Five College Center for East Asian Studies Sakura in Japanese Culture Webinar Curriculum Resources Beth Maiorani, Librarian Cobbles Elementary School Penfield, New York
In addition to the Resources for Sakura in Japanese Culture linked here, I have created 1) a bibliography of outstanding books for teaching Japanese culture through the study of the Japanese celebration of Sakura, 2) found an incredible resource available online through the Smithsonian Institute with lesson plans for the study of Japan, and 3) provided a quick and easy online resource to create word searches and crossword puzzles.
1. Bibliography for the study of Japanese culture through the celebration of Sakura:
Broderick, Setsu, and Willamarie Moore. Japanese Traditions: Rice Cakes, Cherry Blossoms and Matsuri: A Year of Seasonal Japanese Festivities. Rutland: Tuttle Publishing, 2010. Print.
DeSimone, Corkey Hay. Cherry Blossom Friends. Washington DC: Gentle Giraffe Press, 2009. Print.
Esbaum, Jill. Cherry Blossoms Say Spring. Washington, DC: National Geographic Children's Books, 2012. Print.
Kras, Sara Louise. Japan in Colors. Mankato: Capstone Press, 2009. Print.
McClellan, Ann. Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Illus. Ron Blunt. Washington DC: National Geographic, 2012. Print.
McClellan, Ann. The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration. Piermont: Bunker Hill Publishing Inc., 2013. Print.
Reed, Jennifer B. The Falling Flowers. Fremont: Shen's Books, 2005. Print.
Reynolds, Betty. Japanese Celebrations: Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars! Rutland: Tuttle Publishing, 2006. Print.
Say, Allen. Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1997. Print.
Stilton, Thea. Thea Stilton and the Cherry Blossom Adventure. New York: Scholastic, 2011. Print.
2. Exceptional resource available online through the Smithsonian Institute, “The Arts of Japan: A Teacher’s Guide“ at: www.asia.si.edu/explore/teacherresources/japanlessonplans.pdf
Included in this resource are four lesson plans for various grade levels, K-12, including goals such as: 1. To write a haiku inspired by the brilliant painting “Waves of Matsushima” by Sotatsu. 2. To instill an appreciation for the way natural imagery and sensory information are used in the composition of a haiku poem. 3. To understand the significance of Japan’s Mount Fuji, relate it to other similar places in the United States, and convey the importance of a cultural landmark through visual art. a. What is a place that might represent Washington, D.C., to the world? Can you think of one place of cultural significance to the Japanese people in Washington, D.C.? b. Students may already know about cherry blossoms, but if not, share with them that cherry blossom trees were given in 1912 by the people of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. These particular cherry blossom trees are seen as a symbol of friendship between the United States and Japan. They are near the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Every year there is a Cherry Blossom Festival in late March through early April, because around that time the trees bloom. Cherry blossoms are treasured in Japan because of their beauty and because the flowers are in bloom for only a short time each year. c. What do you think is one place that is very sacred in Japan or special to the Japanese people? Why? Where did you learn about this place?
3. Teachers and students can create word searches and crossword puzzles at: www.puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com
www.crosswordpuzzlegames.com
(See example on following page.)
This webinar and the development of the curriculum resources were funded by a generous grant from the US-Japan Foundation.
S akura
W E V W X Q P Y V E D K P A V
J A P A N O I L L L L S L R M
U T S S E R O M D I C S W U Z
B B Z H L Y S T B Z H X A K C
B I B I I T R L R A K I K A T
B Y Y N Z C O R X E M C T S M
B U H G F S A P E A E Z Y J C
F O D T S M G U N H L S Q V L
Q Y N O N F B A S P C G O H O
J L M N G C H H D K Q R J C U
O S P I V P R D U A K B W N C
R E F J M D J L J G W J O X L
Q T F A B C C P Y Z K J W N Q
A X Q Y P B B K B O N E U I L
W G G C T D H M M W T M R T T
BLOSSOMS CHERRY ELIZA GIFT HANAMI JAPAN SAKURA SCIDMORE TREES UENO WASHINGTON