The project will engage one class of JFK 9th and 10th graders in
a ELA and SS grade and age appropriate oral history and autobiographic
exploration of their personal lives in the context of their families'
cultural and ethnic experiences.
Through the Bronx Council on the Arts supported residency of Susan
Farley, students will be trained in the techniques of photo essays
as vehicles for digital storytelling and for the ultimate compilation
of an exhibit.
The resident will not only meet with the class over a twelve week
residency period; but will also create a photoessay documenting the
students' investigation of their family stories through interviews,
examination of family documents (ie birth certificates, citizenship
papers, cards, letters, invitations, photo albums), and internet research.
With the support of the resident, the students will develop their
own exhibit which will be shown at the Focal Point Gallery in City
Island and online on their very own Thinkquest site. Beyond this community
awareness of the project and cyberspace presence, the project will
be reported on for the JFK student newspaper.
Its evaluation will include: alignment with Regents and Essay criteria,
alignment to oral history memoir and reflective essay ELA standards,
development of a qualitative arts and curatorial criterion reference
checklist, resident artist feedback and peer/artist/educator review
of student journals. Family members will also be asked to provide
feedback as will cyberspace and on site exhibit visitors.
The project will enhance and expand the students self knowledge and
familial pride as well as develop their literacy based research and
presentation skills through photography and digital storytelling.
It will make them cultural insiders and concretize the school's connection
to family and community.
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Focal Point Gallery Exhibition
