Lesson One

UCLA Center for East Asian Studies Educational Resources

Lesson One,
The Tea Ceremony

Objectives: Student will be able to grasp the importance of the tea ceremony in the Japanese culture; explain some of the history behind the ceremony; demonstrate a recreation of the ceremony.

Materials: Two options. 1) High tech: computer lab with WWW access so students can research tea ceremonies on sites such as http://www.art.uiuc.edu/tea/. 2) Low tech: handout on tea ceremony.

Focus: What is a Japanese Tea Ceremony like?

Time

Teacher Procedure

Student Activity

20 min. Call on volunteers. Read handout, Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Alternative: Spend a day in the computer lab as students find this information for themselves.

5 min. Explain project: Students will be acting out tea ceremonies in groups of 5, since this is the preferred number in Japanese society. One person will be the host, and four people will be the guests. All group members, however, must help set up the ceremony and provide props. Listen to directions. Ask questions.

5 min. Direct students to get into groups of 5. Find and sit near group members.

Alternative: Assign groups.

20 min. Circulate to assist as groups start the planning stage. Begin planning the ceremony. Decide roles, decide who will bring what props, etc.

Ceremony Day
In order to get better performances, more realistic settings, etc., I would give students at least three days (outside of class) to prepare for the demonstrations. Meanwhile, in class, we continue our study of other aspects of Japanese history.

10 min. Direct students to set up for their ceremonies. This might entail moving desks, hanging things on the walls, etc. Set up.

20 min. Circulate and evaluate as students act out the ceremonies. Act out the ceremonies, aiming for accuracy in as many respects as possible.

5 min. Lead discussion on the demonstrations. Ask for general impressions, findings, frustrations, etc. Discuss.

15 min. Ask the group most prepared, most authentic, etc. to demonstrate for the entire class. Watch demonstration.

Assessment: Observe students demonstrations and evaluate for authenticity, preparation, understanding of the cultural importance of the ceremony, etc.

Japanese and Chinese Culture Index

Time	Teacher Procedure	Student Activity
20 min.	Call on volunteers.	Read handout, Japanese Tea Ceremony.
	Alternative: Spend a day in the computer lab as students find this information for themselves.
5 min.	Explain project: Students will be acting out tea ceremonies in groups of 5, since this is the preferred number in Japanese society. One person will be the host, and four people will be the guests. All group members, however, must help set up the ceremony and provide props.	Listen to directions. Ask questions.
5 min.	Direct students to get into groups of 5.	Find and sit near group members.
	Alternative: Assign groups.
20 min.	Circulate to assist as groups start the planning stage.	Begin planning the ceremony. Decide roles, decide who will bring what props, etc.
	Ceremony Day In order to get better performances, more realistic settings, etc., I would give students at least three days (outside of class) to prepare for the demonstrations. Meanwhile, in class, we continue our study of other aspects of Japanese history.
10 min.	Direct students to set up for their ceremonies. This might entail moving desks, hanging things on the walls, etc.	Set up.
20 min.	Circulate and evaluate as students act out the ceremonies.	Act out the ceremonies, aiming for accuracy in as many respects as possible.
5 min.	Lead discussion on the demonstrations. Ask for general impressions, findings, frustrations, etc.	Discuss.
15 min.	Ask the group most prepared, most authentic, etc. to demonstrate for the entire class.	Watch demonstration.