LESSON PLANNING CHART
Date Major Concept Text Activities Homework Evaluation

Mon.

Major Concept: Depiction of nature in Japan
Text pages: 530-540 (was homework)
Activities: 1) Discuss development of Shinto religion and its basis in nature.
2) Examine various types of use of water in art and its meaning.
Homework Assignment: a)Terms to know: Define in full sentences a list of
relevant terms.
b) Find examples in art book or on line.
c) Read pp. 320-329

Evaluation: Go over in class next day their definitions and examples.

Tues.

Major Concept: Symbolic use of water in Islamic lands
Text pages:320-343
Activities: 1) Discuss the expansion of Islam and its influence over architecture in
the development of mosques and water rituals.
2) Examine various types of mosques and courtyards with fountains.
Homework Assignment: a) Read pp. 330-343.
b) Handout – Activity sheet on linear patterns (attached)
Copy into journal notebook.

Evaluation: Give them an opportunity to choose two designs and do a permanent
piece for their portfolio.

Wed.

Major Concept: Renaissance poetry and paintings containing references to water;
Water as creation and absolution
Text pages: 620-628
Activities: 1) Discussion of Baptism rites of Christian churches as well as other
symbolic baptismal rites in other cultures. Ask for student ideas and
examples. Do they know if and where they were baptized?
2) Discuss water routes of the Silk Road and have them map out the
routes on a map of the area.
3) Slide show depicting water in the religious and secular art of the time.
Homework Assignment: a) read pp. 629-647
b) find an example of water in a major piece of Renaissance
art by searching on the web.
Evaluation: Attach the Renaissance art piece to a piece of colored paper for display
in the classroom.

Thurs.

Major Concept: Water depicted in the literary forms of the three cultures
Text pages: various pages from several literature books and Haiku poetry
Activities: Handout copies of Renaissance voices, quotes by famous thinkers
and philosophers of the times. Typical handouts:
The White Doe by Petrarch
A picture of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus (they could write a short verse
about its theme)
The Black Death, a handout on the idea that it came from a poisonous
mist, or the rumor of the times that it came from
poisoned wells (poisoned by Jews) anti-Semitic
ideas of the day – start a discussion on that
Homework Assignment: Begin original art work on required pieces for this lesson.
1) Japanese drawings of the use of water from a scroll
2) Draw a Zen garden

Evaluation: All artwork pieces will be evaluated when finished and prepared for
presentation and display.

Fri. ****This is PORTFOLIO DAY in my classroom, when the students work on
their original artwork during the class time.

Activities: Students will work on the following required pieces:
1. The previously mentioned Japanese pieces
2. The courtyard of a mosque with arches and a fountain
3. A detail from Renaissance art, either from one of the photographs, or
something they have found on their own.
4. They might choose to write an original two page story about the painting,
or research its importance. Who would have commissioned it? Where is
it placed and why?

FINAL EVALUATION OF WORK:
The criteria for grading involves points for neatness, effort, creativity, relevance to the topic, use of color, line, and design. Each piece receives a letter grade with B standing for Good, A for Excellent, C for Average work, and D for Inferior work. F is reserved for No work. All of the Portfolio pieces comprise 25% of their course grade, with Homework valued at 25%, Tests at 25%, and Special Projects, or Presentations representing the final 25%.