Japanese Storytelling for Huntington Third Graders
Japanese storyteller Kuniko Yamamota recently spent two days visiting Huntington School District third graders, providing the youngsters with a mix of storytelling, mime, music and hand-crafted masks.
At Washington Primary School, like its sister schools, students were mesmerized by the combination of story, sound and dazzling and colorful masks. “It was a delightful experience,” librarian Georganne White said. The Washington third graders gathered in the library there for the hour-long program, which was sponsored by the district’s Arts-in-Education program.
In preparation for the visits, Huntington students spent time studying Japan, its culture and customs and society. At Washington, youngsters used computer stations and books for research and managed to learn a great deal in a relatively short amount of time.
Ms. Yamamota combined her storytelling with the art of origami, which fascinated students in every building. They were encouraged to compare American and Japanese tales, arts and cultural elements. The youngsters enjoyed a lively question and answer period at the end of each session.
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