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Transforming Language: Xu Bing’s Monkeys Grasp the Moon
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Students learn a traditional Chinese folktale and examine a contemporary artwork that’s based on it. The work, Xu Bing’s Monkeys Grasp for the Moon, is an installation made up of the word monkey in more than a dozen languages. Students create their own word-based works.

This set of four lessons is divided into grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12. Younger students arrange cut-out letters into a picture. Older students create an animation.

Transforming Language: Xu Bing’s Monkeys Grasp the Moon Download Lesson and Materials for grades K–2
(ZIP file, 6 Mb)

Download Lesson and Materials for grades 3–5
(ZIP file, 6 Mb)

Download Lesson and Materials for grades 6–8
(ZIP file, 6 Mb)

Download Lesson and Materials for grades 9–12
(ZIP file, 6 Mb)

These lessons are produced by the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies. Teachers may duplicate the materials for educational purposes.

Development of this lesson plan was sponsored by Target.

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