folded paper dolls, origami kimonos

April
Japanese Arts and Culture Festival
Daiko Drummers from the Buddhist Temple perform
Okinawan Dancers perform
Koto string club performance
Haiku and Tank poetry readings
Student Japanese art work displayed
Mrs. Edwards will offer a staff development class on Japanese art, the Japanese educational system and grant writing

May
Boys’ Day, 5/5/00 - fly kites
The "sembrazuru", chain of 1000 origami cranes is sent to the Hiroshima,
Japanese Peace Memorial
All Graham School students will review what they have learned about '
Japanese arts and culture.

Japanese Arts and Culture Study at Graham Elementary School, 1999-2000

Monthly Plan of Activities prepared by Debbie Edwards, 11/22/99

October

· Talk to newspapers, Daily Herald and the Chicago Tribune

· Write Indian Prairie Educational Foundation mini-grant for Japanese Haiku and Tanka poetry workshop for grades 3-5.

November

· Set up Japanese Cultural Center in the LMC

· Display photos of Japan and prepare hallway bulletin boards with information about Japan

· Display Pokemon cards, wear Pokemon apron, show Japanese Pokemon video to K, 1, 2 at the end of art class

· Take classes to the LMC during art class to talk about items in the Japanese Cultural center, look at photos/bulletin boards on the hall walls

· Write PA grant for the funding for a Japanese food tasting in February 2000, during lunch periods and in Kindergarten classes.

· Begin "sembrazuru" - chain of 1000origami paper cranes and share the story of Sedako with grades 4 and 5

· Grades K-2 make Japanese/American paper flags for a hall display

· Find dragon pictures, find 700 -5 yen coins, research Japanese games, hem Japanese flag-display in the LMC, hang kites in the LMC find 700 chopsticks, find nori, find fabric and Kimono/hoppi coat pattern

· Order/buy books, art supplies, (get reimbursement -P.O.)

December

· Set aside time to speak to each grade level in the LMC about Japanese arts, culture and education, show video of Kita Elem. School in Omiya, (wear Yukata/obi/zoris) - (photo opportunity)

· Discuss Japanese New Years and 2000 being the Year of the Dragon and zodiac signs

· Begin painting Hokusai’s "Great Wave" mural on a wall. (Ask Mrs. Davis, Mitchell’s Mom or Mrs. Berk, Kelsey’s Mom for assistance)

· Sew child size kinomo/obi and hoppi coat for students to try on

· Newsletter, 12/15, request help/info/resources from parents

January

· Sumi-e and calligraphy demonstrates in art class (photo op.)

· Attend PTA meeting to present Japanese trip and request PTA helpers for February food tasting

· Offer staff development class on Japanese Arts and Culture and/0r grant writing

· Japanese paper ball game in P.E. classes (photo opportunity)

 

February

· Ikebana and Bonsai floral arranging demonstration in the LMC, all classes will sign up for a time slot to view demonstrations.

· Japanese food tasting for all grade during lunchtime recess and in Kindergarten classrooms (Setsubun Feb. 3 or 4 - eating your age in beans brings good health during the year.) PTA helpers will be asked to help prepare and serve Japanese foods.
Japanese foods:

"yakitori" - chicken or beef on a stick rice, (chopsticks) or rice cakes

Ramen noodle system

"nori" - seaweed strips

assorted vegetables cut into shapes and designs

ice tea in "Nagani" glass

(photo opportunity)

Large origami cranes and Japanese artwork will decorate the lunchroom along with the Ikebana and Bonsai floral arrangements.

March

· Girl’s Festival on Friday March 3^{rd will be celebrated by making Japanese girl and boy paper dolls in kimonos, doll will be displayed in the lunchroom and hallways (photo opportunity)}

· Complete "Great Wave wall mural painting"

April

· Graham School Japanese Arts and Culture Festival which will be held at Crone Middle School or NVHS:

Koto string club presentation

Taiko drummers

Okinawan Dancers

Judo/Aikido/ Karate demonstrations

Students Haiku and Tanka poetry presentation
Graham student Japanese art work display

May

· Boy’s Festival on Friday May 5th will be celebrated by making and flying "koinobri" - carp kites during lunch time recess or at the end of the day. All students will have a kite, (made in class), to fly (photo opportunity)

· Review what we have learned the year about Japanese arts and culture with all classes

· Send the "sembrazura", (1000 origami paper cranes), to Hiroshima memorial