October 22, 2010

By: Lisa M. from Merion Station, PA
Comments: 12

Posted By: Lisa Morein
On: 6/12/2008 12:02:57 PM

I would like to share a project that my students did this past spring after I returned from New Orleans. After attending the ASCD conference in New Orleans, I stayed on in the city for a few days. This was my first post-Katrina trip after having spent many good times there before the storm. When I returned, my students were working on poetry, aligning ourselves with National Poetry Month. Poetry and the trip gave me the idea to have the students do a Katrina project. To start I had students view NOVA's documentary "Hurricane Katrina." While viewing, they were expected to jot down any or all the feelings that rose up for them. After finishing the film, I had students make abstract drawings of their emotions on a blank sheet of paper. However, they had to do these drawings with eyes closed. They were instructed to close their eyes, feel the emotions, and just draw for three minutes. I encouraged them to trust themselves. After drawing, on another sheet of paper, again reflecting on their emotions, they were asked to write about their feelings in a poem regarding the disaster. Students transferred their rough drawings onto 5 x 7 photo cards using Sharpie markers (They don't smear.) Poems were revised, typed and cut out into various designs. Using the drawings as the border, students created a quilt-like mural, with their poems forming the body of the quilt. The project now hangs on the wall of our room and measures approximately 4' x 6'. Students truly involved themselves in this project. I was proud to experience seeing their empathy portrayed in pictures as well as words. This project also gave students ownership of the room. (More on students owning their room in my next conversation.)

Posted By: Ashlee Scott
On: 6/28/2008 4:10:38 PM

I would like to give you kudos on this lesson. I love the strong presence of student voice in the work product. I would love to see the effect that this assignment had on your classroom! This assignment reminded me of the work of a colleague at my school. The 12th grade Government/Economics students at my school do a study of American Government through the lens of Hurricane Katrina using Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke" and create a film of their own in the end. This project inspried many students to go to New Orleans over Spring Break and help with the relief efforts. So when I read your entry it reminded me of the variety of things that could be done using Katrina as a freamwork. I am glad that you used something that you felt close to evoke emotions and responses from the students that they could use in their poetry. Great idea!

Posted By: Lisa Morein
On: 6/29/2008 7:05:12 PM

Hi Ashlee, Thank you for the compliment. The highlight of this project was not so much the product or end result, but the amount of empathy this project evoked from my students. Some of them projected themselves into the situation. For example, one student had the speaker of her poem end by sadly stating that she could not find her sister. The students "got it."

Posted By: caroline vanek
On: 7/2/2008 11:28:31 PM

Lisa, I think what you did with your kids is great. I am a from New Orleans and I could totally see my kids getting into that project. What a great way to incorporate a visual design with a poetic design. I may have to try this next year.

Posted By: Lisa Morein
On: 7/23/2008 11:49:01 AM

Caroline, Where in New Orleans do you teach?

Posted By: caroline vanek
On: 7/23/2008 6:39:58 PM

I teach at the Priestley School of Architecture and Construction. We are a new charter high school beginning our 3rd year in August.

Posted By: susanne donahoe
On: 10/8/2008 11:14:53 AM

our DCD class has recently acquired through local fabric store donations (all you have to do is ask) a large quantity of materials......... we are also making a quilt and are going to donate it to a cause such as this one...........susanne