Submitted by: Karen West from Westfield Massachusetts.

Objectives:

What You Need:

• 12x18 white paper
• watercolors
• paintbrushes
• fans or pictures of fans
• popsicle sticks
• tape

What You Do:

1. Discuss uses of fans such as functional use and artistic use.

2. Fold paper in half horizontally or as I tell the students like a book.

3. You may want to first make a template if doing this with younger students.On the folded side draw half of a fan shape (like a rainbow) and cut. The piece will resemble a rainbow shape.

4. Lightly draw a piece from nature. My students drew leaning trees with branches and leaves.

5. Using watercolor, make bold brush strokes and I emphasized using a quick brush stroke to fill in leaves. Use several colors or paint with the seasons.Let dry.

6. Fold the paper back and forth, creasing each time.Gather the paper together to form the fan and staple or glue.

7. Tape to popsicle sticks together to form a handle.

8. Display it and enjoy the lesson!

Resources

Kid's Window: Japan
http://www.jwindow.net/KIDS
Here kids can learn about the culture of Japan.

Kids Web: Japan
http://www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/index.html
Wow! Talk about fun for kids and its all about learning about Japanese culture.