Native and Indigenous "LAND"scape  

What?
  • A unit to better understand the experiences of People in our immediate and global community that are native american/indigenous people.
  • An opportunity to develop empathy and and better understand the history of these people as well as their current lives.
  • A way to educate ourselves on the importance of land and the roles of treaties in the US and around the world.
Why?
  • ​Because we live in an ever changing world and it is our RESPONSIBILITY as christians to listen, learn and Act so that people might know and feel the love that god has promised to All.
  • we live and study on the land of native americans every day. we should educate ourself more on the impact this has on the native populations in and around the seattle area. 
this is something BCS is COMMITTED to doing. See the document below in the inclusion unit (or click here) That was distributed to all teachers to display in our classes. 
How?
  • ​WE WILL START WITH a survey similar to all of our units
  • We will learn more about Native and indigenous lands and their importance by watching some videos and doing our own research.
  • We will also have an assignment to create a "Land"scape in illustrator
    • We will find a photo of a landscape, identify the indigenous peoples who lived/live on that land and create a digital landscape with information that can help educate and inform people of the land's history. See examples below.

Character Illustrating

WHY?
When?
  • TUTORIALS DUE AFTER 3-4 class periods
    • Make sure you do all of them and save the files you created.
  • Fully Designed/Colored Character DUE after 3-4 Class Periods
What?
  • a unique Illustrated character
    • doesn't have to be human but should have human qualities
    • Consider the "vibe" of your character and do some research on different styles
    • Maybe give your character a back story or a side kick or maybe it's based on you/ 
    • Have Fun showing off your creativity!
    • Check out the awesome unique character examples below 
How?

STEP 1: Follow each of the below tutorials and save the corresponding files. Click title for the videoSTEP 2: Using your brown journal (in the cabinets) sketch out your character ideas. You need to show at least 3 variations of sketching before BEGINNING in Illustrator. 
  • Once you complete your sketch you can put it on the tablet and sketch over it OR Take a picture and place it in the background to build your character over
STEP 3: Using Illustrator, add color, texture, shadows, background, etc...

Create Your own Website

Why?
  • The WEEBLY site lets you to show off your design AESTHETIC  without coding or intense tutorials
  • your personal website will allow you to display your work from class projects
  • It is something you can edit, revise, and redesign throughout the semester as you learn more 
  • Students hoping to go into a creative profession can begin amassing PORTFOLIO materials 
  • finally, The world around us is digital, understanding websites and their POSSIBILITIES can help us be better and more informed users. 
How? 
WHEN?
DEPENDS ON EACH STUDENT, APPROXIMATELY 3-4 classes
NOTE:
I believe in the power of choice, as well as, students advocating for their best learning experience. I also BELIEVE in a safe and CONDUCIVE LEARNING environment. I WILL GIVE YOU THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE THESE DIFFERENT learning OPTIONS AS YOU SEE FIT. THIS FREEDOM REMAINS AS LONG AS YOU ARE USING YOUR CLASS TIME WISELY, I CAN SEE YOU MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD THE PROJECT REQUIREMENTS, and you are not disrupting the class environment. Choose the option that leads to your best work and be willing to adjust and relearn as you go. 
WHAT?
The below items must be included in your personal website. ADDITIONAL items or deviation should be discussed with mrs. fiechtner. Anything is an option once you have a base site. 
  • 10 pts: SITE NAME, Unique (and appropriate) 
  • 10 Pts: About page
    • Your First name only. No personal emails, numbers or social media! (we will talk about why in class)
    • A write up or INFOGRAPHIC about you, your interests, favorite quote/book/food, a fun fact, place you want to visit, idea you have, with pictures or graphics
      • MUST INCLUDE ONE OR ALL OF YOUR DEEP HOPES
  • 20 pts: Project/ PORTFOLIO page
    • a "stand in" gallery in this area to show how you will display projects/photos
      • You can use your own pictures or
      • Properly credited images from the internet
    • Every project/picture will include 
      • a DESCRIPTION section
      • a personal reflection 
  • ​20 PTS: Process PAGE
    • This is where you will post inspiration images, tutorials you complete, different versions of your projects that didn't make the final cut, and anything else that is not a finial product.
  • 40 Pts: Overall Design
    • ​Fonts are cohesive and APPROPRIATELY sized
    • Colors work together and enhance the design
    • Layouts are logical and user friendly
    • overall design shows intentional selection, revision, adjustment, and attention to detail

Ability Diversity PSA  

What?
  • As a Reflection of the research, FIRST HAND experience, and Guest Speakers we heard from Last week, you are going to make a PSA (publics service Announcement) about Ability Diversity. 
    • The poster SHOULD be 11 x 17
    • You can use Powerpoint, Indesign or Illustrator
    • It should include at least one fact(and your source small at the bottom or a QR code)
    • See Examples Below, They can be simple and STRAIGHTFORWARD,
      • Think of someone walking by, they should be able to read and understand your poster quickly

Ability Diversity  

What?
  • A unit to better understand the experiences of People in our immediate and global community that have physical impairments, neurological differences and mental disorders.
  • An opportunity to develop empathy and make tangible suggestions and/or provide information to help make BCS and our homes more inclusvise physical spaces.
Why?
  • ​Because we live in an ever changing world and it is our RESPONSIBILITY as christians to listen, learn and Act so that people might know and feel the love that god has promised to All.
  • we have to actively fight Bias, Discrimination, and misinformation by better educating ourselves. 
this is something BCS is COMMITTED to doing. See the document below in the inclusion unit (or click here) That was distributed to all teachers to display in our classes. 
How?
Below are several websites to help you further understand ability diversity.
Picture
This is a quick facts list about physical disabilities.
Picture
If you are interested in a deeper dive into disability laws in the US, this is an amazing documentary.
Picture
This is a cool idea for tangibly supporting teens who struggle with mental illness.
This is a great video of a BCS grandparent who uses the assistance of a seeing eye dog.
JAck.org is a great youth led organization bringing awareness to mental health.
Picture
A very informative article with video and book suggestions.

INCLUSION  

What?
  • ​A discussion about the rise in anti-Asian crime and discrimination. 
    • We will use this site/video to guide our discussion during class
  • An opportunity to create a visual that will hang in our classroom and remind us of the importance of inclusion.
How?
  • ​We will create visual REPRESENTATIONS to hang on our classroom walls using Adobe Illustrator. 
  • These will be typograms of words that imply or support inclusion. Read more about typograms here.
Why?
  • ​Because we live in an ever changing world and it is our RESPONSIBILITY as christians to listen, learn and Act so that people might know and feel the love that god has promised to All.
  • we have to actively fight Bias and Discrimination. 
this is something BCS is COMMITTED to doing. See the document below (or click here) That was distributed to all teachers to display in our classes. 

Principles of Design  

Why?
​Because you need to understand the principles and elements of design
HOW?
do the below READ, WATCH AND REVIEW before starting your assignment.  BE SURE TO READ THOROUGHLY AND WATCH tHE VIDEO IN its ENTIRETY. ​
Read:
The Elements of Design are like the parts of a car: STEERING Wheel, Transmission, tires, gas, engine, seats. Every car requires these things to run. But the way these Elements are arranged or designed will vary depending on the model and make. A Project can have the elements of design: line, shape, Color... but not utilize the PRINCIPLES of design well: Balance, RHYTHM, contrast. In other words, just because the car runs doesn't mean it is AESTHETICALLY pleasing, the same is true in graphic design.  
watch:
This series is very helpful! We will watch more throughout the semester But You only have time for this one today. vIdeo from GCFLearnFree.org
REview:
Click the first image for an overview of the Design PRINCIPLES. Refer back to these as you create your document.
​Click the second image for a more in-depth description, SPECIFIC to graphic design. We will come back to this throughout the semester. If you want or need more information, take a look today.  
Picture
What?
  • 4 compositions, Each Representing a unique PRINCIPLE of Design
    • These are all in one Illustrator document
      • We Will set the page up with 4 "art Boards"
      • We will also make the shapes together in class before you begin your compositions
  • See the examples Below if you are confused
    • These Are GUIDEs, MAKE YOURS UNIQUE. SIMILARITY IS OK, BUT THERE SHOULD BE CLEAR DIFFERENCES.
  • KEEP THE SHAPE THE SAME!
    • You ​can change the color and scale, rotate the shape, add a background....
    • Do Not  Add  additional shapes
  • To get a jpeg follow the below steps
    • ​File >  Export> EXPORT FOR SCREENS
      • ​Change Format to JPEG 100
      • EXPORT TO: DESktop or One Drive
  • 20 Pt Participation Grade

"CELEBRATING BLACK VOICE" Poster

WHY?
  • ​To learn more about the contribution of African Americans.
  • So others at BCS can visually celebrate Black voices (these will hang in the commons)
  • A way to learn about Adobe IN DESIGN
When?
  • DUE Mar. 5th, ​Poster Should be printed, laminated and hung on the outside wall 
What?
  • A Poster that informs and celebrates a black american.
    • Ms. Fiechtner will provide a list of names in a variety of catagories 
    • There will be one student per person
How?
  • Using IN DESIGN you will create an informational poster.
    • We will look at examples and find inspiration during class
  • Students will then gather Information about their choosen person.
  • Once sufficent content is gathered, students will arrange it on their informational poster in whatever way best celebrates Black Voice and draws a viewer in to learn more.
    • See Examples below and research more on your own to find a style that suits your choose voice.

CULTURAL Word Mosaic

WHY?
  • ​To learn more about each other and begin to discuss cultural Intelligence
  • To begin using ILLUSTRATOR
    • Each project will build a new skill. this one involves the most basic elements of design, line, shape, and color
  • It gives us a chance to look at a form of art that has been around for centuries.
What?
  • A mosaic using congruent shapes 
    • See examples below
  • A word or short phrase that describes your Culture
    • We will be sharing in class, & this word/visual will be used to tell a greater story about you.
  • Colors and shapes that reflect your culture and support your word.
When?
  • DUE FEB 5th
    • ​You will share your final piece on teams. But save the file so you can add it to your website later.
How?
  • Using Illustrator or INK SCAPE create a word mosaic that utilizes 1-3 shapes ONLY
    • ​These shapes will be copied, resized, and rotated until you have a mosaic composition
  • You should choose 2-4 colors only
  • The overall pieces should be readable, so think about letter size and contrasting colors to make the word stand out from the background.
THERE ARE SO MANY POSSIBILITES AND DIRECTIONS YOU CAN TAKE. START WITH THE CULTURE PRESENTATION YOU FILLED OUT. LOOK FOR IDEAS OR CUES FROM THAT, THINK ABOUT MAKING SOMETHING THAT WOULD CELEBRATE YOUR CULTURE. REMEMBER THAT WE WILL SHARE THESE THINGS IN CLASS, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU.
  • REMEMBER ALL THESE THINGS SHAPE YOUR CULTURE:
    • MUSIC, ART, RELIGION, ETHNICITY (AMERICAN, ETHIOPIAN...), YOUR ABILITIES OR DISABILITIES, HOLIDAYS, CELEBRATIONS, CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, HUMOR, WAYS OF COMMUNICATING, LANGUAGE, CLOTHING, FOOD...

LOGISTICS...

Picture
The shear complexity of some ancient mosaics is awe inspiring! We aren't looking to get this complex, but as designers, we should draw from the examples we have. These simple shapes beautifully detail Theodora and others participating in the eucharist.  (550AD)
THis piece by Gerald Trottier called "The Pilgrimage of Man" is a great example of Modern Mosaic work. The imagery changes but the method is the same!
Idea from Adobe Education Exchange. The Above example was provided By Adobe.
 Picture
I made the above image with my 9 year old son. HE chose the word Amazing. It is written in Amharic, which is the native language of Ethiopia where he was born. He chose the word because "Ethiopia has amazing things." We thought of the common images of Ethiopa Ancient art, like the one above.

The image to the right is part of my family culture. When my kids leave for school I ask them two things. "what do we be?" They say "Kind". Then I ask "What do we do when people need help?" They reply, "We help them." These phrases are a part of who we are as a family and it is our tradition to say them before they leave for school.

Next Steps...

The two images below were created by teacher Sarah Jacobs and are great examples of next steps you could take with the digital mosaic idea!