TITLE: Guardian Figure Sculpture and its Significance in Japanese Culture

CULTURAL STUDIES: World Cultures

TEKS:

113.33

OBJECTIVE:

To utilize research skills in learning about Japanese culture.

MATERIALS:

• See image below

FOCUS: 

Have students conduct a one-page "journal entry." They should write what initial impressions they have of Japanese culture.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY: 

Using the Internet and library resources, have students learn about the meaning of these kind of Japanese Guardian Figures and their history. Look for their purpose, the significance of pose, and how/why they were placed. Other ideas may come up in the research that may support this effort.

CULMINATING PROJECT:

Have students write five questions each, based on their research. The teacher should also write out five difficult questions that can be used for "home runs". With the help of the students, move the furniture around to accommodate the playing of baseball. Designate the first, second, third bases and home plate. Students should be divided into two teams. Flip a coin to determine which team goes first.

The teacher is the pitcher and stands on the "pitching mound". in the center of the bases. When a student answers a question correctly, he/she moves to first base. Every so often, the teacher should use a question that he/she wrote and announce that the question is a "home run" question. The game can continue for a designated amount of innings or until class time runs out.

CLOSURE:

Recap what the Guardian Figures signify in Japanese culture. Do we have something(s) similar in the United States that serve a similar purpose? (For example: the Lady of Justice that presides over many court houses.)