CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY
Calligraphy literally means "beautiful writing" and Chinese calligraphy is the artistic writing of characters basic to the Chinese language. It is written right to left and vertically. It is considered an elegant art form, as well as a written language and has been around for nearly 4000 years. Calligraphy has always been considered equal or even superior to painting.
In this activity, students become acquainted with calligraphy and Chinese characters.
MATERIALS:
* Poem:
Quiet Night Thoughts -by Li Bo
*
Calligraphy paper (can downloaded from web site)www.wfu.edu/~moran/z_GIF_images/callig/callig_master.gif
*
Felt tip markers (preferably with a calligraphy tip)*
Examples of Chinese calligraphy for students to copy*
large white art paper*
colored pencils
*
Beside my bed the bright
moonbeams bound
Almost as if there were frost on the ground.
Raising up, I gaze at the mountain moon;
Lying back, I think of my old home town.
~Li Bo
PROCEDURE:
Students read poem by Li Bo and discuss thoughts about poem.
Students practice copying and writing the Chinese characters on calligraphy paper (remember to begin on the right and proceed to the left, and to write vertically)
When students feel comfortable writing the characters on the calligraphy paper, have them transfer their work to the white art paper and illustrate the poem.
Questions for discussion:
How did it feel to write using Chinese character as opposed to the familiar alphabet?
How do you think some of your classmates might feel when they are familiar with this type of writing and have to do their studies (reading and writing) with an unfamiliar alphabet?
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