I know on Monday, I said that you would start writing your own TED Talk speeches today... well, APRIL FOOLS! We aren't going to be starting those today. Since the school closure has been extended to April 24, I've been thinking about a lot about how I want to structure that assignment, and right now, it's not something that I want to start before we go on a pause for Spring Break next week. I'm going to rework the assignment over the break and we'll start it the week that we get back from Spring Break.
What do I need to do today (April 1)?
- Read the assignment below this highlighted list - yes, the whole thing.
- Think about the stereotype you will address in your project and what your artifact will be and begin working on it.
- Say "Hello" on Flipgrid
- 3rd Period: https://flipgrid.com/6af647b7
- 4th Period: https://flipgrid.com/da02059b
- 7th Period: https://flipgrid.com/fdc29f14
- You can record a Flipgrid on your phone or any device with a camera.
- When you go to the link for your class, Flipgrid will ask you for your studentID, it *should* be the number you use to log into the computers at school. If you are unable to log in, please check that you have clicked the correct link for your class period. Let me know if you have trouble accessing your account.
- Remember, this is a school assignment - if you post anything that is NOT school appropriate, I will refer you to administration. You WILL face consequences.
“The enemy is someone
whose story you haven’t heard.” - Awareness through Art Assignment Instructions
In many of the TED Talks and the readings that we've looked at throughout the semester, we have learned about the dangers that can come with stereotyping others. We've learned about individuals who have had their stories erased and entire communities of people who have their lives destroyed all because of stereotypes, a "single story" that was told about them.
Our TED Talk speakers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Dr. Jedidah Isla, and Titus Kaphar all faced stereotypes that they had to overcome in order to achieve their current levels of success; Elie Wiesel faced stereotypes that not only tore apart his family but also resulted in the systematic killing of nearly 6 million people. Even in Julius Caesar, we saw the stereotypes of the "ambitious leader" and the "honorable man" that clashed together and ended in tragedy.
Just like the TED Talk speakers, Wiesel, and the characters in Julius Caesar, all of us have, at one point or another, been stereotyped. We all know what it feels like when people make assumptions about who we are or where we came from based on one single part of our identity. This project is your opportunity to create an artifact that fights back against those stereotypes by building a genuine sense of connection with your audience. What you choose to create is up to you. There are ideas listed below, but you are free to venture out and try something else if you would like.
Your project will consist of two pieces:
Part I: The Artifact
As mentioned above, your artifact can be any work of art that conveys more about who you are in order to build a sense of connection with your audience and fight back against the stereotypes that have been placed against you at some point in time. Below are some ideas of different mediums you can use. Keep in mind that you will have to submit your artifact digitally.
- Podcast
- Short film
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Photograph
- Performance of an original poem, song, or dance
- Interview (video or audio recording)
- Scrapbook
- Collage
Part II: Presentation + Reflection
After you have made your artifact, you will present your artifact on Flipgrid. In a brief video, between 2-3 minutes, you will present your artifact and explain your thought process behind it.
Use the following questions to guide your reflection:
- What is your artifact? Show it on camera or play a few seconds of it if it is a recording.
- What are you trying to convey through your artifact?
- How does your artifact allow others to identify with or understand you more deeply?
- What kind of people are you hoping to reach?
- Why did you choose your medium?
- Do you think you might share your artifact with a wider audience than just this class?
- If so, how? If not, why not?
Your project is due this Sunday, April 5 by 11:59 PM. I know that giving you a weekend deadline is unusual, but I want to give you enough time to think about the assignment seriously and creatively while not making it something that's hanging over your head during the week of Spring Break. If you need to take more time to think about your project or work on it, that is also okay, but please check in with me by Sunday night.
On Friday's blog post, I will have the instructions for how to turn in your project, so be sure to think about HOW you will submit your artifact digitally; Friday's post will also have a link to the Flipgrid video thread where you will be posting your presentation and reflection.
As always, I am here to answer any questions you have via email (amanda.egbert@cobbk12.org) and through Remind. Be THOUGHTFUL, be THOROUGH, and most importantly, have fun with this! 😊
