September 6, 2010

By: Keith L. from New Orleans, LA
Comments: 30

Posted By: Keith Lewis
On: 4/26/2008 3:05:11 PM

I am looking for ways of presenting design to my classroom. This summer I will continue to come up with concepts that my students may enjoy. One idea I have is to take a look at the different school designs here in New Orleans. Perhaps we can create a catalogue on the different archtectural designs, historical references and data on the eras that the schools were built. Keith Lewis, McMain High School, New Orleans, La.

Posted By: Nancy Gerber
On: 4/26/2008 10:35:20 PM

Keith, I was just at the Youth Service Learning Conference and met a high school student who documented historic buildings in her community and created a calendar that was used for fundraising. She researched photographs of important structures, interviewed older folks with some experience of the structures, and then photographed the space today. It was printed on newsprint and quite attractive. Perhaps a similar project with a design focus would engage your students? Nancy

Posted By: William Bobrowsky
On: 4/27/2008 6:56:42 AM

To add to Nancy's great suggestion, you could offer an alternate public showing to students and have them create something that would go on the town website-a creation of an architectural tour of New Orleans, or because N.O is so rich in architecture, maybe just the radius around the school at which you teach. You can get whoever runs your area or city website to help with the transition and make sure they'll post it up for a period of time. Enjoy-Bill

Posted By: Aisha Madhi
On: 4/27/2008 4:29:42 PM

I'm a huge fan of New Orleans and I think its architecture is one of its greatest attractions. One thing I'm curious about possible connections between class and architecture. In particular, were the one level "shotgun" style homes built for the working classes? I know that they tend to be more prevalent outside the Garden district but they seem to be very typical for the region. Is it possible to look at class relations in New Orleans through the lens of architecture? Also, I've been hearing a lot of buzz about Brad Pitt's greenbuilding initiative for rebuilding New Orleans. The designs are supposedly reflective of existing architectural styles but more ecofriendly. You may want to have your students research the newest stage of design in New Orleans as a part of the rebuilding efforts. Aisha M.

Posted By: Karen Thomas
On: 4/27/2008 9:24:02 PM

This is a great way to study the history, and, as someone mentioned in their comment, perhaps reveal the effect of social class on the type of architecture represented. Here in Philadelphia, the oldest school buildings, still in use, represents a time when craftsmen and artisans had a major hand in architecture. While many are in a state of disrepair, the marble staircases, hand-carved hardwood trim, and built in display areas represent a time when schools were clearly held in very high regard.

Posted By: Keith Lewis
On: 4/28/2008 8:11:27 PM

I want to thanks everyone for their responses. I am interested in Brad Pitt's ecohomes also. I also am very curious about how the Dutch has designed homes to work well on the rivers. The homes are made to float during flooding. These designs are eco-friendly. I saw a documentary on "Beyond Tomorrow", on the science channel. I would love to get the video on that show ,so we could watch and discuss the possibilites of these homes being built in New Orleans. Keith

Posted By: Jacalyn Moss
On: 4/29/2008 12:14:58 AM

I took a wonderful Louisiana History course in college that covered New Orleans architecture as it related to social class. That was almost forty years ago. This topic is even more relevant today with all the rebuilding taking place. It would make a great history/design research project for high school students in New Orleans. I wonder what future generations will think about the architectural design elements now being incorporated in New Orleans homes that are being rebuilt.

Posted By: Jennifer Baker
On: 4/29/2008 7:25:13 PM

I can remember being in high school and visiting New York City. Our teacher told us to look up at the tops of the buildings. It was the first time I intentionally changed my viewpoint. He pointed out all of the different types of windows, rooftops, architectural styles, and how the light changed according the skyline. This memory had a huge impact on how I continued to look at space. I frequently take my students on walking tours. I use a variety of techniques to get my students to look more closely at their surroundings. The techniques include bringing along vocabulary cards of the elements and principles of design. Some times I focus on a few. Some times I give them all out and see what comes back. I blend looking with sketching, listing and small group conversation. Everyone notices something new. Everyone improves his or her ability to speak specifically using design language.

Posted By: Robin Little
On: 4/29/2008 10:18:51 PM

When my daughter was in high school, she was in the International Baccalaureate Program. One of the courses she was required to take was Theory of Knowledge. Her teacher gave all of the students an assignment to take 24 photos from a different point of view. So, for example, if they wanted to take a picture of a flower, they had to find a unique perspective to view...from underneath, from the side of the petals, etc. Not only did that assignment get my daughter extremely interested in photography and developing her own photos, but it changed how she looks at things from different perspectives. She passed on her enthusiam and perspectives to all of us in the family because we started helping find a different view. Even today, I find myself looking for the "out of the box" point of view every time I get behind a photo lense. As teachers, we sometimes forget what an impact even the simpliest assignment can make on our students.

Posted By: mel ruth
On: 4/30/2008 1:42:43 PM

I did a project called "my commute to school." Students who commute to school everyday forget to see the cracks and crevices. i gave each students a disposable camera -they have to take pictures of their journey to school. then present them to the class for critiquing and discussion. Incidentally, they saw things they never seen in the process.

Posted By: Brittain Villaflor
On: 5/2/2008 3:45:02 PM

A few years back (before digital cameras were all the rage) I did a project with my 1st graders during our study of homes where they each got a disposable camera to take home. I asked them to take pictures of different rooms in their house and then they wrote about what the room was used for and why it might be special to them. We used those pictures and the writing to create books. It was really interesting to see how the kids got to see their homes in a new way and from different angles. It also let them experiment with photography in a low-stakes setting.

Posted By: Kelley Oxley
On: 5/12/2008 11:53:02 PM

I really like the idea about taking pictures of specific themes over time...maybe one week they focus on tops of houses and another week they look at doorways...maybe they can decide which ones look most aesthetically pleasing, which are most economically sound, etc..I also see photoshop playing a part in these pictures...I'm not sure how exactly, but it's a great program all students should learn how to use :)

Posted By: Marie Tom
On: 5/13/2008 7:06:25 PM

I had my students take pictures of houses and different types of archcheture in and around the school neighborhood and then write about the different styles and how they differ. Then they built a house of their own and explained the different parts, and which style they liked the best. I love your idea about specific themes and breaking that down into parts. I think I would like to do a theme about just windows, perhaps starting with the windows in your own home and what they show and what you think about when you look out of them. Then have the kids take pictures of the window from the inside looking out and if possible from the outside looking in. They could tell two different stories.

Posted By: Marie Tom
On: 5/13/2008 7:08:22 PM

Keith thanks for all of your good ideas. I wish I were in your class!

Posted By: Jacalyn Moss
On: 5/13/2008 11:29:24 PM

Keith, I'd love to be a student in your class, too! Let me know if you have an empty desk available.

Posted By: Daarina Abdus-Samad
On: 5/14/2008 1:32:46 AM

Digital Story Telling is a new way of sharing not only physical objects of design but sensitive emotions and feelings that seem to emerge when students are given a camera to record experiences. Short commercial type essays combined with music, voice over, still shots and 10-20 second video clips become expressive unique & intimate stories. Amazingly all grades can do this type of project with great results. My second graders love it! Daarina Abdus-Samad - Pasadena, CA

Posted By: Jacqueline Taylor
On: 5/17/2008 9:33:34 PM

We took a diverse group ofelementary aged students, grades 6-8 to the archives in the public library where they learned to appreciate real "cut and paste". They viewed original Sanborn Maps to see what their schools had been prior to becomming a New Orleans school. This project was very engaging, We then learned about the various architects that built the schools and visited several with clipboards and cameras. The students loved the adventure! We will continue in the new school year. Jacqueline Taylor, John Dibert School, New Orleans, LA

Posted By: Beverly Cook
On: 5/19/2008 11:13:40 AM

Kieth, I love the idea of a school catalogue. The people behind the names are also fraught with possibilities. Eleanor McMain , for instance, founded Kingsley House (still in existence) and was the only living person to have a school named after her.

Posted By: Beverly Cook
On: 5/19/2008 7:20:06 PM

Yes, I know how to spell your name - I was having a dyslexic moment.

Posted By: Frances Brown
On: 7/24/2008 4:24:29 PM

Since New Orleans is finally beginning to build some new schools, it may be a great idea to have students involved in the design of these buildings. I think the creativity would be a learning experience that would be more meaningful if they have some input on how the design of the building that they enter each day should be.