New Page 1

Daruma Dolls ~ a symbol of optimism, persistence, and determination are available for purchase from Jun Japanese Gifts or Japanese Museum Store. You can find the story of the Daruma here or by doing a google search for Daruma.

Lynne Harvey - RHES - MRES

This activity combines writing, character counts, goal setting, and an art project all in one!

Students were assigned a "New Year's" prompt - to write a resolution or goal, answering the question: What kind of person do you hope to become in 2006?
The expectation was a four paragraph essay, first stating their character goal and why they felt it was important to work toward that trait. They were to include supporting details incorporating the steps they were planning to take to reach their goal, and how were they going to know when they reached it - how were they going to measure their success? Lastly, a conclusion that summarized their goal and plan.

Additionally, the students were assigned to bring in a rounded, flat rock about the size of an adult hand. The rocks were collected and spray painted red (the traditional color of Darumas) in preparation for the coordinating art project.

After the students completed their essays, an abbreviated explanation (more notes) of what the Durama Doll is used for in Japanese culture was shared with the class. The students then lightly sketched a face on their rock, painted it including large white areas for the eyes, and painted in one eye. The Durama now sits on the corner of the student's desks as a reminder to work toward their goal. It is the hope that each student will be able to paint in the second eye by the end of the school year.

Materials for "rocks":
1 flat rock for each student
Red Spray Paint
White, Black, Flesh tone, & Gold water based acrylic (the kind used for tole painting - available at a craft store in small bottles)
small paint brushes

My room parent sprayed the rocks red first. The red took overnight to dry well. The next day, students painted a white oval on their rock - 2 coats. Then the features were added with the other colors. The acrylic dries in about five minutes so the rocks can be completed in one sitting.