Jewish History Hub: Interactive Art Adventure

Elementary School Grade

Project
3 weeks

Jewish History Hub: Interactive Art Adventure

Sarrie Paguirigan

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to create an interactive art installation that educates students and the school community about Jewish history and culture. By engaging in hands-on creation, students will explore cultural themes, fostering social awareness and relationship skills. The project culminates in a collaborative art piece that celebrates diversity and encourages empathy, with students actively involved in both the creation and presentation of their work.

Learning goals

Students will explore Jewish history and culture through hands-on art creation, fostering an appreciation for diversity and historical context. They will develop teamwork and communication skills by collaborating on an interactive art installation that educates the school community. The project will also enhance students' ability to articulate their learning and creative process through presentations and digital portfolios.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade-level topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.7: Participate in shared research and writing projects.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4: Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create individual art pieces that represent different aspects of Jewish history and culture, which will be combined into a collaborative school-wide art installation. Each student will contribute sketches, research notes, and photos to a digital portfolio, documenting their creative process and learning journey. The final product will be an interactive art installation unveiled at a school-wide event, where students will present and explain their work, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jewish culture.

Launch

To kick off the project, organize a virtual tour of a local Jewish cultural museum, allowing students to explore exhibits and artifacts that highlight Jewish history and culture. Follow this with a brainstorming session where students share their initial ideas and inspirations for the art installation. Conclude the launch with a collaborative activity where students create a mood board, using images and words that resonate with them, setting the foundation for their creative journey.

Exhibition

Students will present their collaborative art installation during a school-wide unveiling event, sharing insights into Jewish history and culture through their artistic contributions. Each group will explain the significance of their section, fostering an educational dialogue with attendees. The event will also feature interactive activities led by a local Jewish community group, enriching the experience with cultural context and engagement.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Virtual Museum Tour - Begin the week with a virtual tour of a local Jewish cultural museum. Students will explore exhibits and artifacts that highlight Jewish history and culture, taking notes on aspects that stand out to them.	Activity 2: Brainstorming Session - After the tour, facilitate a class discussion where students share their initial ideas and inspirations for the art installation. Encourage them to think about how they can incorporate what they learned from the museum into their art pieces.	Activity 3: Mood Board Creation - In small groups, students will create mood boards using images, colors, and words that resonate with them from the museum tour and brainstorming session. These boards will guide their artistic direction.	Activity 4: Research and Sketching - Students will conduct brief research on a specific aspect of Jewish culture or history that interests them. Using this research, they will create initial sketches of their art pieces that reflect their findings.	Activity 5: Group Sharing and Feedback - Each group will present their mood boards and sketches to the class, receiving feedback and suggestions from peers. This will help refine their ideas and ensure their contributions fit into the larger art installation.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Each student will submit a mood board that represents their group's artistic direction and inspiration. 2. Deliverable 2: A set of initial sketches and research notes from each student, which will be used to guide their art piece development.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Arrange for the virtual museum tour by coordinating with the museum for a suitable time and platform. 2. Prep Task 2: Gather materials needed for mood board creation, such as magazines, colored paper, scissors, glue, and markers. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare a list of online resources and research materials about Jewish culture and history for students to explore. 4. Prep Task 4: Set up a digital platform for students to upload and share their mood boards, sketches, and research notes.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Art Piece Development - Students will begin creating their individual art pieces based on their sketches and research from Week 1, using a variety of art materials to represent the aspect of Jewish culture or history they explored.	Activity 2: Collaborative Planning Session - Groups will meet to discuss how their individual art pieces will fit together in the final installation. They will decide on the arrangement and any additional elements needed to create a cohesive display.	Activity 3: Cultural Context Discussion - Invite a guest speaker from a local Jewish community group to discuss the cultural significance of the themes being explored. This enriches students' understanding and informs their artwork.	Activity 4: Interactive Element Development - Each group will brainstorm and begin developing an interactive component for their section of the installation, such as a simple mechanism or a digital element using QR codes to provide additional information.	Activity 5: Peer Review and Feedback - Students will present their art pieces and interactive elements to the class for feedback. This session helps refine their work and ensures alignment with the project's educational goals.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Each student will complete their individual art piece, ready for assembly into the collective installation. 2. Deliverable 2: Groups will submit a plan detailing how their art pieces and interactive elements will be integrated into the final installation.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Gather art materials such as paints, brushes, canvases, and other necessary supplies for students to create their art pieces. 2. Prep Task 2: Coordinate with a local Jewish community group to arrange for a guest speaker, ensuring they are briefed on the themes and objectives of the project. 3. Prep Task 3: Acquire simple technology tools or materials needed for creating interactive elements, such as QR code generators or basic electronics kits. 4. Prep Task 4: Set up a space where students can safely store their art pieces and work on them over the week.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Final Assembly - Students will work together to assemble the final art installation, combining their individual pieces and interactive elements into a cohesive display. This will involve coordinating with their groups to ensure all components fit together seamlessly.	Activity 2: Rehearsal Presentations - Each group will practice their presentation for the school-wide unveiling event. They will focus on explaining the cultural and historical significance of their section, ensuring they can articulate their learning clearly.	Activity 3: Feedback and Refinement - Conduct a gallery walk where groups present their assembled sections to classmates for feedback. Students will use this feedback to make any final adjustments to their presentations and installation.	Activity 4: Interactive Rehearsal - Groups will test their interactive components, ensuring they function as intended and enhance the educational experience of the installation.	Activity 5: School-Wide Unveiling Event - Host the event in collaboration with a local Jewish community group. Students will present their installation, sharing insights into Jewish history and culture with attendees. The event will include interactive activities led by community partners.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: The completed and assembled interactive art installation, ready for presentation. 2. Deliverable 2: A digital portfolio for each student, showcasing sketches, research notes, photos, and a reflection on their learning experience.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Arrange a designated space for the final assembly and presentation of the art installation. 2. Prep Task 2: Coordinate with the local Jewish community group and ensure their involvement in the unveiling event, including additional activities and context. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare any necessary technology for interactive elements, ensuring all equipment is functional and available. 4. Prep Task 4: Set up a schedule and location for the school-wide unveiling event, including inviting school community members. 5. Prep Task 5: Review student presentations to provide support and guidance, ensuring students are prepared for the event.