This academic endeavor invites 9th-grade students to explore and critically analyze their cultural heritage, fostering a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural significance of oral traditions. Through research, practice, and creative expression, students will develop a live performance that integrates storytelling, music, and dance, showcasing the evolution of these traditions in a modern context. By connecting personal interests with ancestral roots, students will enhance their academic mindset and critical thinking skills, ultimately presenting their findings and creative work at a community event that encourages audience participation and cultural exchange.
Learning goals
Students will develop academic skills in research, time management, and performance arts, including storytelling, dance, and music, rooted in their cultural heritage. They will engage in self-directed learning by utilizing feedback and reflection to refine their projects, fostering a deeper understanding of identity and cultural heritage. Through collaboration with community partners and peers, students will enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, culminating in a performance that invites audience participation and showcases the evolution of oral traditions.
Standards
[National Core Arts Standards] TH:Pr6.HS2.a - Present a drama/theatre work using creative processes that shape the production for a specific audience.
[National Core Arts Standards] TH:Pr6.HS3.a - Present a drama/theatre production for a specific audience that employs research and analysis grounded in the creative perspectives of the playwright, director, designer, and dramaturg.
[National Core Arts Standards] TH:Cr2.HS1.a - Explore the function of history and culture in the development of a dramatic concept through a critical analysis of original ideas in a drama/theatre work.
Competencies
Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Products
Throughout the learning experience, students will develop a live performance that integrates storytelling, dance, and music from their cultural backgrounds, highlighting the evolution of an oral tradition. They will document their research and creative process in a reflective journal, which will include critical analyses and connections to their heritage. The final product will be an interactive presentation that not only showcases their performance skills but also engages the audience in learning and participating in the cultural traditions presented.
Launch
Kick off the project with a focused family interview session where students collect oral histories related to their heritage. Follow this with an academic workshop where students present their findings, analyze cultural narratives, and discuss how these can be woven into their chosen art form. Facilitate a brainstorming session to help students conceptualize a performance that connects their heritage with their personal interests, emphasizing critical thinking and cultural analysis.
Exhibition
The exhibition will be an academic showcase where students present their creative adaptations of oral traditions to peers, teachers, family members, and community partners. Each performance will be accompanied by a brief explanation of the research and cultural analysis that informed their work, highlighting the academic rigor behind their creative choices. The event will also include interactive components, allowing the audience to participate in folk dances and songs, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse cultural heritages.
