VI. Curriculum Design
Please read the article ”Kyoto: The Heart of Japan,” and identify ONE writing feature (e.g. choice of words, descriptive flow or overall organization) that you find effective in demonstrating strong writing skills. Next, design a TWO-period lesson plan in which you guide 11th -grade students at TNGS to learn and apply this feature in their own writing. Your lesson plan should be as clear, detailed and specific as possible. 

     Kyoto, like a beauty in a bright and colorful kimono, delights tourists throughout the year. In spring, romance is in the air as the city is filled with a sea of pink cherry blossoms. In summer, green
leaves can be heard rustling in the wind and seen sparkling in the sunshine. Maple leaves in autumn set the landscape on fire with orange and red colors. Then, when winter comes, white snow turns the whole city into a magic, silver kingdom.

    Apart from its natural splendor, Kyoto has so much more to feast one’s eyes on. Having previously been the capital of Japan for over a thousand years, the city boasts a large number of historic shrines
and temples. No visit to Kyoto would be complete without seeing one of the most photographed landmarks: the Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion Temple in English. With giant, leafy maple trees
leading up to its main entrance, what comes into view is this magnificent three-story pavilion. Rising up behind a crystal-clear pond, it is covered in sparkling gold leaf and crowned with a large bronze
phoenix on its shimmering roof. The reflection of the pavilion on the glassy surface of the pond is a breathtaking sight. Visitors can take a leisurely walk through the surrounding gardens and enjoy
many stunning views of this beautiful structure.

    Another unforgettable Kyoto sight involves coming face to face with one of the old capital’s very special “persons of art,” or geishas. These are women dressed in delicate kimonos with silk sleeves.
Their distinctive white makeup, bright red lipstick, and graceful hairpins also make them easy to recognize. And it’s not just their unique appearance that makes geishas stand out from the crowd.
These highly skilled entertainers spend years mastering different musical instruments, songs, and literature. Of course, no “person of art” could be a true geisha without being able to perform the
traditional kyomai dance. This ancient art combines slow music with very deliberate movements, and often expresses very deep emotion.

     In Kyoto, culture and natural beauty flow together like the graceful motions of kyomai.Regardless of the season, the city is a must-see destination for tourists seeking an authentic local
experience. Those who visit are likely to end up falling in love with the heart of Japan.