The Scrapbook of a Witness and The Search for Meaning

Attention Writers and Artists! Bear Witness! Speak Truth!

Students were asked to share their 'testimony' and tell The Story of their understandings by producing a book or 'chest' creatively filled with a collection of reflective and creative writing, artwork and artifacts that an audience can touch and feel.

GOALS OF THE PROJECT:
* Share your 'testimony' and tell The Story of your understanding of the relationships between past events, present realities and future possibilities.
* Use Creativity and Artistic Expression to convey your ideas and make connections to your sense of self, other and responsibility.
* Remember...you are creating YOUR OWN PERSONAL narrative.


CENTRAL THEMES AND QUESTIONS:
As you create your Correspondence with History, be sure to keep the following in mind:
* In the Jewish tradition, a witness is a messenger who 'says how things are'...who speaks truth:
TO WHAT ARE YOU A WITNESS AND A MESSENGER?
* Explore the role of stories and experiences as creators of identity:
WHO AM I? WHAT REASON DO I HAVE FOR LIVING?
* What is the message you will carry into your own life and to humanity about who we are, who we must be and what our responsibility is toward one another?


PROJECT ASSIGNMENT:
* Produce an interactive Book or 'Chest' or Digital Design (keynote, flash, web) that is creatively filled with a collection of Artwork, Physical Artifacts and Words (found, reflective and creative writing) that your audience can touch, feel and interact with.
* Build upon and deepen the work you have already begun in your scrapbook for the Search for Meaning project about the Holocaust by creating a truly interactive experience for readers and visitors to the Museum.


REQUIREMENTS:
Your Group's (or individual) Project must include:
1. All three elements of Artwork, Physical Artifacts and Words (found, reflective and creative writing). You may select from the examples brainstormed in class or seen in models to include in the project design.
2. A balanced and fair amount of written and artistic contributions from each member
3. Also, each member of the group will be responsible for completing their own write-up (3 pages minimum) that discusses:
a. the message of the project
b. why it is important
c. how it addresses the Central Questions
d. an analysis of the techniques and styles you used to create a successful project

 

Subject Area(s): Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts

 

Teaching Days to Complete: 2 weeks

 

Keywords  What's this?

 

Outcomes  What's this?

 

21st Century Leadership Skills  What's this?

Communicate Effectively and Persuasively, Manage Projects Effectively, Think Critically, Solve Problems Resourcefully , Express Creatively, Collaborate Productively

 

Graduation Portfolio Tasks  What's this?

Literary Analysis, Creative Expression, Multimedia Project, Public Speaking