Projects

The Story of R.A.P.

This project explores the connection between storytelling, poetry, and Hip-Hop. Students explore how their own identities inform the way they experience the world while learning about the experiences of those with different identities. Students then investigate the origins and evolution of storytelling and determine the significance of storytelling on the history of humankind. Once a foundational understanding is built on both identity and storytelling, students then begin diving into the world of poetry and language. By understand how language works and how to manipulate it, students can not only become stronger writers but also add to their toolbox of writing skills to tell their own stories in a more meaningful and authentic way. Finally, students learn about the origins of Hip-Hop as a cultural movement originating in the Bronx in the mid-1970s. By studying the central components of Hip-Hop and analyzing the social and historical conditions of the movement along with listening to Hip-Hop music to gain further insight into the rich catalog of themes and messages within the music, students learn that R.A.P. is Rhythm And Poetry. The project culminates in students creating their own 100% original poems and songs that give them a chance to authentically share their own stories and have autonomy in how they want others to remember them in ways that feel right and comfortable to them.

Essential Questions:

Whose stories are worth sharing?

What are poetry and music for?

Who is a poet/artist?

OUCH! A First Aid Project

This project had students applying their knowledge and skills of first aid in a meaningful way! Students had the opportunity to research the most common injuries for their age group and spent time exploring how body systems work and how they are connected. Then students spent time interviewing real medical professionals and learned more about the importance of having knowledge of first aid and how the body works. They also chose a common injury and had to look for reliable sources online to learn how to properly treat such injuries correctly. Students also collaborated with Rady's Children Hospital to learn about the importance of safety when participating in high-risk activities such as sports or skateboarding. They also partnered with the Jewish Family Center and the Los Angeles Christian Health Center to raise money and make hygiene kits to distribute to houseless individuals. This project aimed to show students how their learning is important for very real world situations and how knowledge can empower individuals of any age.

Essential Questions:

Can a 6th grade student save a life?

How does knowledge empower the individual?

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Future Project: In a Galaxy Not So Far Away...

For a future project, I really want to plan a project that connects the Star Wars movies and social commentary. Over the years as a lifelong fan of these movies, I have learned that they are full of social commentary that is rich with content for deeper learning. Students would be able to learn about what social commentary is and why critique can be such a powerful tool in building a more equal and equitable world. Students can also learn about Shakespeare and his plays and the ways in which he comments on the society of his time to look for connections between the two examples. Once students have built a foundational schema of knowledge, they would begin creating their own versions of social commentary by making zines or mini-movies. For exhibition, I am thinking we can try to reserve a spot in a movie theater to play all of our mini-movies and display our zines and have visitors vote on which product was the most impactful for them and why. Students can sell copies of their zines to raise money for a community partner that works to correct some of the issues that we, as a class, collectively want to support. Overall, this project would aim to teach students important literacy skills such as text analysis, determining the main/supporting details of a text, working with a variety of texts, as well as reading and re-interpreting classic literature such as Shakespeare and other significant thinkers/philosophers. This project is also designed to be a way of including the variety of experiences that are present in the classroom by asking students to think about and meaningfully address issues they see as problematic and present in their communities.

Possible Essential Questions:

What role do individuals have in society?

How do systems of power contribute to (in)equality?

Why is it important to be a critical thinker?