"Folklorico Fiesta: Dance Into Mexican Culture!"

8th Grade Project 2 weeks

"Folklorico Fiesta: Dance Into Mexican Culture!"

Kaylie L

DA:Pr5.1.8.c

MA:Pr5.1.8.c

DA:Cn10.1.8.b

Self Directed Learning

Academic Mindset

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Purpose

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Mexican folklorico to understand its cultural significance and express this through digital storytelling. Collaborate with peers to explore and document the rich history and expressive movements of folklorico, while honing your social media and digital communication skills. Through this project, you'll deepen your cultural sensitivity and motivation by connecting personal identity with broader cultural narratives, ultimately contributing to a virtual gallery that celebrates and preserves cultural identity.

Learning goals

Engage in collaborative research to understand the cultural significance of Mexican folklorico and its role in preserving cultural identity. Develop digital storytelling skills by creating a virtual gallery walk and digital portfolio, showcasing your findings through images, videos, and personal reflections. Enhance your ability to adapt media tools creatively to communicate your insights, while practicing self-directed learning and critical thinking to address complex cultural questions.

Standards

[National Core Arts Standards] DA:Pr5.1.8.c - Collaborate with peers to discover strategies for achieving performance accuracy, clarity, and expressiveness. Articulate personal performance goals and practice to reach goals. Document personal improvement over time (for example, journaling, portfolio, or timeline).
[National Core Arts Standards] MA:Pr5.1.8.c - Demonstrate adaptability using tools, techniques and content in standard and experimental ways to communicate intent in the production of media artworks.
[National Core Arts Standards] DA:Cn10.1.8.b - Investigate two contrasting topics using a variety of research methods. Identify and organize ideas to create representative movement phrases. Create a dance study exploring the contrasting ideas. Discuss how the research informed the choreographic process and deepens understanding of the topics.

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

Create a virtual gallery walk where you curate and display images and videos of folklorico performances. Allow viewers to leave comments and engage with the content. Develop a digital portfolio that showcases your research on Mexican folklorico, including images, videos, and reflections on cultural identity. These products will highlight your understanding of the cultural significance of folklorico and your ability to communicate this through digital storytelling.

Launch

Begin by watching a short, captivating video of a vibrant Mexican folklorico dance performance. Afterward, engage in a class discussion to share initial impressions and thoughts on the cultural significance of the dance. Finally, brainstorm ideas on how you might use digital storytelling to capture and convey the essence of folklorico to a wider audience.

Exhibition

Organize a virtual gallery walk where you curate and display your digital portfolios, showcasing your research on Mexican folklorico. Invite peers, teachers, and family members to explore the gallery and leave comments on your work. Facilitate discussions on the role of folklorico in preserving cultural identity, encouraging viewers to engage with the digital storytelling elements you've created. Use this exhibition as an opportunity to reflect on your learning journey and the cultural insights you've gained.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Introduction to Mexican Folklorico - Watch a short video of a folklorico dance performance. Discuss initial impressions and brainstorm ideas on using digital storytelling to convey folklorico's essence. (20 min)	Researching Folklorico History - Use online resources to gather information about the history and cultural significance of Mexican folklorico. Begin compiling notes and images for your digital portfolio. (20 min)	Exploring Folklorico Movements - Investigate various folklorico dance movements through videos and interviews with cultural experts. Organize ideas to create representative movement phrases. (20 min)	Digital Storytelling Techniques - Learn about digital storytelling tools and techniques. Experiment with creating short media clips that communicate the intent and cultural nuances of folklorico. (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A completed research journal detailing the history and significance of Mexican folklorico. 2. A list of ideas for digital storytelling projects developed during brainstorming sessions. 3. A draft storyboard for a digital portfolio including key elements to be showcased. 4. Peer feedback notes on the initial storyboard draft.
Preparation	1. Gather links to several high-quality videos of Mexican folklorico performances. 2. Prepare a list of reliable online resources and documentaries about Mexican folklorico. 3. Create a guide on digital storytelling and how to use various social media platforms effectively. 4. Prepare a storyboard template for students to use in planning their digital portfolios. 5. Set up a shared digital space for students to upload and share their storyboards and research notes.

Week 2	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8
Activities	Curating Gallery Content - Select and refine images and videos for your virtual gallery walk, ensuring they highlight key aspects of Mexican folklorico. Begin organizing them in a logical sequence to tell a cohesive story. (20 min)	Gallery Walk Design - Using digital tools, design the layout of your virtual gallery walk. Consider how to best engage your audience and encourage interaction. (20 min)	Digital Portfolio Reflection - Draft personal reflections that describe your learning journey and insights on Mexican folklorico. Incorporate these reflections into your digital portfolio. (20 min)	Virtual Gallery Walk Presentation - Finalize your virtual gallery walk and facilitate a session where you present your work to peers and invite feedback. Use this opportunity to evaluate your project and reflect on your growth. (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete a digital portfolio showcasing your research on Mexican folklorico, including images, videos, and reflections on cultural identity. 2. Curate and contribute to a virtual gallery walk with images and videos of folklorico performances, enabling viewer engagement. 3. Participate in a peer feedback session to review and provide constructive feedback on classmates' digital portfolios. 4. Articulate personal performance goals and document personal improvement in a reflective journal or timeline within the portfolio. 5. Facilitate a virtual gallery walk where you present your digital portfolio to peers, teachers, and family members, inviting comments and discussions on the work.
Preparation	1. Ensure access to digital devices with internet connectivity for research and creation of digital portfolios. 2. Provide a list of online resources, documentaries, and interviews related to Mexican folklorico for research purposes. 3. Set up a digital platform (such as Padlet or Google Sites) for the virtual gallery walk and portfolio submissions. 4. Prepare guidelines and templates for digital portfolios to help organize research findings, images, videos, and reflections. 5. Coordinate with peers or teachers to facilitate peer review sessions for feedback on digital portfolios. 6. Arrange for a virtual meeting platform if live discussions or presentations are part of the exhibition.