[Tanish Fortson]

I like the ideas for teaching haikus to students using a musical approach so that students become familiar with the mechanics and structure of a haiku. A lesson plan for students in 1^stand 2^ndgrade is possible because students are exposed to poetry as early as kindergarten. The goal should start off as students to practice writing a haiku in a group with the teacher as a classroom activity. The student’s responsibilities will be paying attention, learning new vocabulary, and editing. 

The objective: students will participate in a 20-minute class discussion to create a list of words for writing a class haiku. 

Explain to students what the definition of a haiku is. Tell them we will be working on this for a few days. Ask students to look out the window and note what they see and what is taking place at that moment. Ask students what did they observe. Tell students to be specific and give they sentence starters if they are having trouble. Write key words on the board because these will be the building blocks for the classroom poem. 

POSSIBE EXAMPLE OF WORD: tree, window, bird, wind, butterfly. 

The next day objective: create haiku suing words from previous day. 

Review words with students. Explain that their words can be used to and put together to make poems. Write the poem with the students. An example poem may look like: 

we looked out the window 

we saw a butterfly

it flew away

[Tanish Fortson]

I have not read Memoirs of a Geisha but I did watch the movie. I originally wanted to review the movie but soon realized it was inappropriate for my students. I really enjoyed the movie and feel like this book can be used in a high school setting for students that are a bit more mature. A possible lesson plan that could work falls under social studies for 10-12^thgraders. Student can start a journal on what the know about a Geisha before they start the book. They can discuss their findings with a partner or in a small group.  Next show the students the movie trailer and they can then discuss how if their predictions were right or wrong. 

 

Next generate discussion questions for the students to answer.

 

1.  Inwhat ways can movies be a useful way of teaching about historical events? 

2.  What are some limitations of using films to teach about history?

3.  Do we watch films differently in an academic setting than we might in an informal setting (at home, with friends, on a Saturday night)? If so, how?

4.  What questions should we ask ourselves before watching a film about a historical event? 

5.  Thinking specifically about the film Memoirs of a Geisha – what are the possible advantages of using this movie as a teaching tool? What are the potential drawbacks? How might the teacher use the film in an effective manner?

 

Allow student to freely answer and chart answers. At the end of the lesson return to the original question of what a Geisha’s role is. Ask students if the film/book may mislead viewers into an inaccurate perception about what a Geishas actually are.

[Tanish Fortson]

I am once again very thankful for taking this class and am very appreciative of this program offered to teachers. I have once again learned a lot about the history of Asia. I am grateful for this experience and have told other colleagues about this wonderful opportunity. This class really opened up my mind in terms of cultural history, traditions, art history, and Asia. I have traveled to parts of Europe and the United Kingdom and cannot wait to travel to Asia. 

Most of the information presented was not appropriate for Kindergarten and first grade students. Cognitively, my students would never understand this type of information. Most of what I learned will need to modify and differentiated in order to teach my students. With summer break rapidly approaching I will not have enough time to do that much with my students on work around Asia but wil will try to squeeze a few things in. 

We will learn about Confucianism.  I will introduce Confucius as a teacher in ancient China who had strict ideas of how people should behave. I will also tell my students that Confucius hand many rules that you must follow. This concept might be difficult for 5 and 6 year olds so I would need to create a craft as well to go with this potential lesson such as a drawing a picture of Confucius and writing down a few of his rules. Another lesson I can do with my students before the school year ends is a lesson called mapping Japan. First students will research the islands of Japan using a 3-D topographic map. When completed students will create a 3-dimensional scale model of Japan’s islands. Students will show landforms such as mountains, rivers, and lakes. Have students paint the map and when it dries label everything.  Another lesson I that I can do with my students after we return to school will involve Chinese New Year. I can teach my students about the 12 animals and their characteristics. I can also explain how 1/6 of the world celebrate Chinese New Year and is the longest public holiday. Most workers get 7-12 days off and celebrate with family. My students will enjoy this because and we can make crafts such as dragons, lanterns, and animals. 

I would have to say that the guest that I enjoyed most was Simba and his presentation on saving the lions. He inspired me in many ways. I’m not going to leave my job and go live in the jungle but I do want to spend a summer volunteering and giving my time to a cause. My favorite activity in class with the debate I was apart of the Mohists group. The Mohistspromotes a philosophy of impartial caring; that is, a person should care equally for all other individuals, regardless of their actual relationship to him or her.  They should be the same toward everyone. There should be no hierarchy. Treat people the same with love the same which of how you would treat your family. These are rule to live by in real life and I really enjoyed learning about the Mohists. 

[Tanish Fortson]

Eileen Cheng is an Associate Professor at Pomona College.  Her work focuses on Lu Xun (1881-1936) who wrote Chinese literature and studied the effects of western thought and theories on Chinese culture. While reading Diary of a Madman, I must admit, I was a bit confused. This type reading I think is more for middle and high school students. After the first read I thought the madman had schizophrenia and was completely losing his mind. I continued to read over and over to get a better interpretation of how the madman’s mind is processing the world we live in. The moon was referenced a lot and the diary starts off by the madman saying that he hadn’t seen the moon in thirty years so this represents so sort of newly gained insight from the moon. This insight leads him to question dogs, people, children, his family, and even his doctor. This plays on the cannibalistic nature of Chinese history and its governing ideology and ethics. I myself do not know about this history but would certainly be interested in learning more about it.  

[Tanish Fortson]

Professor Yamashita touched on the rules during the Tokugawa period in order to carry out a vendetta. To legally carry out a legal revenge, a person had to apply for permission from authorities. When the petition was granted, the daimyo had a letter sent to the shogunate so that the avengers name can go on the official list. Then a copy of the persons name on the list was then sent to them. The registration process was important for the avenger because usually if you are a target you know you’ve done something and to save yourself you will go into hiding. The only option that the enemy had was moving to another lord’s domain. If this happened the revenge is difficult without the shogunte support. And if the avenger still carried out the vendetta in a different area, they may have a difficult time proving to authorities that this wasn’t just a random killing and that his actions were legal in that specific situation. 

[Tanish Fortson]

On a random Sunday I decided to go to the Japanese Garden at Long Beach State University.  This place is such a hidden little gem. The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2 for children ages 4-18. As I entered I noticed that the garden hosts events so I decided to get a few fliers on that. Enter into the actual garden is like going into a little nature oasis that is surrounded by beauty. In the summer the garden is full of color and greenery that showcase trees and shrubs. They have a deck for taking amazing pictures with the pond as your backdrop. The garden features Lion Dogs at the gate, which is meant to ward off spirits both good and evil. There is a dragon stone panel carving. According to Japanese legend, dragons represent prosperity, and control the wind and rain. The Koi feeding is very exciting. 

 

The Kasuga lantern and the snow-viewing lantern are just a few popular lanterns that you will see on your visit. The garden allows one to become a member and the cost depends on what type of membership you have. The benefits of being a member will allow for free tours, complimentary tea parties invitations, and discounts on programs and workshops. The Garden has a lot of upcoming events such as the member tea and tour, trimming of the black pines, Father’s Day barbecue, and summer Jazz picnic, which is an awesome opportunity for new learning experiences.  For me I fell in love with the scenery, the rocks, the temples and shrine like fixtures. I ended up booking this venue for my baby shower. I have not had the event as of yet but am very excited for my guest to see this beautiful oasis. 

[Tanish Fortson]

The Li family who seized power during the collapse of the Sui Empire founded the Tang Dynasty. This was a large population of people and by the 9^thcentury the population had grown to an estimated 80 million people. There were many innovative developments during the Tang. This is one aspect to focus on if you have younger students such as myself. You can do a unit on inventions of the Tang Dynasty. The popularization of woodblock printing bought the written work to larger audiences, which increased literacy in the population. Students can make their own woodblock print. It has been noted that playing cards may have been invented around the 9^thcentury AD as a result of the woodblock printing. Clocks and timekeeping was invented. We could look at photos of how time was kept and have a discussion on why keeping time is important. Gunpowder was the most influential invention of the Tang Dynasty and it became worldwide. It was put into stone projectors and used to attack the enemy. A classroom discussion on how the world might have been without this invention could be a possible thought provoking question to pose to the students. 

[Tanish Fortson]

Visiting the gardens at the Huntington Library was very informative and would be a great place to take your students on a field trip throughout the grade levels.  The Japanese Garden features this crescent shaped bridge that is breathtaking. Another feature of this garden is the Japanese House. According to the history, this house was created in Japan and shipped to Pasadena in the early 1900s and Henry Huntington acquired this in 1911. There is also a ceremonial Teahouse in the Japanese garden that was built in Kyoto in the 1960’s and given to the Huntington. Its placement is in the middle of a manmade lake with koi fish. The Japanese garden also featured the Bonsai and Zen Court. The Chinese garden featured architecture and rocks from Lake Tai. The architecture has lattice and hard-carved decorations across bridges and pathways. I think both gardens have a lot to offer in terms of showing harmony, beauty, and grace. 

[Tanish Fortson]

The article that I found the most interesting are the commercial contracts for sales. It’s mind blowing that even during the 1300 and 1400’s we had rental, buyer, and sales contracts so that it could be in writing that what is supposed to happen will actually happen. The increasing political influence of the merchants and the weakening of imperial rule marked the commercialization of the Ming dynasty. With the abolishment of forced labor by peasants, a new class of laborers emerged so along with that came a contract for hiring a worker. I personally think this was used also because of the large numbers of laborers that abandoned the land to become artisans. Farmers played a significant role to the empire because they produced the food, which sustained the empire.  Farmers were seen as vital and productive social class in the Ming Dynasty. They were needed and a contract helped keep them working. 

[Tanish Fortson]

Before taking this class I had never heard of Mohism (the teachings of Mozi). So I enjoyed the debate. The Mohists formed a highly structured political organization that tried to realize the ideas they preached, the writings of Mozi. Like the Confucians, they hired out their services not only for gain, but also in order to realize their own ethical ideals.  Mohists people promotes a philosophy of impartial caring; that is, a person should care equally for all other individuals, regardless of their actual relationship to him or her.  They should be the same toward everyone. There should be no hierarchy. Treat people the same with love the same which of how you would treat your family. People should be more respectful and loving to each other. Being humane, caring, and helpful as well as having a basic love for everyone is best. War was wasteful so Master Mo didn’t agree with it. He opposed to any form of aggression, especially war between states. It is, however, permissible for a state to use force in legitimate defense. Mohists see math, engineering, science, geometry, logic thoughts, not other things such as war. 

 

 

[Tanish Fortson]

I always find myself drawn to things that women go through just to live a decent life. Matchmaking is no new thing. It’s been around for centuries. Men in South Korea who necessarily do not make much money but cannot marry up, find themselves in an undesirable situation. The problem that the article highlights is that these marriages are falling apart as quickly as they began. This article follows is a 20 year old Vietnamese woman named Danh.  From what I read, Danh is one of the luckier ones because her husband is actually nice and seems to love her. But some of the other women are not so lucky. They are 19 and 20 year old young women that end up with some 40 something year old men. I cannot imagine being a young impressionable woman marrying a man that I did not know and we didn’t even share the same language. Most women in this situation want to be obedient to their families and the men they marry so they usually don’t protest. 

[Tanish Fortson]

Mao took advantage of the people by saying that they need to be re-educated by the poor and middle peasants. Mao and other Communist set out to reshape the Chinese society.  Many business owners and people with higher positions were executed as capitalist’s exploiters and landlords. Mao urged the youth to rebel and this became what we refer to as the Red Guard. They carried little red books with quotes from Mao Zedong and terrorized capitalists. 

Propaganda takes place when information is misleading and used to promote or publicize a particular political cause/point of view. I think the propaganda comes in because things were not as they seemed. Mao felt his leadership being threatened and removed any threats (highly educated teaches, scientist, engineers, and managers) He didn’t want anyone who had authority apart of what he was trying to build. Mao wanted an Egalitarian life for everyone. I don’t disagree with the egalitarianism but I think its necessary to question Mao’s motivates and the way he went about doing things. Needless to say things got out of hand and China was sent into social turmoil.

[Tanish Fortson]

Lucy Hornb is deputy bureau chief for the Financial Times in Beijing. Lucy is American and grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Princeton University and moved to China in 1995. She speaks Mandarin, French and Spanish and spoke with the seminar about pollution in China. China has launched a fight against pollution. Their food and air has become a serious problem because food is contaminated and villagers are developing cancer at a seemingly higher rate. Lucy explained to us that sometimes the food industry maybe a little corrupt by making false claims because the food industry for example, on things such as organic food is not regulated. So they can say something is organic but pesticides were really used. Another example is from the article in the forum,  “Hairy Crab Scandal” in which crabs from elsewhere were bought to Lake Tai, which had, underwent a billion dollar clean up. Apparently some corrupt crab breeders were practicing something called bathing crabs. It is when crabs are put in Lake Tai so the breeders are pretending that the crabs come from Lake Tai. 

[Tanish Fortson]

I most enjoyed Zhuo Qiang/Simba’s presentation on saving the lions. He is the first Chinese wild life reservationist to work there in Kenya. He is an extraordinary man and has dedicated his life to his dream of helping save the lions from extinction. Simba lives a very modest life on a campsite and educates the Masai village in Kenya using a Community Based Conservation Model, which simply states that if you help a community first then, the community will join them in saving the lions. He has been successful in his efforts. The Masai villagers at first were hostile toward the lions when they would harm or kill their livestock.  Simba explained that due to the lack of habitat, and loss of their natural prey, the livestock is a target so they need to build stronger fences to protect their livestock. He has helped they build that fence among other things such as a school, church, and teach them how to use tourism as a second source of income in addition to livestock. Teaching a village how to sustain economically is extremely importat to their survival and directly related to the preservation of the lion population. 

[Tanish Fortson]

I am slightly obsessed with knowing the population demographics of every place I travel and how they change over the years, which is why I love to take road trips and look for the little green signs that tell us how many people live in a particular city. When reading this article about the demographic crisis, I found myself wondering are these women similar to myself? As a woman I did not marry the 1^st man that made himself available to me. I wanted to go to college and was not ready for that type of responsibility. I just got married a year and a half ago and am expecting my 1^st child at the age of 36. Obviously at 36 I will not have a large family of 5 children. I’d love that but I am simply too old. In my opinion the question is, are these women choosing education and career over family? The answer is yes but I can completely understand why because I have internally had the same fight with myself. I am well aware of gender roles that are expected in Asia in because my husband comes from a traditional family (his dad worked and his mom stayed at home and raised 5 kids). His expectations for the order of our household are similar to that of how he was raised. Mind you that we both work full time but as the woman of the house I am expected to cook and clean and manage my career as well as baby when she gets here in a few months. I’m not going to touch on all of the disparities of marriage but as a woman, it’s easy to see why women are dissatisfied with the choices and want more supportive husbands. 

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