Ch 1: Japanese Art & Music Lesson Plans
About This Chapter
Japanese Art & Music Lesson Plans - Chapter Summary
This collection of supplemental teaching resources is designed to help educators plan engaging lessons about Japanese music and art. Inside the chapter, you'll find detailed lesson plans that go over the history of calligraphy and origami, as well as Gagaku instruments and the characteristics of Japanese music. The chapter also includes fun Japanese music games that you can use in class to further engage your students in the study of Japanese music.
The chapter includes interactive quizzes that you can use to make sure you're ready to teach these lessons to your students. You can also assign the quizzes as homework assignments and use the lessons to supplement your instruction.
How It Helps
- Class activities: Engages students with fun Japanese music games
- Curriculum standards: Make sure your Japanese art and music lessons cover essential information about their history and characteristics
- Additional resources: The lessons in the chapter can also function as supplemental in-class teaching tools
How It Works
This helpful resource offers teachers lesson plan outlines with relevant tools to make planning Japanese art and music lessons easy.
- Find lesson plans for specific Japanese art and music topics you want to cover in class.
- Formulate your Japanese art and music class outline using the suggested classroom tools offered in the lesson plans.
- Share the related Japanese art and music lessons for each lesson plan with students in class to make learning fun and engaging.
- Use related lesson quizzes to ensure your students understand the most important Japanese art and music concepts from the lessons.
- Engage your students with relevant Japanese art and music activities, discussion questions or other materials found in the lesson plan outline.

1. Origami Lesson Plan
What is origami? A text lesson provides a definition and history for students and an activity allows them to see for themselves. Related lessons and activities are provided for future instruction.

2. History of Origami
Origami is an ancient form of art that developed in Japan. Explore the origins of origami and its initial purpose, and then examine how this art, which involves folding paper, has changed over the centuries.

3. Japanese Calligraphy Lesson Plan
Teach your students about the ancient art of Japanese calligraphy. A text lesson explains the history of the art and its purpose and shows examples from famous artists. Students ask and answer questions before applying knowledge to an activity.

4. Japanese Calligraphy: Art, Symbols & History
Did you know that writing can also be an art form? In Japan, it is. In this lesson, learn about the art and history of Japanese calligraphy and get an introduction to its distinctive symbols.

5. Japanese Music Lesson Plan
What is unique about Japanese music? This lesson plan uses a text lesson to outline Japanese music for students and an activity geared toward analysis allows students to demonstrate mastery.

6. Gagaku: Music & Instruments
Gagaku, Japanese court music, has existed for centuries. We will learn about the traditions and instruments that constitute this colorful, evocative art form.

7. Japanese Music Games
Japanese music has such a long and storied history; it's difficult to find it uninteresting. This lesson gives teachers ideas for classroom games intended to teach students about Japanese music.

8. Anime Lesson Plan
Anime is an entertaining form of art that has descended from Japanese culture. Your students will learn about anime as they read a text lesson, watch short clips of anime and create their own anime.

9. Anime: History & Style
In this lesson, explore an entertainment phenomenon that started a century ago: anime! Discover its history and the evolution of the techniques used. Also, learn about the main characteristics of anime and some of its genres.

10. Gyotaku Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students are going to explore the Japanese art form of gyotaku. They will learn about the history and methods of this art form, and they'll practice it themselves.

11. Gyotaku Art: History & Technique
Can you use a real fish to make artwork? Does it make a mess, and what kind of materials do you need? In this lesson, explore the Japanese art of gyotaku.

12. Japanese Brush Painting Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students will explore the aesthetics and ideologies of Japanese brush painting. They will apply their knowledge to their own original compositions.

13. Japanese Brush Painting: Techniques & History
Have you ever tried to create beautiful lines with a single brushstroke? Can you paint in one color? In this lesson, explore the history and techniques of Japanese brush painting.

14. Japanese Carp Kites Lesson Plan
Japanese carp kites are beautiful pieces of art. With this lesson plan, a text lesson explains the history and purpose of the kites, a game reinforces concepts, and a hands-on activity gives them a chance to show understanding.

15. Japanese Carp Kites: History & Meaning
Japanese carp kites symbolize strength and date back to the samurai. Learn about Japanese carp kites, their history and significance, and how to fly a carp kite.

16. Japanese Kimono Art Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the art of Japanese textile design. The lesson includes a study of the different styles of kimono textile creation and a simple resist dyeing project.

17. Japanese Notan Lesson Plan
As you teach your class about Japanese art, consider using this lesson to introduce the notan style of art. In this lesson, students will compare notan to other styles of art and create a notan painting and notan-inspired kirigami snowflake.

18. Japanese Notan: Artists, History & Designs
Notan is the Japanese concept of lighting and color values in an artistic composition. Explore the defining characteristics of notan, its historical use in Japanese art, and key artists employing notan in various artistic media.

19. Japanese Tanka Poetry Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students are going to learn about the purpose and form of tanka poetry. They will then compose their own tanka poems individually.

20. Japanese Folktales Lesson Plan
This lesson plan is a tool for helping students learn about Japanese Folktales. Students will answer questions about a text and retell some well-known tales.

21. Japanese Folktales: History & Examples
In this lesson, you will explore the influences and history of Japanese folktales. You will also see some examples of Japan's most famous folktales, including the tales of Momotaro and the tongue-cut sparrow.

22. Japanese Art Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will learn about some key historical types of Japanese art. They will express their learning by creating their own artwork using the themes and forms discussed in the lesson.

23. Japanese Art: Types & Styles
From ancient ceramic sculptures to painted silk scrolls and colorful woodblock prints, Japanese art is made in many ways. In this lesson, learn about the various types and styles.

24. History of Japanese Art
Japanese art has an extensive history spanning over 12,000 years. Explore the characteristics of Japanese art during the Jomon, Yayoi, Kufon, Asuka, Nara, Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi, Azuchi-Momoyama, Edo, Meija, Taisho, Showa, and Heisei Periods.

25. Japanese Tea Bowl Lesson Plan
This lesson plan is a tool for helping students learn about Japanese Tea Bowls. Students will answer questions, discover the importance and history of the tea bowls, and create their own tea bowls.

26. Japanese Tea Bowls: Designs & History
Do you like tea? Did you know that the Japanese have special bowls for tea? In this lesson, learn about the history of Japanese tea bowls and explore different designs.

27. Japanese Tea Ceremony Lesson Plan
Use this lesson to help students understand the history and steps of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Students will create a flow chart of the ceremony's steps and re-enact the ceremony in small groups using various props.

28. Japanese Tea Ceremony: History & Steps
In this lesson, we are going to discover the delicacy and protocol behind one of the most important Japanese ceremonies: The Tea Ceremony. Learn about the origins and history of this ritual, as well as the steps performed before, during, and after the ceremony.

29. Japanese Cultural Activities
The Japanese culture is rich and strong. The activities offered in this asset will engage your mid- to upper elementary students in their exploration of many aspects of Japanese culture. Group and individual activities are provided.

30. Japanese Doll Festival Activities
The Japanese Doll Festival, also known as Hinamatsuri, is an important holiday celebrated on March 3 of each year. Use these activities in your middle or high school classroom to expand student's knowledge of the holiday.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the World Music & Art Lesson Plans & Activities course
- Asian Music & Art Lesson Plans
- Caribbean Music & Art Lesson Plans
- Russian Art & Music Lesson Plans
- Greek & Roman Art & Architecture Lesson Plans
- Cultural Art & Music Lesson Plans
- Native American Art & Music Lesson Plans & Resources
- Latin American Art & Music Lesson Plans
- African Art & Music Lesson Plans