Cultural Rhythms: Unveiling Rumi and Hafez's Legacy

High School Grade

Project
2 weeks

Cultural Rhythms: Unveiling Rumi and Hafez's Legacy

Reza Pootrakul

Analysis & Interpretation

Connections

Presentation (Oral)

Style and Voice

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse high school students in the rich cultural and historical contexts of Persian poetry through the works of Rumi and Hafez. Over two weeks, students will explore the major themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition in these poets' works, connecting them to contemporary issues and personal experiences. By engaging with community partners, such as a local university's literature department, a Persian community center, and a museum with Middle Eastern artifacts, students will gain diverse perspectives and insights. The project aims to develop students' analytical and interpretative skills, foster innovative connections between texts and contexts, and enhance their presentation abilities. Through reflective journaling, digital portfolios, and a collaborative art installation, students will express their interpretations creatively, culminating in a digital exhibition that invites broader community interaction and feedback.

Learning goals

In this project, students will explore the poetry of Rumi and Hafez, focusing on themes such as love, spirituality, and the human condition. They will analyze how these themes reflect the cultural and historical contexts of the poets' time and relate them to contemporary issues and personal experiences. Through partnerships with local universities, community centers, and museums, students will gain a deeper understanding of Persian culture and history. The project will involve creating multimedia presentations and collaborative art installations, allowing students to express their interpretations creatively. Students will also develop skills in analysis, interpretation, and presentation, meeting standards for insightful connections, clear communication, and intellectual engagement. The project aims to cultivate a passion for literature and an appreciation for diverse cultural perspectives.

Standards

Analysis & Interpretation - Provides deep insight and creates meaningful interpretation of text(s). Elaborates and extends thesis or central idea and meaning of supporting evidence. Answers question, 'So what?' May consider author's language, craft, and/or choice of genre
Connections - Makes innovative and insightful connection between a text and one of the following: Another work of literature, historical/cultural context, biographical context, film version of text, substantial criticism, or a creative element (e.g., writing of poetry based on poet being analyzed).
Presentation (Oral) - Able to respond to questions and expand on ideas during discussion. Communicates ideas clearly in appropriate, sophisticated, and original way to audience. Presents complex, accurate, substantive ideas and information clearly.
Style and Voice - Evidence of passion for subject or deep curiosity. Writer willing to take risks. Displays intellectual engagement. Creative, clear, and appropriate use of language and word choice based on the task

Products

Students will create a collaborative art installation inspired by the themes in Rumi and Hafez's poetry, utilizing visual arts, poetry, and digital media to express their interpretations. This installation will be displayed in a local museum or community center, offering a tangible representation of their insights. Additionally, students will produce a multimedia presentation or video project that explores the themes in the poets' works and their cultural and historical contexts. This project will incorporate insights from guest lectures and community interactions. Finally, students will develop a collaborative research paper or digital publication analyzing the influence of Persian culture on Rumi and Hafez's works, integrating contributions from community partners and reflections on their learning process. These products will demonstrate students' ability to analyze, interpret, and creatively express their understanding of the poets' themes and contexts.

Launch

To kick off the project, host a "Cultural Kaleidoscope" day, where students immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Persia. Begin with a captivating introduction to Rumi and Hafez through a storytelling session, highlighting key aspects of their lives and works. Follow this with a series of interactive workshops led by community partners, such as a Persian calligraphy class, a tasting session of traditional Persian cuisine, and an exploration of Persian art. These activities will provide students with a sensory experience of the poets' cultural backgrounds, sparking curiosity and setting the stage for deeper exploration of the themes in their poetry. This launch will not only engage students but also provide context that will enrich their understanding of the cultural and historical influences on Rumi and Hafez's works.

Exhibition

To effectively exhibit the students' work at the end of the project, organize a "Persian Poetry and Culture Showcase" event. This event can be held at the local museum or community center, where the collaborative art installation inspired by Rumi and Hafez's poetry will be prominently displayed. Invite community partners, parents, and peers to attend. Students can present their multimedia projects and research papers, engaging the audience in discussions about the themes and cultural contexts of the poetry. Incorporate live readings of Rumi and Hafez's works, perhaps in both Persian and English, to enhance the cultural immersion. Additionally, set up interactive stations where attendees can explore students' digital portfolios and leave feedback. This exhibition not only celebrates the students' learning but also fosters a deeper connection with the community and appreciation for Persian literature and culture.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Cultural Kaleidoscope Day - Begin with a storytelling session introducing Rumi and Hafez, followed by interactive workshops on Persian calligraphy, traditional cuisine tasting, and Persian art exploration.	Day 2: Poetry Analysis Workshop - Students read selected poems by Rumi and Hafez, focusing on themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition. Discuss the cultural and historical contexts of the poems.	Day 3: Guest Lecture - Invite a professor from the local university's literature department to discuss the influence of Persian culture on Rumi and Hafez's poetry.	Day 4: Reflective Journaling - Students write reflective journal entries discussing how the themes in the poetry relate to contemporary issues and personal experiences.	Day 5: Multimedia Presentation Planning - Students begin planning their multimedia presentations, outlining key themes and insights they wish to explore and present.
Deliverables	1. Reflective Journal Entry: Students submit a reflective journal entry connecting the themes of the poetry to modern issues and personal experiences. 2. Multimedia Presentation Outline: Students submit an outline for their multimedia presentation, highlighting key themes and insights.
Preparation	1. Prepare storytelling session materials and select poems for Day 1. 2. Coordinate with community partners for workshops on Cultural Kaleidoscope Day. 3. Invite and coordinate with guest lecturer for Day 3. 4. Develop guidelines and prompts for reflective journaling on Day 4. 5. Provide resources and examples for multimedia presentation planning on Day 5.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Art Installation Planning - Students brainstorm and plan the collaborative art installation, focusing on themes from Rumi and Hafez's poetry. They decide on the medium, materials, and layout.	Day 2: Multimedia Presentation Development - Students work on creating their multimedia presentations, incorporating insights from the guest lecture and community interactions.	Day 3: Research Paper Drafting - Begin drafting the collaborative research paper or digital publication, analyzing Persian cultural influences and synthesizing information gathered.	Day 4: Art Installation Creation - Students begin creating the art installation, translating their plans into tangible artworks. Work collaboratively to bring their vision to life.	Day 5: Exhibition Preparation and Rehearsal - Students rehearse their presentations and finalize the art installation. Set up the exhibition space and ensure all digital projects are ready for display.
Deliverables	1. Draft of Multimedia Presentation: Students submit a draft version of their multimedia presentation for feedback. 2. Research Paper Draft: Submit a draft of the collaborative research paper or digital publication for peer review. 3. Art Installation: Complete and display the art installation for the final exhibition.
Preparation	1. Prepare materials and guidelines for the art installation planning session on Day 1. 2. Provide feedback and guidance for multimedia presentation development on Day 2. 3. Facilitate research paper drafting by providing templates and research resources on Day 3. 4. Coordinate with community partners for exhibition logistics and setup on Day 5. 5. Ensure all technological resources (e.g., projectors, computers) are available and functional for the exhibition and presentations.