Educator: Jennifer Grasso-Moise, Studio Art
Cultural Partner: Paul Rodriquez, Author and Illustrator
School: East Middle School, Grades 6-8
District: Brentwood UFSD
https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000037066
Summary
Eighth-grade students took a deep dive into questions of identity, society and community through a creative project titled "Who RU?" encouraging students to explore both their internal dialogue and the importance of community support.
The project unfolded in three powerful parts:
- A guest artist visited the classroom to support the educators outline of the project concepts and demo the process of researching and gathering images and objects to include in their backpacks. The dialog of this component of the project also included supporting, encouraging, and taking pride in the value of personal history and heritage. To further personalize their work, students created QR codes linking to audio recordings where they explained the significance of the items inside their backpacks.
- Each student hand crafted a clear vinyl backpack and filled them with meaningful artifacts - awards, family photos, childhood toys, mementos, everyday must haves, etc., to showcase their personality, heritage, interests.
- Students reflected on societal pressures, personal growth and resilience by collaging and writing affirmations and insecurities onto a large hanging umbrella installation.
Exit surveys revealed the project's lasting impact. Students shared that the experience helped them "open up creatively," "be more proud of who [they] are," and "appreciate how far [they] have come." Many reflected on the importance of family, perseverance, and embracing vulnerability, describing the project as "a mirror" for self-awareness and growth.
Rationale
The rationale for this project is rooted in fostering creativity, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of self. 8th grade studio art students are in the course by recommendation for a high school credit. We meet every day for the full year, so I thought this project could offer students a unique opportunity to build on a multitude of skills, both within the classroom and beyond. One of the primary issues this project addresses is keeping students engaged and motivated, especially given the advanced rigor of the course and the potential for burnout or disconnection due to the overwhelming demands in their other academic classes as well as just the nature of them being teenagers. Although many of these students are artistically talented, my goal is to provide them with challenges that will inspire personal as well as creative growth. Providing them with opportunities to explore their potential in ways that connect to the real world as well as their inner selves.
The project will also address the need for students to recognize and celebrate their individuality while fostering a sense of community. With a diverse group of students, it is essential for me as their educator to create an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued for their unique talents and perspectives. This can be especially important during these transitional years of middle school, where students are developing their identities and social relationships.
Through the lens of art, this project aims to help students feel more comfortable in their own skin, promoting positive self-esteem and a sense of belonging. By encouraging reflection on their personal experiences and creative expressions. The students will learn to appreciate not only their own uniqueness but also the shared bonds that connect them to one another. Ultimately, the project seeks to create an atmosphere of togetherness, fostering growth both in terms of artistic skill and social-emotional well-being.
What learning goals/standards did this meet?
Arts:
Students explored the value of their past and current identity by creating individualized backpacks exploring their journey from childhood to the communities they are a part of today with objects from various parts of their life journeys.
CCCR:
To build on a student's civic mindset and engagement; individual and community identity so that they can better work and grow collaboratively throughout college, their careers, and as citizens.
CR-S:
Connecting Welcoming and Affirming Environment by developing an understanding that leads to appreciation of individual and shared identity within communities and cultures. Student are the
co-designers of this curriculum setting the tone for inclusive instruction.
Outcomes:
Students’ learning has expanded as a result of this project because now they…
KNOW… How to articulate who they are and their contribution to the world around them.
UNDERSTAND... how art and the world can connect to help students discover their individual and community identities.
ARE ABLE TO DO.... express their voice as an individual and community members through visual and language arts, and use their voices to lead peers by example.
