PURSUIT OF CHANGE: PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL VALUES
Grade 9 - 12

This unit explores how tradition has mixed with popular culture in the pursuit of the preservation of cultural values. Students will get acquainted with three ceremonies existing in some Asian societies. The first lesson uses pictures and readings to compare the marriage ceremonies of different cultures. The second and third lessons present the tea and the henna ceremonies respectively by engaging the students in hands-on activities. This unit offers lesson plans, handouts, pictures, questions, and a host of other materials.

Judith Zampella
Susan E. Wagner High School

LESSON 1: MARRIAGE CEREMONIES
By comparing the marriage ceremony in different cultures, students will explore the ways in which traditional cultural values are preserved in changing societies. The lesson uses a multitude of pictures and several handouts.
Lesson Plan | Pictures | Handouts

LESSON 2: THE TEA CEREMONY
This lesson acquaints students with the Japanese Tea Ceremony and the settings in which tea ceremonies occur. The students are asked to understand the principles underlying a tea ceremony and to participate in a tea ceremony themselves. A lesson plan, a detailed explanation of a tea ceremony procedure, handouts, and pictures are supplied.
Please note that Procedure is a "Word Document".
Lesson Plan | Procedure | Pictures | Handouts

LESSON 3: HENNA CEREMONY
This lesson explains to students how different cultures use body art to identify themselves. Students participate in a Henna ceremony and learn to appreciate other cultural practices. The lesson plan includes a recipe for preparing the henna and an explanation of it is applied to the skin. The lesson also includes pictures and handouts.

Please note that Charts and Handouts are "Word Documents".
Lesson Plan | Permisson Slip | Pictures