JAPANESE NOTAN – Positive/Negative Shapes

Students will be able to:

• create a Japanese Notan design representing coniferous and deciduous trees;
• identify positive and negative shapes;
• use black and white construction paper to create contrast;
• demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity;
• support their ideas with evidence found in their Notan design.

Have students:

• create textured paper using Crayola finger paint on 15 cm x 15 cm (6" x 6") pieces of finger painting paper; 
• use their finger paint design to create a more complex Notan design with more cuts or designs than they made on their first Notan;
• use a T-Chart to compare their first Notan design with their second one;
• share their ideas with a partner.

1. Download  images of coniferous and deciduous trees from the Internet, for example,
   Tree Types
   Coniferous
2. Download the Shape poster available on this website.
3. Prior to this lesson introduce or review positive/negative shapes and light/dark designs.
4. Gather and make available books such as, Notan:The Dark-Light Principle of Design, by Dora Bothwell and Marlys Mayfield; Black and White, by Tana Hoban; and Black on White, by Tana Hoban.  
5. Cut black construction paper 16 cm x 16 cm (5.5" x 5.5") enough for each student.
6. Cut white construction paper 27 cm x 27 cm (11" x 11") for each Notan design.
7. Cut drawing paper for tracers, 4 cm x 9 cm (2" x 3.5") and % cm x 5 cm (2.5" x 2.5").

1. Share a book such as Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids, by Gail Gibbons to review the variety of trees.
2. View images of coniferous and deciduous trees and use a T-chart to list the characteristics of the two types of tree.
3. Sketch the basic shapes of the two types of tree to model sketching for your students.
4. Share a book such as Black and White, by Tana Hoban to discuss the designs. Use the terms positive and negative shape, light and dark.
5. Place the edge of a small rectangular mirror along the edge of one of your sketches to show the mirror image.
6. Introduce the challenge.

1. Once all the Notan designs are complete display them together for a group discussion. 
2. Ask students to:
   - Look closely at the different Notan designs.
   - Choose one that you like and be ready to tell why.
   - Share your thoughts about the work. 
   - Look for different objects in the design and share what you find with the class.
3. During the discussion encourage students to include references to positive/negative shapes and light/dark relationships.

1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
2. Observe students as they discuss the designs – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, points to areas in the Notan design, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
3. Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
4. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads – Notan_tracking.pdf)  
5. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads – Notan_self-assessment.pdf)