Unit of Work: Chinese Shadow Puppets. Part 1

Unit of Work: Chinese Shadow Puppets . Part 1. Immersion activities: In 4 groups the students read and discover different areas of Chinese Arts. The Inquiry approach enables the students to gain knowledge through reading, research, writing, and drawing. They further develop their understanding by asking questions, group discussion and sharing their knowledge. Each group will complete the 4 activities.

Activity 1. The students read the information about Chinese Fables and answer questions related to the text. From what they have learnt they complete the Thinking Planner on Chinese Fables.

Activity 2. The students read the information about Chinese Opera. From what they have learnt about Chinese Opera, the characters and the different makeup techniques, they colour in the 2 masks often used in Chinese Opera. The students write a description of their characters.

Activity 3.Using the different web sites provided, the student’s research information about Chinese Shadow Puppets. From what they have learnt they fill in and complete the Thinking Planner on Chinese Shadow Puppets.

Activity 4.The students read the information about the Chinese Dragon and complete the questions and colour in the Dragon.

Lesson: Chinese Shadow Puppets. 1. Introduce Shadow Puppets using Stimulus pictures (postcards) Refer to the information and research completed and understandings from The Unit of Work and The Chinese Shadow Puppet Thinking Planner.

Questions to discuss and answer; What countries use these puppets? When? How? Why? Compare the different countries and use a Venn Diagram to show the similarities and differences.

2. Using the Shadow Puppets that were purchased in China the students examine, discuss and use the puppets to understand how they work. The Shadow Puppets are used to demonstrate a well known Chinese story about The 3 brothers and The pig man. Discussion will follow about the moral.

3. Find out about the significance of the dragon and the tiger in Chinese traditions. The students use these Shadow Puppets to tell a story about their significance. This will be a whole class story with everyone contributing.

4.. Activity Students create and make their own shadow puppets. To manipulate their Puppets they use split pins and straws. The students write a simple story based on a Chinese Fable. They create a story referring to their Chinese Fables Thinking Planner to gain understanding and knowledge. The story is a simple story with a moral or a message. The students will work in pairs or a small group

5.The students use their puppets to tell their story using a sheet with a light behind it to create the shadow affect. The students will present and perform their Chinese Shadow Puppet plays to different grades in the school.

St.Paul’s Primary School 122 Jasper Road Bentleigh, Vic. Christine Hauserman Grade 3 THE CHINA EXPERIENCE Part 2.

Lesson: Australia and China

1. Ask the students for a visual example that symbolises Australia to them. They can bring a photo or a picture that reinforces their example

Share ideas; What represents Australia to you? Discuss the What? Why? When? How?

2. Encourage children to think about Australia and discuss the following. What are Australia’s Symbols; Heroes; Rituals and Values?

The students would have had an introduction to Chinese Art, after completing the unit of work on Chinese Shadow Puppets. Through stories and other information the students will be able to discuss different aspects of Chinese Art, traditions and customs.

1. Ask the students for a visual example that symbolises China to them. They can bring a photo or a picture that reinforces their example.

Share ideas; What represents China to you? Discuss the What? Why? When? How?

2. Encourage children to think about China and discuss the following. What are China’s Symbols; Heroes; Rituals and Values?

Using the information they have gained about both countries the student’s will then present a display that shows the similarities and the differences of both these countries.

St.Paul’s Primary School 122 Jasper Road Bentleigh, Vic. Christine Hauserman Grade 3