Chapter 1 - Peace Totem Pole
Description
This is an art and writing activity for students as well as collaboration between classrooms in New York City and the ePals community. This project requires scanners. For classrooms and or schools that are not set-up for this process, we will accommodate the teacher, or the class can participate solely in the writing activities.
As traditional totem pole designs have expressive faces, the Peace Totem will be comprised of expressions from individual students. The theme of the work will be based on these questions: who am I, what are my interests, and/or what are my values and beliefs. Students can do these independently, i.e.: choose one of three questions. Students can use paint, cray pas, markers, pencils, crayons, or computer software to design their self-portrait.
The totem design will consist of individual artworks that are digitally assembled by the Peace Diaries staff. The finished Peace Totems will be on the Peace Diaries web site available for viewing as well as for download with instructions on how to construct a totem craft project with the computer generated artwork.
Lesson Plan
Step 1 - Creative Preparation
Words and Sketches.
- Who are we? What are my interests, values or beliefs?
Provide the students with a definition of each of the words: identity, interest, value and beliefs. Have a classroom discussion that creates a "starter" list of words and images so that a student can create a personal list of words and sketches for their painting. The student will use these words and sketches as a reference and guide when painting their final expression of themselves, and as a discussion platform when collaborating with a student from another country.
Step 2 – Painting & Writing
Each student will paint a representation of self that will be scanned and prepared for the Peace Diaries web site. After the artwork is completed the student will be asked to write a paragraph about their artwork and why it represents who they are. This paragraph will be uploaded to the Peace Diaries web site with their portrait.
Step 3 – Scanning
It is preferred that teacher or school technical support, digitally scan student images and upload them to the Peace Diary web site server. For classrooms and or schools that are not set-up for this process, an appropriate solution can be designed to accommodate the teacher.
Peace Totem Project
The Peace Totem project will be available once the student paintings have been completed and images have been uploaded to the Peace Diaries web site. The design of this activity will produce a class Peace Totem. The totem will be available for downloading, to include instructions, and materials list on how to construct an arts and crafts totem pole.
RESOURCE LINKS THAT INSPIRED THIS PROJECT
Creatively Teaching Multicultural Art
http://www.iteachnet.org/~david/oct_30_2000_marvin_bartel_multiculturalart.html
How to make a totem pole
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/na/totempole/
What do totem poles mean?
http://users.imag.net/~sry.jkramer/nativetotems/default.html#Meaning%20of%20Totem%20poles
Peace Diaries
Peace Diaires is a 2002 copyright of Knowledge iTrust, Inc.