STARTALK Student ProgramAt the Huntington Library and Garden, San Marino, CA

Explore the Chinese language, culture and arts through the Garden

of Flowing Fragrance at the Huntington Library and Garden

David WuSouthern California Council of Chinese Schools

Essential Questions to Guide this Program and Focus Teaching/Learning

• What are the historical background, elements, and major features of Su-Zhou gardens?

• What are the major features of Chinese traditional culture, history, cultural practices, cultural products, values, arts and literature, poetry, festivals, customs, and lifestyles?

• What were the professions, culture, and lifestyles of those ancient Chinese who built Su-Zhou gardens?

Instructional Strategies• On-site learning at the Chinese garden• Teacher-student interaction through questions and

discussion• Group work• Presentations• Role playing• Internet research• Multimedia Learning: Audio tape listening, Video

watching• Script writing and play performances• Assessment

• Learn culture through literature, calligraphy, poetry, art, and philosophy of the garden

• Communicate with visitors as docent

• Compare cultural differences with Western gardens versus Chinese classical gardens; palace gardens versus private gardens

• Connect to Chinese architecture and history

• Servicing communities as volunteers

Learning in 5C and 3 modes

Chinese Su-Zhou Garden The Western Garden

Characteristics Irregularity;Presenting different scenes

in a compact area

Regularity;symmetry shape

Themes 1. Created balance and harmony in composition

2. Integrated with poem, calligraphy, painting, literature, spirit, and Chinese philosophy

1. Scenes and sceneries

2. Spectacle3. Beauty and

pleasure4. Rich contents

Design concept

1. Expressiveness of literature to give deeper meaning to the landscape

2. to lead a tranquil life without worldly desires

Beauty of spectacle and pleasant contents.

A Comparison of Western and Chinese Gardens

Authentic materials can be found in the entrance, bridges, pavilions, windows, covered walkways, as well as places from which to view the landscape.

The Freshwater Pavilion – The entrance of tea shop is decorated with a poetic couplet

Camellias are carved into the wood of structures of the Hall of Jade Camellia

The traditional elements of Chinese garden design in full view from all windows

The Love for the Lotus Pavilion contains unique architectural choices

Craftsmen Carved wood by hands at the

garden

No nails are used in Chinese architecture, which instead employ wooden latches.

The shape of the wall’s top symbols a dragon’s back

Round shapes in the Terrace of Jade Mirror represent perspective and richness

The Pavilion of the Three Friends, with pines, bamboo, and plums around the pavilion to symbolize that friendship can stand in hardship (cold weather).

The Jade Ribbon Bridge symbolizesrichness and wealth

Water and rocks create harmony

A 500 ton rock, shipped from China’s Lake Tai, in the shape of a dragon, stands on the lake shore

Present their knowledge as docents