Asian Art Museum Storyteller, Miriam Mills, tells a story that explains why dragons are often depicted holding or chasing round objects covered in flames in Chinese art.

Grade Levels

Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8)
Regions

China
Academic Topics

Folklore & Mythology
Academic Subjects

English & Language Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts

Related Resources

Activity

Make your own Dance Mandala

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)

https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/MEDIA-64156-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/05/MEDIA-64156-1200x900.jpg 2x

Video

Mudras for Hindu Deities

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

7:48

https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/03/Nivy-Gopinath-Sarathy-image_reduced-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/03/Nivy-Gopinath-Sarathy-image_reduced-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Ancient China: Design Your Own Bronze Vessel

If you were to design a bronze vessel for a friend who has done something important for you, what shape would you make it? How would you decorate it? Would you use designs like the ones on the bronze vessels in the museum? What would you inscribe on it?

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)

https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Bronze_Vessel_Rhino-600x450.png 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Bronze_Vessel_Rhino-1200x900.png 2x

Activity

Space Sculpture Inspired by Afruz Amighi’s My House, My Tomb

In this activity, you will create your own “space sculpture” out of found objects, light, and shadow.

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/10/MyHouseMyTomb_600w-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/10/MyHouseMyTomb_600w.jpg 2x

Activity

Elephant Explorers

In the spring of 2020, a herd of wild Asian elephants started migrating north from Southwest China. As of June 2021, the elephants have traveled 500 kilometers, navigating through rural areas and cityscapes toward an unknown destination. Scientists believe this unusual migration was spurred by deforestation, urbanization, and habitat loss.

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)

https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/07/Elephant-5-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/07/Elephant-5-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Fire Wrapped in Paper: Make Your Own Paper Lantern

Create your own paper lantern and retell “The Girl Who Used Her Wits.”

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5)

https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Step-14b-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Step-14b-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Lunar New Year Red Envelopes

GRADE LEVEL: Pre-Kindergarten, Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

Activity

Make Your Own Seal Script Stamp

Make your own seal script stamp and use it to “sign” a decorated postcard.

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

Activity

Odon the Giant - Story Time Draw Along

Students will draw their favorite unlikely, small hero from the Philippine folk tale “Odon the Giant.”

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8)

Activity

Are There Geckos in Your Garden?

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)