Operation Reading Corner

The art and design course at Jinhua Junior High School, known as the Kang-Ching-Lung Streets Project, was developed collaboratively by all the art teachers. To gain a deeper understanding of their surroundings, the teachers and students left the classroom, planned exploration routes, and conducted field studies in the neighborhood around the campus.

As they wandered the streets, observing and recording various architectures from different eras, they were impressed by their findings: a rich diversity of styles, forms, and textures in the buildings. Back at school, they discussed the suitability of the materials used and explored potential replacements for the buildings. By slowing down and paying more attention to the details on their way to school, the students were amazed at how much they had previously overlooked.

“Aesthetics should spread naturally like particles in the air.” The art classroom at National Hsinchu Senior High School was the perfect place for teachers and students to immerse themselves in art and design. Mrs. Wu envisioned this space as a hub to stimulate the diffusion of art and design throughout the school.

Inspired by this idea, a group of students began exploring the campus to identify areas for improvement. They identified issues such as the unsuitable fabrics and cuts of their uniforms and the confusing signs in the store. Bringing their findings back to the art classroom, the students brainstormed solutions. They then set out to implement changes, aiming to spread aesthetic appreciation beyond the classroom to other parts of the school.

An elder from the tribe was invited to give a lecture in Mr. Liu’s class. He spoke about the young and old generations in the tribe and sadly noted a cultural gap between them. To help bridge this gap and revive tribal traditions, Mr. Liu decided to teach the students how to make tree bark clothes. This lesson aimed to deepen their understanding of their own culture.

The students learned about the different types of trees and why people made clothes from tree bark in the past. They experienced firsthand how to soften tree bark and used local materials and techniques to create items that meet contemporary needs. The lesson highlighted the tribal lifestyle and showcased the ancestors’ wisdom in utilizing natural materials for everyday life. It also encouraged the students to continue exploring new possibilities within traditional craftsmanship to pass on their aboriginal culture.

The art and design course at Yu-Shan Public Junior High School evolved from the school’s curriculum, which included climbing Mt. Jade, Taiwan’s highest mountain, on various routes corresponding to different grades. Mr. Chang aimed to foster aesthetic sensibility in the students through these life experiences. To achieve this goal, he encouraged the students to design a board game inspired by their mountain journeys.

With enthusiastic participation and strong teamwork, the students effectively applied design principles and successfully created their own imaginative and unique board games.