Brews & Bonds: Exploring Coffee Shop Connections

12th Grade

Project
6 weeks

Brews & Bonds: Exploring Coffee Shop Connections

Janely Belendez

Purpose

This project aims to explore the multifaceted role of coffee shops in San Diego as hubs of social connection and community engagement. Through this exploration, students will gain a deeper understanding of how these local establishments contribute to the social fabric of their neighborhoods. By engaging with community partners, such as the Local Coffee Shop Owners Association, students will delve into the business operations and community roles of coffee shops. The project will culminate in a visual reflection, where students document their findings through a photo essay or video documentary, and create a booklet with dedicated pages for each coffee shop visited. The project will conclude with a 'Coffee and Conversation' evening, where students will present their work and facilitate discussions, fostering a greater appreciation for the socio-emotional connections that coffee shops nurture within the community. This experience will not only enhance students' research and communication skills but also encourage them to actively participate in their local community.

Learning goals

In this project, students will explore the intersection of local business and community dynamics by examining the role of coffee shops in San Diego. They will develop research skills as they gather information through interviews and tours, enhancing their understanding of business operations and community engagement. Critical thinking will be fostered as students analyze the socio-emotional connections facilitated by coffee shops. Through their visual reflection projects, students will enhance their communication skills, both in visual storytelling and in presenting their findings to the community. Collaboration will be key as students work with peers and community partners, honing their ability to work effectively in teams. This project will also encourage students to engage in civic awareness by considering the broader impact of local businesses on community well-being.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

Products

In this project, students will create a comprehensive guide to local coffee shops in San Diego, focusing on their role in fostering social connections and community engagement. Each student will contribute to a collaborative booklet, dedicating one page to a specific coffee shop. This page will include insights gathered from interviews with shop owners, observations of the social dynamics within the shop, and reflections on the shop's impact on the local community. Additionally, students will produce a visual reflection project, such as a photo essay or video documentary, capturing their exploration journey and highlighting the socio-emotional connections observed. The culmination of the project will be a 'Coffee and Conversation' evening at a local coffee shop, where students will exhibit their booklets and visual projects, facilitating discussions on the importance of coffee shops in the community.

Launch

To kick off the project, organize a "Coffee Culture Exploration Day" where students visit a selection of local coffee shops in San Diego. Begin with a brief introduction to the project and its goals, followed by a guided tour of a few unique coffee shops. During the visits, students can engage in informal conversations with baristas and patrons to get an initial sense of the social dynamics and community roles of these spaces. Conclude the day with a group discussion at a coffee shop, where students share their first impressions and brainstorm potential themes and questions they might want to explore further in their projects. This immersive experience will spark curiosity and provide a real-world context for their upcoming work.

Exhibition

To effectively exhibit the students' work at the end of this project, plan a 'Coffee and Conversation' evening at a local coffee shop. This event will serve as a platform for students to showcase their booklets and visual reflection projects, such as photo essays or video documentaries. During the evening, attendees can enjoy coffee while engaging in meaningful discussions about the role of coffee shops in fostering social connections and community engagement in San Diego. Students will facilitate these discussions, drawing from their research and experiences gathered throughout the project. This exhibition not only highlights students' learning but also strengthens community ties by involving local coffee shop owners and patrons in the conversation.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Introduction to Project - The teacher will introduce the project purpose, learning goals, and standards. Students will be briefed on the overall timeline and expected outcomes.	Activity 2: Coffee Culture Exploration Day - Students will visit a selection of local coffee shops in San Diego. They will engage in informal conversations with baristas and patrons and observe social dynamics.	Activity 3: Group Discussion and Brainstorming - After the exploration day, students will gather to discuss their observations and share initial impressions. They will brainstorm potential themes and questions for their projects.	Activity 4: Research Skills Workshop - The teacher will conduct a workshop on research methods, focusing on conducting interviews and gathering qualitative data.	Activity 5: Theme and Question Development - Students will refine their themes and formulate focused research questions based on their exploration day experiences and group discussions.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: A list of initial themes and research questions developed by each student or group. 2. Deliverable 2: A short reflective journal entry where students document their impressions from the Coffee Culture Exploration Day.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Arrange visits to local coffee shops for the Coffee Culture Exploration Day, coordinating with shop owners for permission and potential participant interviews. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare an introductory presentation outlining the project goals, timeline, and expected outcomes. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Develop materials and resources for the research skills workshop, including guides on interview techniques and data collection.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Deep Dive into Coffee Shop Operations - Students will conduct detailed research on the business operations of coffee shops. This includes understanding supply chain, customer service, and marketing strategies.	Activity 2: Interview Planning and Scheduling - Students will plan and schedule interviews with coffee shop owners and staff. They will draft interview questions based on their research themes.	Activity 3: Conducting Interviews - Students will execute their planned interviews, either in person or virtually, focusing on understanding the role of coffee shops in the community.	Activity 4: Data Collection and Organization - Students will organize the data collected from interviews and observations, categorizing them according to themes and questions.	Activity 5: Reflective Group Session - Students will meet in groups to share their interview experiences and discuss insights. They will begin to identify patterns and connections in their data.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: A comprehensive interview plan including scheduled dates, drafted questions, and a list of potential interviewees. 2. Deliverable 2: Organized notes and data collected from interviews, categorized by theme and research question. 3. Deliverable 3: A reflective journal entry summarizing key insights and personal reflections from the interview process.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Provide guidance on effective interview techniques and question formulation, offering feedback on students’ draft questions. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Assist students in making initial contact with coffee shop owners and scheduling interviews, as needed. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Prepare materials for a session on data organization and analysis, including templates for categorizing interview data.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Data Analysis Workshop - The teacher will conduct a workshop on qualitative data analysis techniques. Students will learn how to identify patterns and themes in their collected data.	Activity 2: Identifying Key Themes - Students will work individually or in groups to analyze their interview and observation data, identifying key themes and patterns that relate to their research questions.	Activity 3: Developing Visual Narratives - Students will begin to conceptualize their visual reflection projects, brainstorming ideas for photo essays or video documentaries based on their findings.	Activity 4: Storyboarding Session - Students will create storyboards for their visual projects, outlining the structure and key elements they wish to include in their narratives.	Activity 5: Peer Review and Feedback - Students will present their storyboards to peers for feedback, refining their ideas and ensuring their narratives effectively convey their research insights.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: A thematic analysis report summarizing key themes and patterns identified in the interview and observation data. 2. Deliverable 2: A storyboard for the visual reflection project, detailing the narrative structure and key elements to be included.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Develop materials for the data analysis workshop, including resources on qualitative data analysis techniques. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Provide examples of effective visual storytelling, offering guidance on creating impactful photo essays and video documentaries. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Organize a peer review session, preparing guidelines for constructive feedback and ensuring a supportive environment for sharing ideas.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Visual Reflection Project Development - Students will begin creating their visual reflection projects, whether a photo essay or video documentary, using the storyboards developed in the previous week.	Activity 2: Technical Skills Workshop - The teacher will conduct a workshop on photography and video editing techniques, providing students with the skills needed to effectively capture and present their findings.	Activity 3: Field Work - Students will visit coffee shops to capture photographs or video footage based on their storyboard plans, ensuring they align with their identified themes and narratives.	Activity 4: Editing and Compilation - Students will start editing their photos or video clips, compiling them into a coherent narrative that aligns with their research insights.	Activity 5: Progress Check-in and Peer Review - Students will present their progress to the class, receiving feedback from peers and the teacher to refine and enhance their projects.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: A draft version of the visual reflection project, including initial edits of photos or video footage. 2. Deliverable 2: A peer review feedback report, summarizing the feedback received and outlining the planned revisions.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Prepare materials for the technical skills workshop, including guides and tutorials on photography and video editing techniques. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Coordinate with coffee shop owners to arrange permissions for students to capture photos or video footage on-site. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Develop a framework for the progress check-in session, providing guidelines for constructive peer feedback.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Finalizing Visual Reflection Projects - Students will complete the editing and compilation of their visual reflection projects, incorporating feedback received during the previous week's peer review.	Activity 2: Designing Coffee Shop Booklet Pages - Students will start designing their dedicated booklet pages for each coffee shop visited, including insights, reflections, and images.	Activity 3: Writing Workshop - The teacher will conduct a workshop focused on effective writing techniques to help students articulate their findings and insights clearly and engagingly.	Activity 4: Peer Review of Booklet Pages - Students will share their draft booklet pages with peers for feedback, focusing on clarity, coherence, and visual appeal.	Activity 5: Final Revisions - Students will incorporate feedback to finalize both their visual reflection projects and booklet pages, ensuring all content is cohesive and well-presented.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Final version of the visual reflection project, ready for exhibition. 2. Deliverable 2: Completed booklet pages for each coffee shop, including all necessary revisions and enhancements.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Organize resources and examples for the writing workshop, focusing on techniques for effective written communication. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Develop criteria and guidelines for peer review of booklet pages, ensuring constructive and focused feedback. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Coordinate with a local print shop for potential printing of the booklet, considering layout and design requirements.

Week 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Final Exhibition Preparation - Students will ensure all projects are finalized and ready for presentation. They will organize their visual reflection projects and booklet pages for the 'Coffee and Conversation' evening.	Activity 2: Rehearsal for Presentations - Students will rehearse their presentations, focusing on effectively communicating their research findings and insights to an audience.	Activity 3: Event Setup - Students will assist in setting up the exhibition space at the local coffee shop, arranging displays for their booklets and visual projects.	Activity 4: 'Coffee and Conversation' Evening - Students will present their work to an audience of coffee shop owners, patrons, and community members, facilitating discussions on the role of coffee shops in the community.	Activity 5: Reflection and Feedback Session - Following the event, students will engage in a reflection session to discuss their experiences from the exhibition and gather feedback from attendees.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Final exhibition-ready versions of the visual reflection projects and booklet pages. 2. Deliverable 2: A reflection report summarizing feedback received during the 'Coffee and Conversation' evening and personal reflections on the project experience.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Coordinate with the local coffee shop to finalize event logistics, including space setup, timing, and technology requirements. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Provide guidance on effective presentation skills, offering feedback and support as students rehearse. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Develop a feedback form for event attendees to provide constructive feedback on the students' presentations and projects.