The Teachers Guild
Cancel
Phase: Ideate Missions: Student-Owned

Leading Through Art-- Student as Change-Maker

Empowering students to use art as a catalyst for change.

Photo of Jason Blair
6 3

Written by

Here is an artist statement from two students. Their artwork focused on the categories we are all placed in. These two artists understand the impact of these categories and recognize there power and purpose. This is such a powerful piece, as it demonstrates their understanding of the power to acknowledge our systemic categorization and our need to overcome. Before we can lift others, we must lift ourselves. Here is an artist statement from two students. Their artwork focused on the categories we are all placed in. These two artists understand the impact of these categories and recognize there power and purpose. This is such a powerful piece, as it demonstrates their understanding of the power to acknowledge our systemic categorization and our need to overcome. Before we can lift others, we must lift ourselves.
The artwork that accompanies the artist statement above. The artwork that accompanies the artist statement above.
Another view of the artwork. The students were able to demonstrate abstract thinking, while developing their creative minds as well. Another view of the artwork. The students were able to demonstrate abstract thinking, while developing their creative minds as well.
This is the artist statement from two boys. Research shows how young boys can often become marginalized and identified as "behavioral issues" in the school setting. Here, the two boys are addressing this very theme. A powerful statement about the treatment of boys in school settings. How about instead of viewing boys as potential "behavioral issues," we view them as active learners with creative minds that need exercised? This is the artist statement from two boys. Research shows how young boys can often become marginalized and identified as "behavioral issues" in the school setting. Here, the two boys are addressing this very theme. A powerful statement about the treatment of boys in school settings. How about instead of viewing boys as potential "behavioral issues," we view them as active learners with creative minds that need exercised?
A detail of the artwork that accompanies the above artist statement. A detail of the artwork that accompanies the above artist statement.
This image shows the entire artwork. Notice it is an interactive piece. Again, underscoring the notion of active learners with creative minds that need exercising. How many young boys have their creative muscles atrophy because their ideas and learning style are viewed as non-compliant? This image shows the entire artwork. Notice it is an interactive piece. Again, underscoring the notion of active learners with creative minds that need exercising. How many young boys have their creative muscles atrophy because their ideas and learning style are viewed as non-compliant?

*update

Here is a link to a google doc. of my thinking.  I have examples and a more information on scaling this project. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YXKgTtkWZJjCZIXbCCjLIYr1sksE7Ca44AzVnsE0zRo/edit?usp=sharing

Here is a link to the Pitch Video.

https://youtu.be/pPcQrPBrf2g

Here is a link to a video about the purpose of art as a driving force behind this project.

https://youtu.be/Q2niS82dBQs

The purpose of this lesson was for students to think about the power of their voice.  I began the lesson by writing the statement, "Kids have nothing important to say!"  The point of this statement was to get the students to create from a place of passion and not compliance.  We looked at several examples of artists who use their art as a catalyst for change.  Over the course of several weeks, we engaged in activities and discussions to help students find their voice and learn to be a change-maker! 

View more

Attachments (2)

5-2015:16 2 copy.pdf

Here is a PDF of the project Keynote. The sequence in this attachment, represent a two trimester journey. Please feel free to add questions below if you would like me to expand on any of the slides. As you will see, we embed discussion, artwork, thinking routines and action throughout the project. Taking time to lay the foundation of deep thinking and designing with intent and purpose are extremely important to the creative process.

mopa5b.pdf

Here is a short description of the second project in this unit. This description applies to the examples seen above. I use these descriptions along with quotes, images and student examples to help make the creative process visible. As we know the learning happens in the space between knowing and unknowing. The product represents the interpretation, while the process represents the learning and growing.

6 comments

Join the conversation:

Comment
Photo of Ellen Deutscher
Team

Jason,
Hi.  I finally made it here, and... WOW!!  What a wonderfully powerful learning experience.  I'm truly happy you shared it here. There is so much here and I'd love to support you to continue building on this.  These were some of my initial thoughts after reading your post and Donna's comments (it's sort of a stream of consciousness ;)  :
does this need to be need to be scaled?
i wonder how the learnings from this kind of deep learning experience can impact mindsets, behaviors, and cultures at school.
 How does the knowledge gained by that student in initial example get carried over on the playground, when discussing bystanders and bullying, when interacting with others on the campus and in students’ lives? 
how did you get students to such a thoughtful place?
I foresee some GHO'ing in our future.  Thank you for posting. :)

link
Photo of Jason Blair
Team

Thanks Ellen!  "What is GHO'ing"?
Here is a stream back at you:)
I think purposeful and intentional learning that is rooted in students interests and passions should grow organically.  If it is required, it loses its impact.  We are seeing mindsets, behaviors and cultures change at our school as a result of some of these student lead projects.  What we try and do is embed challenges as much as we can and ask students to make connections to the challenges and life.  We have created a host of challenges that align to content standards, social emotional learning, creativity and thinking habits for students to think about and reflect on.  All of the projects I try and create in the art room focus on thinking, reflecting and connecting to student lives first and content supports this learning.  I think we need to make sure all learning is relevant with purpose and intent and that all students can make personal connections to their lives before applying the content.  I am trying to collaborate as much as possible to reflect the learning environment that our students will actually function in.  We don't think and learn in silos, so schools shouldn't be this way either.  

link
Photo of Ellen Deutscher
Team

Yes!  Beautifully said!  Nos i want to visit your class and school. :) 
GHO is google hangout. Basically google's version of Skype.  Another place to continue conversation. 

link
View all comments