The Artist as Activist
How do the arts reflect society and affect change?
How do the arts (writing, music, dance, art, photography, drama, etc.) reflect their society and time and how can they affect change in its citizens or government? 8West students will look at current event issues and in a persuasive way explain how we can make a change. Are there ways kids can make a difference?
Students read Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. They also visited the House of Blues in Boston, learning about African American history, music and art. They learned about current events in issues of the magazine Upfront as well as discussing current event topics in class.
The arts call attention to problems or issues in society. These are the questions you should be asking yourself:
What is the problem?
How can I help?
What change has happened so far?
What can we do in the future?
What are some suggested solutions?
How can kids enact change?
Students read Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. They also visited the House of Blues in Boston, learning about African American history, music and art. They learned about current events in issues of the magazine Upfront as well as discussing current event topics in class.
The arts call attention to problems or issues in society. These are the questions you should be asking yourself:
What is the problem?
How can I help?
What change has happened so far?
What can we do in the future?
What are some suggested solutions?
How can kids enact change?
Research an issue of change
Gale InfoTrac offers 38 different databases focusing on different areas of study. The most popular databases for middle school students are linked below.
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Britannica School Edition is Encyclopædia Britannica online service. It covers the following subjects: Art, Animals, Geography, Religion, Technology, Philosophy, Language Arts, Math, Sports, Science, & Social Studies. Use the search bar above to search any topic in the encyclopedia.
Boston Public Library - free to all who live in Massachusetts - books, eBooks, and audio books. Sign up for a free eCard to download electronic media.
Memorial Hall databasesCheck out the full list of databases you can access with your Memorial Hall library card. Teachers, need a card? Email Miss Menesale for database access.
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Citing Your Sources
Now that your research is done you need to create your persuasive piece of art. Don't forget to cite your sources.
Presenting your Ideas for Change
Use your topic to inspire creativity and passion. This is an individual project. Presenting your area for societal change should be done in a creative way. That could be anything from a song, protest materials, art, drama or play, poem, photo essay, political cartoon, video, podcast, writing legislation, etc.
Look beyond what has already been done. This is not about organizing a walk or raising money for a cause. What are steps you can do to to make more people aware in the world using art?
Your mission is to see yourself as an activist: connect to your world!!
Look beyond what has already been done. This is not about organizing a walk or raising money for a cause. What are steps you can do to to make more people aware in the world using art?
Your mission is to see yourself as an activist: connect to your world!!
Suggested ways to present material:
1. Music: song or musical presentation
2. Writing: poem, legislation, protest material, digital infographic
3. Art: painting, sculpture, political cartoon
4: Drama: play or musical
5. Photography: photo essay, photo journalism
6. Tech: video or PSA (iMovie, Animoto), podcast (GarageBand), interactive poster (Glogster, Smore), Prezi, screencast (ExplainEverything)
1. Music: song or musical presentation
2. Writing: poem, legislation, protest material, digital infographic
3. Art: painting, sculpture, political cartoon
4: Drama: play or musical
5. Photography: photo essay, photo journalism
6. Tech: video or PSA (iMovie, Animoto), podcast (GarageBand), interactive poster (Glogster, Smore), Prezi, screencast (ExplainEverything)