Lesson Title: Kamishibai
Course: Honors Art
Grade: 9-12

Objectives: As a result of instruction, students will be able to…
1. Read Japanese folktales and identify common characteristics.
2. Create several drafts of an illustration for their section of the chosen folktale.
3. Critique each other’s work after each draft.
4. Create a large illustration using mixed media.
5. Present the story to elementary students.

Materials:
Paper
Pencils
20” x 30” Foam core
Paints and paintbrushes
Tissue paper and glue
Rice paper and decorative paper
Magazine
Modeling paste
Sculptamold
Matte varnish
Gesso and clay tools with serrated edge
Balsa wood square dowels
Watercolor & watercolor paper
Colored pencils
Fabric
String

Instructional Resources:
"Japanese Tales" Edited and Translated by Royall Tyler, Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/japan.html
http://www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/folk.html
http://home.clara.co.uk/wabei/xlations.htm
Pictures of Kamishibai
IMovie of Kamishibai

Motivation:
1. Teacher will show students the photos of one Kamishibai.
2. Teacher will show the iMovie that includes the translation of the story in the photographs and a second Kamishibai with the Japanese played as the illustrations are shown and an English translation afterwards.
3. Students will read Japanese folktales on the internet and from the book.
4. Students will identify common characteristics in these folktales.
5. Students will choose one folktale that they want to illustrate as a group.
6. Students will break the story into enough parts so that each student can create an illustration.
7. Students will do a 4” x 6” preliminary sketch.
8. Students will put their sketches on the board in the order of the story and critique each other’s sketches. Students will make suggestions to improve composition and consistency.
9. Students will do a second sketch which is 8” x 12” and has revisions in response to the critique.
10. Students will have a second critique.
11. Students do a final 8” x 12” sketch.

Procedure:
1. Students will draw the image onto 20” x 30” foam core.
2. Students will add color using mixed media.
3. Students will print the text out and mount it on the back of each illustration.
4. Students will go to elementary schools to read the Kamishibai.

Evaluation: To what extent did students…
1. Identify common characteristics in Japanese folktales.
2. Contribute to each group critique.
3. Revise each draft of the illustration in response to the critique.
4. Create a large, visually stimulating illustration using mixed media.
5. Hold the interest of elementary students when presenting the Kamishibai.

Photos of students working on Kamishibai