Overview
A story about a sick child motivates students to create holiday calendars
for hospitalized kids. Learning to use appropriate software, researching
holidays, and working with a visiting artist make this project an
authentic experience in community service learning
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For more about this special from
Community Portraits in Pictures and Words, e-mail
Lambros Alex Pappas, author
and AT&T Teacher Disseminator. |
Learning
Standards
Learn to respect and value diverse cultures and recognize the
diversity of human experience.
Employ arts to communicate beliefs, experiences, ideas and imagination.
Employ various formats and technologies to complete and enhance
work.
Understand and use the writing process effectively.
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Classroom
Activities
After reading Carousel, a book about a sick child who
is cheered by a beautiful gift, students canvass their peers to determine
which holidays they celebrate. Through Internet research and oral
interviews, they create lists of holidays and festivals for |
their calendars. Software helps collaborative groups design,
caption, and produce calendars illustrated with their own art. A visiting
artist shares skills and techniques during the illustration process.
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Community
Activities
By exploring cultural diversity and creating calendars for children
who are sick, students lessen their own isolation and learn to value
human interaction and compassion.
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Careers
Children understand the importance of portfolios when a visiting artist
shares work from his own portfolio. |
Materials
Carousel by Brian Wildsmith, 1998: Oxford University Press;
Carnival from World of Holidays series
by Catherine Chambers, 1998: Raintree/Steck Vaughn; calendar examples,
writing and drawing material |
Technology
Students research holidays on the Internet, use Calendar Creator for
their calendars, and scan their own illustrations with Photoshop and
Adobe Illustrator. |
Assessment
Students save their work in a portfolio that is regularly checked.
Teacher and students evaluate calendars for accuracy and holiday inclusion.
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Web Sites
Students research holidays and observances
at a Society
and Cultures Holiday web site.
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