This lesson plan deals with how to create Japanese paper known as Washi and Suminagashi. I also want students to practice how to use a brush to write their poems onto their paper using Japanese letters. Even though I am a high school teacher this lesson can also be used for middle school. Very easy concept for students to understand and be creative.
Please let me know what you think and how I can improve this lesson plan. Look forward to reading your post. 
Resources I plan to use:
How to make paper Video: http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/09/11/breathtaking-video-captures-the-beauty-of-traditional-japanese-washi-paper-making%E3%80%90video%E3%80%91/
About Washi: http://www.japanesepaperplace.com/abt-japanese-paper/about-washi.htm
Overview of Suminagashi: http://suminagashi.com/overview/
How to hold a brush, Chinese method: http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/background-information/introduction-chinese-brushpainting-techniques
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The Art of Paper Making & Writing
06/23/2016 07:30 AM
#1
The Art of Paper Making & Writing
I love this idea also! It does seem easy enough to teach to my upcoming 4th graders also! I love the idea of tying in some historical writing concepts and styles into my history and social studies lessons this year (especially being at a global awareness magnet school!). Teaching the students how to hold the brush and engage in the strokes seems interesting and engaging for the students, no matter the grade. I agree that this may be better geared towards middle or high school, especially for a visual arts course. I feel that it could also be tied in to language arts or creative writing classes as well. The videos are interesting to me as a teacher and I hope your lesson goes well!
This unit can fit in any visual art curriculum. Luckily I am the department chair at my school so I am planning on inserting this lesson into my Art 1 class during the first semester, which is mostly 9th graders. This will help introduce Japanese art and help them appreciate how to make paper and poems . Students do not need to come with any skills but it would nice if they have some background knowledge on Japanese artwork. In addition, my hopes are that this lesson will be reinforced by the history department when covering world history. I plan on collaborating with other teachers at my school.