"Latin Legends: Unforgettable Beats and Rhythms"

9th, 10th, 11th Grades

Project
2 weeks

"Latin Legends: Unforgettable Beats and Rhythms"

Toni McKoy

Purpose

This project aims to deepen students' understanding of personal and cultural identity through the lens of Latin music, enabling them to explore how these identities shape an artist's legacy. By engaging in hands-on, collaborative activities, students will research and advocate for a Latin artist's inclusion in a hypothetical Hall of Fame, using multimedia presentations and performances to convey their findings. The project fosters language development, critical thinking, and cultural analysis, culminating in a public showcase that highlights the students' insights and creativity.

Learning goals

Students will conduct in-depth research on a Latin music artist, utilizing primary and secondary sources to understand their cultural impact. They will practice Spanish language skills by using subject pronouns and the verbs 'ser' and 'tener' to describe the artist's personality and achievements. Through multimedia presentations and live performances, students will develop skills in digital storytelling, cultural analysis, and public speaking. They will engage in critical debates and collaborative dialogue to advocate for their artist's inclusion in a Hall of Fame, demonstrating mastery of cultural insights and language proficiency.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Products

Students will create a multimedia presentation featuring a video documentary that highlights the life and achievements of their chosen Latin artist, incorporating interviews, live performances, and visual storytelling. They will also develop an interactive digital exhibit with a virtual tour of the artist's career, including audio clips and personal stories. Additionally, students will design a live performance event to recreate iconic moments from the artist's career and produce a podcast series narrating the artist's journey with cultural analysis and interviews. Finally, students will organize a debate forum to advocate for their artist's inclusion in a hypothetical Hall of Fame, supported by their research and multimedia presentations.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Latin Music Discovery Day,' where students rotate through interactive listening stations featuring various Latin music genres and artists. Incorporate dance workshops and cultural storytelling sessions to provide a dynamic introduction to the project. This immersive experience will set the stage for students to begin their research and project development with a deeper appreciation for the cultural contexts of Latin music.

Exhibition

Students will present their projects at the 'Latin Legends Gala,' showcasing multimedia displays and live performances to celebrate the cultural impact of their chosen artists. They will also participate in a 'Debate and Dialogue Forum,' advocating for their artist's inclusion in a hypothetical Hall of Fame, supported by research and personal reflections. Additionally, a 'Cultural Connections Showcase' will invite community partners and peers to interact with students' work and provide feedback, fostering dialogue about cultural identity and music.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch: Latin Music Discovery Day - Students rotate through interactive listening stations featuring various Latin music genres and artists, engaging with dance workshops and cultural storytelling sessions, to gain an appreciation for the cultural contexts of Latin music (85 min)	Meet the Legends Virtual Panel - Students attend a virtual panel with guest speakers from the Latin music industry, including artists, producers, and historians, to gain insights and inspiration for their chosen artist research (35 min) Latin Artist Research Challenge - Students work in teams to quickly gather and present interesting facts about various Latin artists, fostering collaboration and sparking curiosity about the diverse backgrounds and achievements of musicians in the genre (50 min)	Collaborative Research Session - Students explore the historical and cultural background of their chosen Latin artist using primary and secondary sources to understand the artist's impact on music and culture (45 min) Spanish Language Workshop - Students practice using subject pronouns and the verbs 'ser' and 'tener' in Spanish to describe their artist's personality and achievements, reinforcing grammar through real-world applications (40 min)	Digital Storytelling Skill Building - Students learn techniques for creating multimedia presentations, including video documentary skills, visual storytelling, and audio integration, to prepare for their project development (45 min) Peer-Led Debate Preparation - Students engage in peer-led sessions that encourage critical thinking and cultural analysis, preparing arguments for their artist's inclusion in a hypothetical Hall of Fame using evidence from their research (40 min)	Interactive Workshop with Community Partner - Students participate in a workshop with a Latin cultural center to learn about cultural influences on Latin music and engage in hands-on activities exploring the history and evolution of the genre (85 min)
Deliverables	1. Storyboard of multimedia presentation highlighting key moments in the artist's life and achievements. 2. Initial research notes and findings compiled into a digital portfolio.
Preparation	1. Set up listening stations with a variety of Latin music tracks and genres. 2. Organize dance workshop with a focus on traditional Latin dance styles. 3. Prepare materials for language workshops, including role-playing scripts and interactive exercises. 4. Provide access to digital tools for creating storyboards and compiling research notes. 5. Coordinate peer-led debate session, ensuring clear guidelines for evidence-based arguments.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Digital Exhibit Development - Students work on creating an interactive digital exhibit with audio clips, photographs, and personal stories that highlight their artist's career (45 min) Feedback and Revision Session - Students participate in peer review sessions to receive constructive feedback on their digital exhibits, focusing on language accuracy and cultural analysis (40 min)	Podcast Series Production - Students begin scripting and recording their podcast series, integrating personal reflections and cultural analysis with interviews from community partners (50 min) Live Performance Rehearsal - Students rehearse their live performance event, recreating iconic moments from their chosen artist's career with music, dance, and spoken word (35 min)	Final Multimedia Presentation Assembly - Students finalize their multimedia presentations, incorporating video documentaries and visual storytelling to convincingly present their artist's legacy (50 min) Expert Feedback Workshop - Community partners and guest speakers provide insights and critique on students' presentations, helping them refine their arguments and delivery (35 min)	Debate and Dialogue Forum Preparation - Students prepare for the debate forum, practicing arguments for their artist's inclusion in a hypothetical Hall of Fame with evidence from research (40 min) Reflection Circle - Students share their thoughts on how their understanding of cultural identity and music has evolved, connecting personal insights with project progress (45 min)	Latin Legends Gala Execution - Students present their projects through multimedia displays and live performances at the 'Latin Legends Gala,' celebrating their artist's cultural impact (85 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed multimedia presentation and video documentary. 2. Interactive digital exhibit with a virtual tour of the artist's career highlights. 3. Participation in a mock debate session with a refined argument for the Hall of Fame nomination.
Preparation	1. Ensure access to video editing software and tools for multimedia presentations. 2. Arrange for a space to conduct peer review sessions and mock debates. 3. Provide materials and resources for creating interactive digital exhibits. 4. Coordinate with community partners to finalize interviews and gather additional insights. 5. Set up rehearsal space and equipment for live performance practice.