Mixed Media Self-Portrait Lesson
Grades: 2-5
This lesson focuses on the social justice issue of identity. Through lessons of mixed-media portraits, I aim to teach students about the importance of self-identity and exploring identity to build confidence in embracing who they are and respecting differences among one another. Another goal through these lessons is to enable each student to connect with and understand their own ethnic heritage and cultural background and all the characteristics that are unique to them as individuals. Self-identity is an important social justice issue because a person’s identity is made of many components. For example, a student can describe herself as being American because she lives in the United States-- however, she can also define herself as being a student or a basketball player if she attends school or is an athlete. Other components that are part of identity also include gender, religion, and ethnic background.
I prepared the lessons by scaffolding activities of self-exploration and self-interests such as starting Day 1 with the “Who Are You? Who I am” introduction game. I also focused the lesson on this topic by having students draw their own face and things that symbolize who they are and also collect small objects to piece it all together to create a self-portrait identity collage. To further inspire them, I incorporated a presentation on mixed-media contemporary artists and their subject matter of portrait and identity with different aesthetics and techniques students can use in their own artwork. This social justice theme is important in that the opportunity to explore some open-minded topics such as being “transgender” or being a part of a family of “immigrants” make a powerful impact in helping students realize and respect all unique aspects of identity. Students can also learn the difference between social identity (race, gender, age) and personal identity (traits, behaviors, beliefs, values) and how they impact how we interact with others in the community.
I prepared the lessons by scaffolding activities of self-exploration and self-interests such as starting Day 1 with the “Who Are You? Who I am” introduction game. I also focused the lesson on this topic by having students draw their own face and things that symbolize who they are and also collect small objects to piece it all together to create a self-portrait identity collage. To further inspire them, I incorporated a presentation on mixed-media contemporary artists and their subject matter of portrait and identity with different aesthetics and techniques students can use in their own artwork. This social justice theme is important in that the opportunity to explore some open-minded topics such as being “transgender” or being a part of a family of “immigrants” make a powerful impact in helping students realize and respect all unique aspects of identity. Students can also learn the difference between social identity (race, gender, age) and personal identity (traits, behaviors, beliefs, values) and how they impact how we interact with others in the community.
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ETHNOGRAPHIC REPORT
Two locations where we are teaching these lessons are Whittier Elementary School in Long Beach and Compound, a community center in Long Beach. Whittier Elementary is a public school that is a part of the Long Beach Unified School District and includes grades K-5. According to the most recent SARC report from 2019-2020, there are a total of 859 students where 65.9% are Hispanic/Latino, 18.2% are Asian, 11.1% are Black/African American, 1% are White/Caucasian, and less than 1% are Filipino or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander or More Races. Socioeconomically disadvantaged group is 88.5% of total enrollment, 32.2% are English Learners, 16.9% are Students with Disabilities, 7% are Homeless, and 1.2% are Foster Youth.
The school is physically located less than 4 miles from the Long Beach Airport and about half a mile from Long Beach City College (Pacific Coast Campus). It is also less than 2 miles from the beach and 3 miles away from the Aquarium of the Pacific. Stores such as Dollar Tree, Salvation Army Thrift Store, and Never No Thrift Store along with independent restaurants serving Mexican food are the types of businesses nearby. A park with a pool and play equipment called Martin Luther King Jr. Park is also close by to the school.
Two locations where we are teaching these lessons are Whittier Elementary School in Long Beach and Compound, a community center in Long Beach. Whittier Elementary is a public school that is a part of the Long Beach Unified School District and includes grades K-5. According to the most recent SARC report from 2019-2020, there are a total of 859 students where 65.9% are Hispanic/Latino, 18.2% are Asian, 11.1% are Black/African American, 1% are White/Caucasian, and less than 1% are Filipino or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander or More Races. Socioeconomically disadvantaged group is 88.5% of total enrollment, 32.2% are English Learners, 16.9% are Students with Disabilities, 7% are Homeless, and 1.2% are Foster Youth.
The school is physically located less than 4 miles from the Long Beach Airport and about half a mile from Long Beach City College (Pacific Coast Campus). It is also less than 2 miles from the beach and 3 miles away from the Aquarium of the Pacific. Stores such as Dollar Tree, Salvation Army Thrift Store, and Never No Thrift Store along with independent restaurants serving Mexican food are the types of businesses nearby. A park with a pool and play equipment called Martin Luther King Jr. Park is also close by to the school.
Compound is a cultural sanctuary just 1.5 miles from Whittier Elementary. Located in between areas of industrial buildings and neighborhood of homes it is in the Zaferia District of Long Beach. Their mission statement is “We are driven by the belief that culture shifts consciousness. Culture provides a communal context to reexamine and ultimately better ourselves, our purpose, and our communities. Our approach is holistic and inclusive. We offer contemporary art exhibitions and immersive experiences, classes and workshops in the healing arts, performances, dining, and spaces to wander and reflect-- all in effort to promote connection, belonging, curiosity, and growth.” (Compound, n.d.) This center is W.A.G.E. certified meaning they publicly recognize demonstrating a commitment to paying artist fees that meet W.A.G.E. payment standards. W.A.G.E. stands for Working Artists and the Greater Economy and is a NY-based organization founded in 2008 that advocates for artists receiving fair compensation for exhibiting their work.
Although Compound is open to the community members of all ages, our classes included students in grades K-12.
Although Compound is open to the community members of all ages, our classes included students in grades K-12.