Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yang Xiang (Yō Kō), from the series A Child’s Mirror of the Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety (Nijūshi kō dōji kagami), c. 1843, Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper, 8 5/8” x 13 7/8 in. Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection
Admit it, we got your attention, right? Isn’t this print mesmerizing? It was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, a Japanese artist who specialized in illustrations of warriors, dreams, and mythic tales.
What’s going on in it? What’s will happen next? While nature’s chaotic forces are evoked by the rustling leaves and water rushing through the scene, that huge tiger up in the tree sure looks hangry! If the courageous boy uses all his might, will be able to hold off this enormous beast and save his father and himself? How will the story turn out?
Made over 150 years ago, this woodblock print still feels incredibly alive with drama, action, and suspense. That’s why Boulevard incorporated it into one of seven augmented reality activities we created for Edmentum’s English 9 course. We figured the print’s stylized, energetic expression might even remind some students of today’s graphic novels or anime.
There’s no reason English courses have to be taught solely through written texts (though written texts can be used in an augmented reality experience. Check out our poetry activity!). Working with Edmentum’s instructional designers to make sure each of our activities would be completely aligned to their English Language Arts curriculum standards, our Boulevard education team developed multiple, innovative ways to leverage interdisciplinary AR engagement and drive home key concepts for English 9A and 9B, while at the same time supporting student choice and prompting personal connection and reflection.
This particular English 9 course activity, involving three very different artworks, centers on analyzing elements of plot, setting, tone, symbolism, point of view (similar to the way in which one might study three written texts, but also very differently obviously). Imagine getting to explore these five literary devices through works of art you’ve placed in your own space, and being asked to share your responses with your teacher on a cork board that only exists in AR. That’s what Edmentum English 9 students can do with the Boulevard x ED app!