Chinese Rituals Guest Speakers

[Anonymous]

LaTasha those are brilliant ideas...I think I might borrow them when my art students journey into art history

[Anonymous]

I took pictures- but the visuals did not have the same feel as the whole package with music and burning incense. They seem to understand genders well- I have no idea what to do with my potpourri except give it to a more appreciative female. According to Google Translate potpourri is Huāxiāng (花香) in Chinese.

[Anonymous]

This word...."potpourri" looks Italian/Latin in origin to me...how did it become Chinese and involved with the ceremonies which were demonstrated last Monday? Is there a research project brewing here ? Was there a connection between Marco Polo and China that scholars of history have not noticed yet?
Is it possible that Chinese culture first made sachets and stuffed them with the natural, aromatic scent of Lavender...and later the Italians copied the craft?
Hmmm....I am wondering.....
edited by hhardwick on 5/9/2015

[Anonymous]

I had my students listen to similar Chinese music that we were exposed to last Monday. I had my students listen after lunch. This opportunity seemed to soothe, calm and energize my students. I proceeded to discuss some of the history surrounding the ceremonial preparation and presentation of green tea. I shared with them that some of the tea must reach a certain temperature for ideal benefit. The students were fascinated. I informed that the first evidence of tea in Japan dates back to the 9th century when a Buddhist monk returned from China. I also informed the students that the custom of drinking tea was initially for medicinal purposes, later, it was used for pleasure. This lead to further discussion on its cultivation and preparatation. Needless to say, this experience has really opened my students eyes to the continent of Asia. I see this as a continuous conversation and learning about this important continent.

[Anonymous]

It is actually French , and it means word by word rotten pot.It was copied by the French during the Napoleonic occupation of the city of Burgos,and it refers to some kind of herb stew made in a pot.Layers of herbs were alternated with layers of salt for preservation.

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

I appreciate the guest speakers that exposed us to Chinese rituals. In my opinion, engaging our student's senses is very important. The wood pieces that were being hit together served as a wake up call drawing our attention to the front of the room. The burning of the incense was calming, the flowers were pleasing to the eyes, and the tea was warm and tasty. I felt privileged to have the opportunity to taste the tea that was brewed by hand right before my eyes.

Now, I am thinking to myself, what can I do to bring this experience to my students? What can I do as a history teacher to bring content alive. Well, I am thinking of putting together an envelope that my students can decorate and call their "scholar" box. For my 7th grade World History Classes I can have them focus on Chinese rituals like the one from Monday night's class. However, with my 8th graders, I can have them pack a "scholar" box for their journey to the Western frontier. I am truly inspired!

[Anonymous]

I think the Tea Ceremony is something that could easily be enjoyed by all age groups. The ceremony seemed to be incredibly engaging for the 4th grade class that we saw participating and it also seemed to be very engaging for us as adults as well. I think that incorporating something like this into my own classes would be appreciated by my students.

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