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back
to sound of waves
Teacher
Tips:
One
of the strategies in this lesson involves the use of response groups.
In order to ensure the success of group work, effective classroom
arrangement is critical. Arrange desks so that students can talk and
listen to each other. An overhead transparency or a flip chart should
be prepared which contains a seating diagram. List group members'
names so that students know where to sit and who is in their group.
Be patient, but expect your students to get it right! Select a facilitator
and a recorder for each group. Quickly explain the roles of each.
In the beginning, when you use response groups set a relatively brief
time limit to promote focused discussion. |
Lesson 4
The Sound of Waves:
The
role of Shintoism
( chapter 3 and 4)
Guiding Question: How
has the Japanese reliance on their environment determined the nature of
their religion?
Performance Objectives
Students will be able to:
- identify Shintoism
as the indigenous religion of Japan
- compare and contrast
Shintoism with personal beliefs
- evaluate the importance
of Shintoism in the lives of the people of Utajima in general and Shinji
in particular
Teacher Background
Shintoism
is the indigenous religion of the Japanese. It is animistic and a kind
of nature worship with the belief that kami (supernatural power
of spirit) dwells in both animate and inanimate natural objects such as
wind, sea, and rocks. This spirit is worshipped and appealed to for protection
and favors by those who believe in Shinto. The following are characteristic
of Shintoism: Torii gates, white garments of priests and pilgrims, multiple
"altars" throughout the shrine, strips of white cotton cloth hung for
protection, worshippers heads are bowed, proximity to Buddhist temples,
use of wooden plaques to make requests.
Procedures:
In preparation for
this lesson, teacher may assign a student to go to the library and bring
in some pictures depicting Shinto symbols and style of worship. Show slides
or photos of Shintoism.
Have students record reactions to the following question in their literature
logs.
- What do these
pictures tell you about the nature and practice of Shintoism? What looks
familiar and what looks different?
In an oral discussion
teacher will ask students the following:
- Based on your
reading of the novel, how would you describe the shrine in Utajima?
- What prayer is
made by Shinji to the sea god? (p.25) Ask a volunteer to role play Shinji
petitioning the god.
| Place the following
graphic organizer on the chalkboard. Elicit responses from class.
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Summary/Application
Organize students into response groups. (See Teacher
Tips)
- Religion plays
an important role in the life of Shinji and all the inhabitants of Utajima.
Compare and contrast this with the role that religion plays in the lives
of contemporary American teenagers.
- Using Shinji's
prayer as a model, write a personal plea you might recite that reflects
your life in your community.
To further highlight
this lesson, a video on Shintoism, Shinto, Nature, Gods and Man in Japan,
Peter Greely, 1984, is available from The Japan Society, NY, NY 212-832-1155. |
