Woven Words

Educator: Shay Steuart, Art Educator 

Cultural Partner: Thea Lanzisero, Interdisciplinary Artist

School: Newfield High School

Grades: 9-12

District: Middle Country Central School District

District NYSED link: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000037601

Summary

• Reflecting on "Colossus” Emma Lazarus poem for the Statue of Liberty students go on a word journey and journaling to think about what the word utopia means to them, as well as the difference between ideas of acceptance and tolerance. What words are empowering to everyone?  
• students were thinking inwardly about who they are in the world and how their words and actions propel into the world. Students reflected their own lived experiences and examined how their inner journey coincides with others around them.

Rationale‍

Shay’s Art Honor Society Students wanted to discuss the harsh language being used towards themselves and others during the school day. More opportunities to be reflective, to think inward, and communicate outward with better awareness of self & others helped the project develop 

What learning goals/standards did this meet?

Arts: Students had the opportunity to think of ways to communicate outward with awareness of how words have an effect on each other   This helped the project develop into a large scale sewn and stuffed sculptural crossword puzzle of empowering words. We talked about how words can hurt even when they are not meant for you - just by being in earshot. We created a list of words of their choosing and from that list they picked ones they each felt strongly about to work with. They worked together to sew, stuff, and paint a finished surface to each letter. Completed words are attached to dowels as a wall hanging crossword puzzle to be exhibited in the hallway for everyone to experience .

CCCR:

Collaboration 

• Civic skills & action - verbal expression of ideas and critically thinking about themselves, their impact and the impact of others
• Civic mindset - reflect on their impact on society, what they contribute, how they impact / weight of their impact

CR-S: 

• Welcoming & Affirming Environment
• Inclusive Curriculum & Assessment

Outcomes

Students’ learning has expanded as a result of this project because now they…

KNOW…  They will know how to make choices about words they use and the impact they can have 

UNDERSTAND…  words have power and their words have an impact on themselves as well as others around them. 

ARE ABLE TO DO… They will learn new creative skills working with mixed media, soft sculpture  and sewing as well as choosing empowering kind words and thinking before speaking  …