Symbols and Writing

SUBJECT: ENGLISH: Symbols and Writing

TERMS:

Culture, Composition, Patterns, Communication

TEKS:

Chapters 110.41-110.45, 110.52, 110.54

OBJECTIVE:

Students will gain a better understanding of Japanese writing and the differences between different cultures' writing styles and characters.

IMAGES:

See Images Below

Kunisada, Seated Samurai
with Cane,ca. 1830

Hiroshige, Ladies in Boats
Watching Fireworks, ca. 1850

Tominobu, Female Staring
into Fire Pot, ca. 1820

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

Notice the writing on some of the pictures. Japanese writing uses different characters and symbols than English writing. What might the symbols mean? 

ACTIVITY:

Have each person in the class use three (3) different index cards to create their own symbol. On each card have each student draw a symbol and write out what it stands for; each person should have an action symbol (verb), an object symbol (noun), and a descriptive symbol (adjective or adverb). 

Then break the class up into three or four groups and let them each make sentences using any symbol in the group. Have students write out their symbol-sentences on paper, on the board, or even use black ink and a brush as seen in the images of Japanese prints. Students may want to write a story with the new symbols. Encourage the artistic nature of the symbols. For example, a drawing of a bird may represent "to fly".

Have each group then present their creative symbols to the class.  What understanding have you gained about different writing characters?