Lesson Plan, Activity, Video A Life in Wood

This lesson introduces students to the life and work of George Nakashima, an American craftsman, architect, and artist, through the lens of history, art, and spirituality. Students explore how Nakashima’s experiences, including his education, internment during World War II, and exposure to diverse cultural traditions, deeply shaped his woodworking philosophy and artistic practice. Through film, biography, primary sources, and creative reflection, the lesson invites students to consider the intersection of art, identity, and belief, and to reflect on the difference between craft and art. Extension activities encourage students to express their learning through essays or original artworks