Message from hmartinez

[Anonymous]

I was planning to make-up a session at the Bowers museum with my family last Wednesday afternoon, however what I found was unexpected. The Museum’s special event was for kids but I think that part of the event may work well with the high school students at my school.
When my family and I walked into the museum I observed the Terra Cotta Warriors statues, which reminded me of P.F Chang’s Restaurant. The information booth re-directed us towards the Kidseum, which is a part of the Bowers museum two blocks down the street. At the Kidseum there was a Japanese American family playing music on what I though were Chinese Tanggu Drums, however they were the Japanese version, O-Daiko drums. Once the family of four (mother-son-younger sister-and aunt) stop playing the drums they allowed the children to bang on the sets and then practiced some easy to learn techniques with the kids. Mind you that the kids are between 3 and 6 years old, so the noise level was quite high. I am pretty sure that the introduction briefly covered historical elements of the music and its use. Although the kids were not very much interested in anything but in making sounds. Once the hour presentation I had a chance to tour the exhibit on the Chinese Monkey King’s story. Attached to this post will be pictures of my visit.
Now, as to the part of how I may incorporate part of this presentation to my classroom instruction. First, our school would have to be either very fortunate or maybe we could be awarded a grant from the foundations I plan to apply to in order to get the funding necessary to have the presenters to come out to our school site. Secondly, I believe many teachers would instantly apply this presentation to the arts standards.

• 2.0 CREATIVE EXPRESSION Creating, Performing, and Participating in Music Students apply vocal and instrumental musical skills in performing a varied repertoire of music. They compose and arrange music and improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments, using digital/electronic technology when appropriate.

However, I am of the opinion that this may be also include into the better understanding of Japanese cultural history and also tie it into Language Arts. Our principal is always indicating how our students need help in writing skills, and with this presentation the students can write and express what has been observed and what they have learned.

• 2.0 Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics) Students combine the rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description to produce texts of at least 1,500 words each. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0. Using the writing strategies of grades eleven and twelve outlined in Writing S
• 11.7 Students analyze America’s participation in World War II.
• Discuss the constitutional issues and impact of events on the U.S. home front, including the internment of Japanese Americans

The Monkey King’s Story or museum’s other exhibit is not necessarily impressive enough to warrant a tour of the museum. Although I believe that the story itself may be interesting to some of my students as they may be able to uncover values through the story. The many re-telling of the story and different illustrations of the characters in the story, which may have changed throughout the years, may capture the artists in the class interests. Pictures of the story are also attached.
• 3.0 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
• Understanding the Historical Contributions and Cultural Dimensions of the Visual Arts
• Students analyze the role and development of the visual arts in past and present cultures throughout the world, noting human diversity as it relates to the visual arts and artists.

In summary, I would like to say that my kids had a good time and I enjoyed the Kidseum. I got what I needed from it but I would not recommend the drive down to Santa Ana unless there is a special event., such as the O-Daiko Drums I observed or maybe other such presentations.