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LESSON ONE: PHYSICAL APPEARANCE OF THE DRAGON
| Part I Intro | | | Lesson One |
| | Lesson Two | | | Lesson Three | | | Lesson Four | | | Part I Bibliography |
One 40 minute session
Materials Needed:
1. Easel and Chart Paper for web making and vocabulary
2. Collection of Picture Books(at least one per student). Bibliography available
at
the end of Unit 1.
3. Homework assignment: Describing Dragons
4. Collection of Nonfiction Readings
5. Copy of Jay Williams’ Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like(Simon
and Schuster, 1976 (ISBN:0027930904 )
1. Before the first class, all students will have read Jay Williams’ Everyone
Knows What a Dragon Looks Like.
2. Teacher will ask class what they think a Chinese dragon looks like.
Students will provide answers which teacher records on easel paper. This is
a brainstorming session. No comments or criticism.
3. Class will share understandings of Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks
Like . Older children might enjoy hearing about Hunnic, Mongol and Manchu
invasions as the village in the story is threatened by “Wild Horsemen from
the North.” Difficult vocabulary words such as Mandarin will form
the beginning of a Dragon vocabulary list which can be added
to at each session. Emphasize that every study has its own vocabulary.
4. Teacher may discuss the issue of stereotyping. Do we assume all dragons look
alike and behave in predictable ways? Asking what problems arise because of
stereotyping in the Williams story.
5. Students will select one picture book folktale from the collection and read
during class. As they read, students may revise previous answers recorded on
easel. This is a grazing activity and students should be encouraged to read
as many of these picture books as time allows to expand their knowledge.
6. Assignment: Students will receive the nonfiction readings on Chinese
Dragons and will be required to read at least two. Assignment includes filling
out the handout called “Describing Dragons”
STUDENT ASSIGNMENT
DESCRIBING DRAGONS
PLEASE CHECK OFF THE READINGS YOU COMPLETED (Choose at least 2)
______Spencer, Cornelia. “Birth of the Dragon [Symbol of China]”
in Made In China,
______SanSouci, Robert D. “The Eastern Dragon” in Faces Magazine,
April, 1985. pp. 7-11.
______ McHargue, Georgess. “Dragon Kings of the East,” in The Beasts
of Never,, pp. 19-27.
______ Zhang, Song Nan et al. A Time of Golden Dragons. Ontario: Tundra
Books, 2000
When you have completed the readings fill out as much
of this sheet as possible. Complete sentences are not necessary.
What does the Chinese Dragon look like? (Physical appearance)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Where does the Chinese Dragon Live? (Habitat)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How is a Chinese dragon born, how long does it live? (Life Cycle)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What does the dragon do? (Habits, tasks)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What are the dragon’s likes and dislikes? (Food, friendships, fears)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Interesting but unclassifiable facts about Chinese dragons:
1.
2.
| Part I Intro | | | Lesson One |
| | Lesson Two | | | Lesson Three | | | Lesson Four | | | Part I Bibliography |