ASSIGNMENT

THE DEMANDMENT ASSIGNMENT 

Lionel Hampton Fine Arts & Performing High School

CREATE (3 - 4 hours discussions, engagement, and art making)
Students create their own Demandments, individually or in groups, using a variety of disciplines to express chosen issues.
  1. ART HISTORY: Discuss art history and social art. (15 min)
  2. ASSIGNMENT FORMAT: Pick assignment format.  (5 min)
  3. BRAINSTORM: Find an issue. (30 min)
  4. RESEARCH: Investigate your idea. (30 min)
  5. DESIGN DEMANDMENTS: Write, design, and create Demandments  (1-2 hours)
1. ART HISTORY  (15 min discussion)
Discuss the ways that art is used to promote change.

SUPPLIES - Online search and books
WEBSITE PAGES - Visit our Art History page  and Social Art page


2. ASSIGNMENT FORMAT (5 min)
Shape the assignment in a way that speaks to the student's interest
  • POSTER ART 
  • SELFIES: create self-portraits and add a personal demand in a text bubble.
  • LANDSCAPE: draw a landscape that has a billboard in it with a personal message.
  • STOP SIGN: use the symbol of a stop sign to show the public what should stop.
  • T-SHIRT DESIGN: design a demand on a tshirt. Use fabric paint, iron-on, or heat trasfer.
  • MAKE A MASK: start with a paper bag and make it talk by adding a speech bubble.
  • MAKE A PSA (Public Service Announcement): create a 30 second video using letters.
  • WRITE A SHORT STORY: construct a 5 page book and  fill it with a story of a demand.
  • CONSTRUCT A PAPER HAT: display a demand proudly 
  • CREATE DEMANDS ON THE SIDEWALK: use chalk effectively for others to see
Worksheets to aid in facilitating ideas


3. BRAINSTORM, FINDING AN ISSUE  (30 min)

INSTRUCTIONS
  • Individually, make a list of important issues.
  • Gather as a class or in small groups to discuss their lists of issues.
  • Each student or group chooses one issue to focus on.
  • Create a Demandment inspired by this issue.

SUPPLIES - Sketchbooks, pencils, dictionary, and thesaurus.
STUDENT NOTEBOOKS - Brainstorm session
WEBSITE PAGE - Visit our Themes and Issues page 


Art Educator Brooke Dierkhising brainstorming session.

4. CONDUCT RESEARCH (30 min to 1 hour)

INSTRUCTIONS
  • REFERENCE MATERIAL: Examine online, news, magazines, books, film, and social media.
  • POINT OF VIEW: Explore the different sides to the issue, opinions.
  • COMBINE CLASSES: Use several subjects, such as writing, history, and social studies.
  • INTERVIEWS: Contact local professionals and organizations.
SUPPLIES - Sketchbooks, pencils, dictionary, and thesaurus.
STUDENT NOTEBOOKS - researching topics


Madelaina, Morning program, grades 1-4

5. DESIGN DEMANDMENTS (2 hours)

INSTRUCTIONS
  • WHAT IT SAYS: Learn about word phrases, tone and voice.
  • THE LOOK: Imagine the size and the medium.
  • THE STYLE: Learn about topography, color, composition, mark-making.
  • SHARE: Group discussions.

SUPPLIES - art supplies, any type of drawing utensils (pencils, charcoal, paints, brushes) paper. 
Tape, scissors, and glue if needed. 
STUDENT NOTEBOOKS - sketching

Southside Family Charter School, Minneapolis, MN
COMMUNITY DISPLAYS (1 hour)

An exhibition of students’ Demandments. A public display to empower and uplift the voices of students.

SUPPLIES: a place, an event, and invitations to bring awareness to the issues that students deem important.

STUDENTS CAN
  • Exhibit original artwork.
  • Arrange The Demandments in themes or age groups.
  • Reproduce artwork as flyers, banners, flags, or posters to hang in public places.
  • Create a billboard or mural.
  • Approach a local gallery or university to exhibit the work.
  • Auction off the artwork to jump-start and raise funds for a campaign for change.
  • Show a digital slideshow in public or online.
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 20112

 Part 4: CONTRIBUTE (30 mins)

Students contribute their Demandments, and share solutions, on our website and become involved in a diverse, virtual educational platform.

SUBMISSIONS
  • Email Digital jpegs 
  • Use WeTransfer as an option
  • Include information to use for credit: Name of school, student first name, age, or grade.
  • Share solutions, organizations, ideas, and/or inspirational items.
SUPPLIES - Camera or phone, computer
Sending photos permits the right for online use. 


Richard Edwards Elementary School, Chicago, IL

Part 5: CHANGE 
Students select a community issue to address by introducing ways to solve it.

SUPPLIES - Signage, social media, and the ability to communicate a mission and determination to put into practice all the acquired knowledge.
WORKSHEET - Mission Planning Worksheet
WEBSITE PAGES - Visit our Action page and our Solutions page

 Examples of solutions that students can enact:
  • Plant a garden.
  • Help the local elderly and war veterans.
  • Create a recipe book to learn about the foods and different backgrounds of the student body.
  • Volunteer at a local shelter.
  • Work for healthier food service.
  • Get involved with protecting the local environment.
  • Start a bicycling club or book club.
  • Establish a program that encourages the learning of another culture.
  • Create a photo project for students to share their home life and unique lifestyles.
  • Get involved and support a national organization.
  • A drive for art supplies
  • Select a global issue that affects many.


Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)