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National Museum of Asian Art

National Museum of Asian Art
Smithsonian Staff

The National Museum of Asian Art was founded as a forum for cultural exchange where the arts of Asia and the United States could speak to one another and to the public. For the past one hundred years, we have built an institution of excellence and expertise by caring for one of the world’s most important collections of Asian art, organizing dozens of influential exhibitions, and leading the fields of Asian art history, conservation, and conservation science. In our second century, we are building on our strengths to become a national and global resource for understanding Asian arts, cultures, and societies and their intersection with the United States. We will work with global partners to protect cultural heritage, and we will spark dialogue, explore nuance and context, and nourish global citizens. Explore Education resource highlights for PreK-12, teacher, and family audiences.

National Museum of Asian Art's collections

 

Dragons and Clouds: Japanese language immersion activity and resources

<p><br>This slow-looking activity is designed for Japanese immersion students, featuring artworks from the Edo period (1603–1868). The website "Investigating Japan's Edo Avant Garde" highlights works from the National Asian Art Museum to explore the innovative creativity of Edo artists.  <a href="https://investigatingedo.asia.si.edu/lesson-plans/">https://investigatingedo.asia....</a>    国立アジア美術館所蔵作品「Investigating Japan's Edo Avant Garde」から、日本語イマ―ジョンのアクティビティを紹介します。俵屋宗達(たわらや そうたつ)は17世紀初期に活躍した江戸時代 (1603–1868) を代表する絵師です。宗達は、革新的な画法を創造することで、自然界や人々を描写し、芸術に命を吹き込みました。 </p> <p></p>
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The Story and Teachings of the Buddha

<p>Who was Siddhartha Gautama and how did he become the Buddha?  What are the beliefs of Buddhism?  How do you identify a Buddha in art?  This Learning Lab Collection was developed to support DC Public School's learning goals for Unit Guide 7.3 Ancient India.  Students will be able to answer these questions after they examine the informational text and describe a work of art with a Project Zero Thinking Routine and a close-looking group activity.</p> <p>Tags:  Buddhism; DCPS; DC Public Schools; elements of portrayal; See-Think-Wonder; Siddhartha Gautama</p>
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Emergence of Civilization in China: Oracle Bones

<p>In this student activity, students learn about life in early Chinese urban society by analyzing oracle bone divinations. These divinations, consisting of characters inscribed on turtle shells and animal bones over 3,000 years ago, are among the earliest systematic Chinese written language extant today. Students will answer object analysis questions, complete an activity using translations of divinations, and compare early Chinese urban society to Bronze Age societies in other parts of the world. This set includes multiple objects from the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.</p> <p>Created by Elizabeth Eder and Keith Wilson at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in collaboration with Tess Porter, Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access. </p> <p>Tags: #AsiaTeachers; archaeology; ancestor worship; document based questions; shang dynasty; diviner; early writing; early civilization; ritual; artifact; archaeological remains; artifact analysis; Freer; primary sources; National Museum of Asian Art</p> <p><em>#historicalthinking</em></p> <p></p>
National Museum of Asian Art
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Zoomorphic Creatures in Ancient Chinese Art

<p>What can we learn about ancient China by studying artifacts?  What does the intricate detail of works of art suggest about values and beliefs in ancient China?  In this Learning Lab Collection, students will study ancient Chinese works of art via Project Zero Thinking Routines.  Working in groups, students will be assigned to either research ancient Chinese bronze bells or ancient Chinese bronze vessels and make inferences about ancient Chinese values and beliefs based on their research.  Then, inspired by <em>taotie</em>, mask-like design patterns of ancient Chinese bronze objects, students will etch their own zoomorphic creatures into metal foil.</p> <p>This Learning Lab Collection contains a lesson plan, images to research, Thinking Routines, design worksheet, and sample final artwork.  Download the pdf Lesson Plan located in the "Teacher Materials and Lesson Plan" section first for instructions and art materials needed.</p> <p>Tags:  #AsiaTeachers; metalwork; etch; repoussé; vessels; bells; Freer; ritual; Shang; Zhou; dynasty; China; composite animals</p>
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Eat and Celebrate Virtual Field Trip Resources

<p>Thank you for reserving an <em>Eat and Celebrate</em>  virtual field trip with the National Museum of Asian Art. Please review the materials on this website for logistics information. Complete a pre-visit lesson (review the PowerPoint and complete one object observation practice lesson) to prepare your students for close-looking at the works of art they may see on the virtual field trip. The pre-visit lesson takes about 20 minutes to complete. Once back in the classroom, complete a post-visit activity, which takes about 20 minutes to complete. Resources for additional research are also included.</p>
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Ancient Civilizations On-site Field Trip Resources

<p>Thank you for reserving an on-site <em>Ancient Civilizations </em>field trip with the National Museum of Asian Art. Please review the materials on this website for logistics and visiting information. Complete a pre-visit lesson (review the PowerPoint and complete one object observation practice lesson) to prepare your students for close-looking at the works of art they may see on the field trip. The pre-visit lesson takes about 20 minutes to complete. Once back in the classroom, complete a post-visit activity, which takes about 20 minutes to complete. Resources for additional research are also included.</p>
National Museum of Asian Art
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Art & Me: Celebrating Ceramics

<p>This Learning Lab Collection shares artworks and learning materials from a hands-on, art preservation workshop. We encourage you to extend your learning and participate in activities in your free time. </p> <p>About this program:</p> <p></p> <p>Something old, something new! Learn about ceramics in the Smithsonian’s collections that were made today and those made by past generations during this virtual family workshop. Explore how conservators care for ceramics from across the globe. Then create your own ceramic masterpiece and learn about ways to protect it.  <br></p> <p></p> <p>This hands-on, art-making preservation workshop is designed for children ages three to eight and their caretakers. The program is cohosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. </p> <p> <br></p> <p></p>
National Museum of Asian Art
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How can family celebration traditions be the same and different?

<p>This Learning Lab collection contains a month-long unit planning guide and associated resources to answer the compelling question, <em>How can family celebration traditions be the same and different?</em></p> <p>To support this overarching question, the unit guides students through activities that answer the following questions:</p> <ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">What are my family celebrations and around where I live?</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">What do other family celebrations look like around America?</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">What do other family celebrations look like around the world?</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">How are family celebration traditions different?</p></li></ol> <div>The unit was developed using the Inquiry Design Model by the National Council for Social Studies. This Learning Lab collection is designed to address the following Nebraska state standards for social studies for Kindergarten and 1st grade:</div> <p></p> <p><strong><u>Kindergarten </u></strong></p> <p>(SS K.4.2.) Recognize different perspectives of events.</p> <p>(SS K.4.2.a.) Compare perspectives of self and others. For example: events that occurred on the playground.</p> <p><u>1st Grade</u></p> <p>(SS 1.4.2.) Identify multiple perspectives of diverse family traditions.</p> <p>(SS 1.4.2.a.) Compare and contrast family traditions across cultures. For example: holidays, celebrations, milestones.<strong><br><br></strong></p> <p><strong>Project Background</strong></p> <p>This Collection was created through the collaboration between PreK-12 Nebraska teachers and Smithsonian museum educators focuses on the following educational strategies: multicultural education, inquiry-based approaches such as the C3 IDM model, civics education, and socio-emotional learning.<br></p> <p>These modules will be piloted in Fall 2022 and then published via the Smithsonian Learning Lab, and the Nebraska OER HUB, to ensure state-wide and national access to these teaching resources.</p> <p>This collaboration between the Nebraska Department of Education and the Smithsonian Institution will leverage the breadth of content and education expertise that exist among the 21 museums at the Smithsonian with the expertise of Nebraska's educators and administrators.</p> <p></p> <table><tr><td><strong>For more information on these modules and tips on using them in classrooms, see the module “<a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/collections/user-s-guide-to-the-nebraska-multicultural-education-initiative-modules/qFjn4fQeCNmgyxAL">User's Guide to the Nebraska Multicultural Education Initiative Modules</a>”</strong></td></tr></table> <p><br>This Learning Lab Collection was designed by:</p> <p></p> <p>Dustin Carlson <br>Rockbrook Elementary School, Westside Community Schools </p> <p>Erica Croft <br>Morrill Elementary School, Morrill Public Schools</p> <p>Jamie Messersmith<br>Brady Public Schools, Brady, NE</p> <p>Roberta Gasbarre <br>OUSE/Discovery Theater</p> <p>Jennifer Reifsteck<br>National Museum of Asian Art</p>
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Art & Me: Bugging Out

<p>This Learning Lab Collection shares artworks and learning materials from a hands-on, art preservation workshop. We encourage you to extend your learning and participate in activities in your free time. </p> <p></p> <p>About this program: <br></p> <p></p> <p>Moths, beetles, termites, oh my! Learn how bugs can be used to make artwork by looking at examples in the Smithsonian’s collections in this virtual family workshop. Discover the ways conservators prevent bugs from munching on precious works of art. Then identify different types of bugs as you paint your own creepy crawlers. </p> <p>This hands-on, art-making preservation workshop is designed for children ages three to eight and their caretakers. The program is cohosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. </p> <p> <br></p> <p></p>
National Museum of Asian Art
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Art & Me: Cold Treatment

<p>This Learning Lab Collection shares artworks and learning materials from a hands-on, art preservation workshop. We encourage you to extend your learning and participate in activities in your free time. </p> <p></p> <p>About this program: <br></p> <p>Brrr! Don’t give your artwork the cold shoulder. Join the Smithsonian’s team of art conservators for a virtual workshop to learn about how temperature affects artworks. From stone sculptures to photographs, discover how Smithsonian conservators preserve and protect these artworks from the elements. Then create your own sculpture and see what happens to it when it freezes. <br> <br>This hands-on, art-making preservation workshop is designed for children ages three to eight and their caretakers. The program is cohosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. <br></p>
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Art & Me: Bundle Up

<p>This Learning Lab Collection shares artworks and learning materials from a hands-on, art preservation workshop. We encourage you to extend your learning and participate in activities in your free time. </p> <p></p> <p>About this program: </p> <p></p> <p>Art & Me: Bundle Up</p> <p>As temperatures drop outside, bundle up and join the Smithsonian’s team of art conservators for a virtual workshop to learn about textiles. Grab your favorite blanket as we explore artworks that keep us warm and see how conservators preserve and protect these textiles. Then make your own cozy creations and discover how to store them safely all winter long. <br> <br>This hands-on, art-making preservation workshop is designed for children ages three to eight and their caretakers. The program is cohosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. </p> <p></p>
National Museum of Asian Art
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Celebrating Mother's Day

<p>In Celebration of Mother's Day weekend, Freer and Sackler is moving family programs online so you can continue to find pockets of joy and connection to people and places outside your home.</p> <p>We have some project suggestions that should bring a smile to your kids’ face and encourage family bonding:<br /></p> <ol><li><strong>Strike a Pose: </strong>Imitate the pose of your favorite artwork featuring an inspirational female figure. (Don't worry too much about getting every detail right. Be creative and use materials you can find at home!)</li><li><strong>Look and Draw: </strong>Alternatively, you could sketch your favorite artwork. </li></ol><p><strong></strong></p> <p>We’d love to see what you make! Tag us using #FreerSackler or @FreerSackler on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreerSackler/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/freersackler/">Instagram</a>, or <a href="https://twitter.com/FreerSackler">Twitter</a>. </p> <p><br /></p>
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