Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Paper Theatre
An overview of a unit that promotes reading and arts integration
Monique Poldberg & Dr. Nancy Andrzejczak
Arts LINC: Arts and Literacy Integrated in Nebraska and California
Lake Elsinore Unified School District
Funded by US Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement
Grant Award #U351D060141
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Background Information: Kamishibai, a Japanese tradition of picture storytelling began
in the late 1920s, with origins going as far back as the 9th or 10th centuries. Almost
disappearing in the 1950s with the advent of television, it is now being used as a way to
bridge cultural barriers and promote storytelling.
English Language Arts
English Language Development
Visual Art Content Strands
Content Strands
Reading comprehension
Artistic Perception
Oral Language Conventions
Creative Expression
Written Language Conventions
Historical and Cultural Context
Listening and Speaking Applications
Aesthetic Valuing
Literary response and Analysis
Learning Objective/Goals/Essential Understandings:
To explore the connections of history, story, storytelling and the arts
To create an original Kamishibai story using art and language arts
conventions
Vocabulary: Kamishibai, Storyboard
Art, Language Arts and content vocabulary
Materials:
Kamishibai Man by Allen Say ( 2005: ISBN: 0618479546)
Familiar fairy tales or other content or literacy support
Paper and Pencil
Graphic Organizer for Storyboard
Poster Board (pre-cut): traditional Kamishibai is 15 x 10.5
Blank writing paper and tape
Art Materials for pictures:
Possibilities: Colored pencils, sharpies, watercolor paint, crayons
Optional: Kamishibai stage and hyoshigi (wooden clappers)
Resources: www.kamishibai.com
(for history & online resources and catalog of Kamishibai supplies)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEId2SFRezY and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6URceEr_zc&feature=mfu_in_order
&list=UL (films by Dr. Jeffrey Dym, Cal State Sacramento about Kamishibai)
Kamishibai
Page 1
Sequence of Lessons
Stimulus
Read aloud Kamishibai Man by Allen Say
Share a Japanese Kamishibai story, using a stage and hyoshigi
Share traditional fairy tales, including different versions of the same tale.
Art Production
Transfer art to the appropriate Kamishibai story card (pre-measure to fit the stage
or frame that you are using.) Encourage varieties of viewpoints and emphasis to
complement parts of the story.
Kamishibai
Page 2