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7th Grade  Project 7 weeks

"Trail Tales: Access Unlocked!"

Javier D
D4.3.6-8
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7
VA:Cn10.1.7a
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
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Purpose

This project aims to deepen students' understanding of access and its implications by exploring trails through the lens of bikers, hikers, and naturalists. Students will create documentaries that uncover hidden narratives and examine environmental and social impacts, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By engaging with community partners and showcasing their films in a public exhibition, students will connect their learning to real-world contexts, enhancing their sense of identity and belonging while promoting equitable access to trails.

Learning goals

Students will develop skills in persuasive writing by constructing thesis statements, paraphrasing, and using quotes to support their arguments. They will engage in critical thinking and problem-solving as they explore the essential question of access to trails and its impact on community health and well-being. Through the creation of short films or documentaries, students will apply visual arts standards to document and narrate hidden stories of trails, fostering a sense of identity and belonging. The project will enhance self-directed learning through peer critique and adult feedback, allowing students to refine their work and present it in a film festival setting.
Standards
  • [National Council for the Social Studies] D4.3.6-8 - Present adaptations of arguments and explanations on topics of interest to others to reach audiences and venues outside the classroom using print and oral technologies (e.g., posters, essays, letters, debates, speeches, reports, and maps) and digital technologies (e.g., Internet, social media, and digital documentary).
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7 - Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
  • [National Core Arts Standards] VA:Cn10.1.7a - Individually or collaboratively create visual documentation of places and times in which people gather to make and experience art or design in the community.
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 project, students will develop persuasive essays that serve as foundational scripts for their documentaries, allowing them to articulate their research findings and arguments effectively. By the end of the seven-week period, students will collaboratively produce short films or documentaries that showcase their exploration of access to trails, integrating visual storytelling techniques learned during the project. These final products will be exhibited at a community film festival, providing students with an authentic platform to present their work and engage with an audience beyond the classroom.

Launch

To launch the project, students will participate in a virtual reality experience that simulates a hike through various trails, highlighting both accessible and restricted paths. This immersive activity will prompt students to reflect on the disparities in trail access and set the stage for exploring the essential question. Following the VR experience, students will engage in a group discussion to share initial thoughts and brainstorm potential documentary topics.

Exhibition

Students will culminate their project by showcasing their documentaries at a community film festival held at a local movie theater. This event will invite parents, teachers, community partners, and the general public to view the students' work, fostering a shared dialogue around access to trails and its impact on communities. Each group will introduce their film, highlighting key findings and reflections, and engage in a Q&A session with the audience to deepen the conversation and understanding of their explorations.