"Gothic Grooves: Draw the Darkness!"

9th Grade Project 1 week

"Gothic Grooves: Draw the Darkness!"

Tyler Decourcey

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Purpose

Students will create a visual representation that encapsulates key elements of Southern Gothic literature, drawing from texts explored earlier in the year. They will reflect on how their artwork captures themes such as decay, grotesque characters, and the Southern setting, connecting these to specific Southern Gothic books. This project encourages students to synthesize their understanding of the genre creatively, while addressing the essential question of how their drawing embodies the core elements of Southern Gothic storytelling.

Learning goals

Students will explore and illustrate key elements of Southern Gothic literature through a creative drawing project, deepening their understanding of the genre's themes and motifs. They will reflect on previous lessons to identify and incorporate specific characteristics from Southern Gothic works studied earlier in the year. The project encourages students to critically analyze how their artistic representations capture the essence of Southern Gothic elements, fostering a comprehensive grasp of the genre's unique attributes.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.5: Make strategic use of digital media in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.

Products

Students will create a visual art piece that encapsulates key elements of Southern Gothic literature. They will draw inspiration from specific Southern Gothic books discussed earlier in the year, incorporating motifs such as decay, eccentric characters, and atmospheric settings. The final artwork will be accompanied by a brief written reflection that connects their artistic choices to the essential question, demonstrating their understanding of Southern Gothic elements.

Launch

Begin the project with a gallery walk featuring images and excerpts from Southern Gothic literature, focusing on key elements such as decay, grotesque characters, and eerie settings. Invite students to jot down initial impressions and connections to previous lessons. Facilitate a brief discussion where students share their thoughts and predictions on how these elements might be represented visually. This shared experience sets the stage for their drawing project, encouraging them to think critically about how they will incorporate these elements into their artwork.

Exhibition

Students will create a visual art piece that represents key elements of Southern Gothic literature, drawing inspiration from specific books studied earlier in the year. These artworks will be displayed in a classroom gallery walk, where students will present their pieces and explain how their work captures the essence of Southern Gothic themes. The gallery walk will include a reflection station where students can write about their creative process and how their understanding of Southern Gothic elements has evolved. This exhibition will allow students to engage with each other's interpretations and provide feedback, fostering a deeper appreciation for the genre.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Southern Gothic Film Viewing - Watch a short film based on a Southern Gothic story, such as 'The Gift' by Ray Bradbury, and discuss the key elements like spooky settings and strange characters (30 min) Idea Brainstorming - Generate initial ideas for creative projects inspired by Southern Gothic themes, focusing on how to represent decay, strange characters, and eerie atmospheres (30 min)	Project Planning - Work in small groups to outline the storyline and elements of the short film or multimedia presentation, ensuring incorporation of Southern Gothic elements (30 min) Script Writing Workshop - Begin drafting scripts or storyboards for the project, focusing on narrative techniques and descriptive details to portray Southern Gothic themes (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Draft of group project script showing Southern Gothic elements. 2. Storyboard or outline for short film or dramatic monologue.
Preparation	1. Gather examples of Southern Gothic short films or stories for viewing. 2. Prepare discussion questions focusing on spooky settings and strange characters. 3. Collect art supplies, digital tools, and video equipment for project creation. 4. Organize materials for scriptwriting and storyboarding sessions.