The U.S. "Melting Pot": Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, & Latino Citizens Make Us Great! Pt.1: Arts & Communications
Sometimes the United States is described as a "melting pot", because all of our citizens have immigrated here from other countries (everyone except Native Americans, who already lived in North America). But we could also think about our country as a huge GUMBALL MACHINE, containing so many different tastes and talents from our unique heritages! Utilizing this rich blend of cultural and genetic history, our citizens have made important contributions to the areas of the ARTS, COMMUNICATIONS, SCIENCE. ENGINEERING, and TECHNOLOGY...and many other fields of study. Take pride in how our ancestors overcame obstacles to contribute great advances to our lives, and to the people of the world...and let this inspire you to follow YOUR dream, and contribute positively to our society.
Essential Question
Learn which contributions to the world and our country you think are most important, and how this might contribute to your future career choices, and also to your pride as an American citizen. PART 1 focuses on the areas of Arts and Communications.
Grade(s):
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Student Chromebook / and a cell phone, if available
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Composition notebook/ 8.5 x 11/ new...all clean pages ( this will be part of your evaluation/ project)
*pencil
*pen
*colored pencil, markers, multicultural crayons if possible ( or big box/ crayons/ 64 colors)
*scissors
*glue stick
*various magazines
Lesson Progression
1.CLASS DISCUSSION: Discuss what activities make up "the arts"...both the VISUAL ARTS and the PERFORMING ARTS.
2. CLASS DISCUSSION: Who in the class is taking music , dance, or acting lessons, or a painting, drawing, weaving pottery, photography, or filmmaking class? Or maybe someone has auditioned for a part in a play? Share your arts experiences...also share and DISCUSS your favorite artists of all nationalities, races, and genders with the class.
3. CLASS DISCUSSION: Some jobs do not pay a regularly, predictable salary. Jobs based on the Visual and Performing Arts are some of these jobs. However, if you are TEACHING in a school or university as an arts teacher, the salary is a stable, predictable amount. If you are a PERFORMER, however, you make a living by seeking out different jobs / work opportunities as they become available. How carefully would you have to budget if you were making a living as an actor, musician, or portrait artist if you didn't have a guaranteed amount of salary to count on?
4. SHARE A FAVORITE "DREAM JOB", IF YOU COULD CHOOSE AN "ARTS or COMMUNICATIONS JOB"
5.. Students: begin this lesson by viewing one resource at a time. After each resource viewing:
- Write notes in lesson notebook - mention BASIC POINTS that were covered in the video resource.
-Give an EVALUATION of each presentation ( the amount of information, skill of the speaker, interesting background or props, etc.)
-Give your OPINION after learning a bit about the career... Do you want to explore it further? Would this be an interesting career choice for you, or someone you know?
Teacher Notes
For your info, in case you're not highly immersed or familiar with "the Arts:"
VISUAL ARTS: painting, pottery, photography, printmaking, textiles(weaving) sculpture,
PERFORMING ARTS: drama, dance, vocal music, instrumental music, music composition
VISUAL ARTS + PERFORMING ARTS COMBINED (+technology, for stage or studio lighting, sound, and camera) = choreographer, director, camera operator, set designer, set decorator, costume designer, makeup designer, hair & wig stylist
* Monitor each student's progress regularly by checking their project notebook, and also having a conversation about what has been particularly interesting to them.
www.thoughtco.com/ "melting pot" definition, as a metaphor for USA society
This is a great article explaining how a heterogenous society forms into a functioning homogenous society, even though different racial and ethnic groups still tend to maintain different physical traits (skin, hair, eyes) but come to function in a cohesive way to make a living, get schooling, & perhaps learn new ways of eating, a few new customs, etc.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ The Peace Center for the Performing Arts/ ETV KIDS WORK!
Find out about all the interesting jobs that are available in a large theatre setting, where actors, musicians, dancers, and speakers visit. This facility must hire lighting technicians, sound technicians, carpenters, administrative workers, custodial staff, groundskeepers and many more...to keep this beautiful arts center thriving.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Hewell Pottery/ Digital Traditions
Learn about the life and work of a traditional potter, who creates and sells his pots to make a living.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Evelyn George, a Catawba Potter/ Digital Descriptions
Enjoy this information about the life work of Evelyn George.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Eric Miller, Potter/ Digital Traditions
Yet another potter to learn from....what's his lifestyle, city or country? Why?
View Resourceknowitall.org/ John Fowler, Musician & Storyteller
Would you like to travel from place to place and share stories and songs? Find out how this performing artist enjoys his work.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Carolyn White
This Gullah storyteller uses great expression in her storytelling and songs.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Louise Miller Cohen / Digital Traditions
Louise Miller Cohen is of Gullah descent and enjoys sharing stories and songs to teach other people about the Gullah heritage of SC.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ SISTERHOOD; SC Suffragettes, episode 1/video
This is the first installment of a video series created by Beryl Dakers, who has worked for SCETV as an
on camera host, the creator of NATURESCENE , and now the producer/director of this series about women's fight for the right to vote.
Ms. Dakers' talents of research, writing scripts, and directing were needed to produce this group of episodes about women's rights to vote.
knowitall.org/ Darius Rucker/ SC Hall of Fame
Darius Rucker began his music career playing and singing in a rock band in Columbia, SC, and as the band became famous (HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH), so did he. He now does a solo act, but has a great career as a singer and musician, all over the world.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ VOICES ON CLOTH - Quilting for the Classroom
Peggy Hartwell talks about the techniques and inspiration for making quilts about topics that are meaningful for each quilter.
View Resourceknowitall.org/Marcos Forbes, King of Calypso/ Afro-Latino Travels
Even though this lesson is based upon the history of the U.S., Jamaica and other islands are also closely related places in distance to us. These islands developed rich traditions of music and dance, as Mr. Forbes explains.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Carolina Snaps/ Street Art in SC
A muralist is a person who paints a LARGE picture on a building wall, or the side of a tunnel, or any LARGE surface that wasn't really built to have a painting on it. But it's a wonderful technique to 'spruce up' an old building that looks unkempt, or to express something that the community wants to share with anyone and everyone who comes to visit. It's FUN!
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Alma's Inspiration/ Creating Art with Mr. Dearybury/9:51
This artist has created a TV segment for children with the idea of demonstrating art projects. Sort of a Mr. Rogers, but always focusing on the enjoyment of art and creating things, he is very upbeat. Several lessons follow, but this particular lesson is based on creating collage art from different colors/ patterns of paper
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Creating Art with Mr. Dearybury/ CIRCLES / 10:42
Mr. Dearybury speaks as if he's talking to a class of 2nd or 3rd graders....so if you're OLDER, you can still have fun and explore some creativity with the activities he is providing.
Gather a few lids from the tops of different bottles or container. Mr. Dearybury will show you how to make art from them!
knowitall.org/Creating Art with Mr. Dearybury: Tyree's Trash/ 12:30
A great lesson about using old cereal boxes, butter tubs, lids and caps, etc. to create artworks! Also , there's a short lesson about a real artist named Tyree Guyton who is an artist who produces large and wonderful works of art from USED throwaway items!
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Sisterhood: SC Suffragists...Moving Forward Part 1
Beryl Dakers, a SCETV writer and producer, is the moving force behind this new series about American women finally getting the vote! This panel discussion is a great way to introduce the series, as PART 1 follows this "roundtable" discussion.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Working at SCETV/ Video / 1:31
A videographer who is female is describing her work as a videographer (cameraperson) at South Carolina Educational Television in Columbia, SC. Notice in the video, this looks like a multicultural crew, and also men and women who work at the ETV studios, but in this area, she is the only woman. So, sometimes there may be a gender bias for workers to overcome, or they learn to work with someone of a different culture, country, or religion. Acceptance and understanding we ALL have differences is SO IMPORTANT!
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Are You Ready to go Way Back?/ interview w/ Beryl Dakers, Jim Welsh, & others
this resource highlights the great talent of reporters & researchers at SCETV, who created and hosted numerous "hit shows" and documentaries on different subjects.
View ResourceBeryl Dakers / Black History Month Calendar
Published in the SC African American Calendar:
Please read the LENGTHY LIST of the accomplishments of writer/producer/ director/on-camera host Beryl Dakers, who grew up in the days of SEGREGATION, but persevered with her work and talents, and with a determined spirit, has become a state and nationally recognized talent and treasure.
knowitall.org/ African American History Calendar/ Collection
There are so many people in SC who have contributed to our culture in numerous and important ways.
View Resourceknowitall .org / Creating A Career with the Arts in Mind
Once again, check out the amazing careers, and the variety of people, who make SC and our country GREAT!
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Managing Money: Making Dollars make Sense
This video is about Abbie Bowman, a middle-schooler in SC, who is creating jewelry & selling it in order to donate to charities that she feels are deserving and do good work with people who are having issues with food scarcity, and other problems.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Carolina Money/ Talking Music Entrepreneurship/ 9:06
David Cutler, teaching "music entrepreneurship" at USC, says that making a living out of your particular art form means you have to FIND SOLUTIONS WHERE OTHERS DO NOT! Be creative in order to make a living out of what you love.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ CAROLINA MONEY: Savvy Musician Action teaches Business to Artists
You may want to be a musician as your career, or an artist...but aside from teaching, what other approaches to employment can you figure out? LEARN ABOUT HAVING A PLAN from these great tips.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Euniek Group/ Hip Hop /Carolina Money
Kevin Felder started his own business, THE EUNIEK GROUP, to help others plan for efficient adverting in their businesses, but another personal mission is to compose and record hip hop/ rap music (he calls himself BIG REDD as a rap performer) which shares his Christian beliefs with a younger audience.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ Indie Grits 2016 Artists Interpret Flood's
Filmmakers who participated in the Indie Grits Film challenge of 2016 focused on recalling and interpreting the physical devastation and emotion impact of the 2015 flood in Columbia, SC.
View Resourceknowitall.org/ video/ SCETV SIMILE SLAM! ( League Academy)
Do you like to write poetry, and also like to perform? Watch this Simile competition called SIMILE SLAM!!
View ResourceAssessments
CHOOSE 1 OF THE PROJECTS BELOW TO GET CREDIT FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:
PROJECT A: "Dream Board" - Imagine that you an agent that makes a living helping actors, dancers, and artists to get new jobs and bookings to perform and make their particular art...or get a job in some area of communications. Make a list of performers and artists in any and all of these categories. INCLUDE ASIAN, BLACK, WHITE, & HISPANIC / LATINO artists. The list should include both males and females, and needs to include as many performers as you can find. List them in categories of the particular art form.
-Arrange their names on a project board, along with photos of them, or the type of "arts work " in which they are involved.
-Research the movies/ dances/ gallery openings/ theatre productions /video productions/ TV programs in which each worked,
-Present all the information in an organized, understandable manner, as if you were their AGENT, trying to get these artists the next job in their field of expertise. Add artwork, photos, trimming out the board so that it GRABS ATTENTION!
PROJECT B: "Jumping In" - Volunteer to assist in a school, church, or community production of a play or video, or art exhibit... whether as an actor, dancer, set painter, camera operator, lighting tech, costumer, make-up artist, art gallery volunteer, etc. Offer your time, get to know the people involved, the people in charge, the people who enjoy visiting the activity, etc. KEEP A NOTEBOOK AS YOU PARTICIPATE IN THIS ACTIVITY, of people you met, things you learned, etc.
-Collect "artifacts" ( a program, photos, etc.) and put them into a small scrapbook. Be sure to include
* a description of the activity, and who was involved
* photos
*notes about what you learned participating in this activity
*write a RESUME , as if you were applying for an arts job after your school graduation...include comments about what you learned about "helping out" on your volunteer arts activity.
.