Make Cycle #2 Archive: Make a Visual Impact

The second summer Make Cycle for Letters to the Next President 2.0 encouraged us to take a moment and reflect where you are in the midst of all the presidential election mayhem. Here is archive of what happened as well as related resources you are welcome to use/remix as needed this fall:

This week’s make is about reflection and making a visual that represents who you are and what you believe as a constituent. After all, how can anyone make an informed choice without taking the time to consider where they stand on various issues?

So who are you as a constituent? How does what you make reflect that?

This week, you have two makers joining you on this visual #2NextPrez cycle.

• As a ninth grade English Facilitator, Janelle Bence makes portrait photography, writes, cooks, choreographs, and most recently, almost obsessively, makes Mala. She designs projects for her learners where they are challenged to find their voices and take action to raise awareness and impact change of global issues. Understanding that various voices utilize diverse platforms for articulating messages, Janelle encourages the making of various media and genre to support her students’ civic engagement.
• As director of the San Diego Area Writing Project and co-learner/co-teacher in a multiage class of first, second, and third graders, Kim Douillard makes photo challenges, takes photos obsessively, writes, collaborates, and is always thinking about and working to support teacher leadership. With her teaching partner, she designs learning opportunities that extend beyond the walls of the classroom and offers opportunities for students to make a difference in their community and beyond. Knowing that learning comes from doing, Kim emphasizes making and producing rather than consuming when it comes to integrating digital tools in the classroom.

Make with Us

Rarely are we invited to pause and consider what our perspectives are on a particular issue. Rarely are we asked to contemplate why we hold these beliefs or think on how our values are at play. Rarely are we invited to articulate all of this through making.

Choose one or all (or none and make up your own!) invitations below. Just have fun making and try to focus on communicating visually who you are as a constituent.

Places to Connect and Share

Here are places where you can connect with other educators and share what you make:

• L2P 2.0 Summer Make Cycles Facebook Group
• Twitter via #2nextprez

Archives of Live Events

• From Voice to Influence: Media, Learning, and Participatory Politics
• Make a Visual Impact Twitter Chat

We are excited to make and connect with you!

Janelle Bence, @Janelle, North Star of Texas Writing Project
Kim Douillard, @kd0602, San Diego Area Writing Project

Invitations

Invitation #1: Make Political Art

Consider these nine campaign issues from KQED Education’s Low Down. Which one is particularly important to you? Create a piece of political art representing your views on that particular issue.

Created by Jarred Meyer #boydbence

What exactly is political art you may ask? Check this KQED ART School video about 5 Steps to Make Political Art. Remember your art could be analog or digital, but please take a pic to share.

Created by Anika Biju #boydbence

Invitation #2: Remix Your Camera Roll

Peruse the pictures on your mobile device. Choose a few that stand out. Remix these images into a collage, digital poster, meme, etc. to create an image that reflects your values.

Three images related to my role as a teacher: interest in the environment (pollinators and the creation of a pollinator garden at school); making circuits with students and having them be doers, innovators; a service project where our students made sachets and sold them to raise money to support micro loans. — Kim Douillard

Share a simple story like Kim. Or check out a tool like Canva, Pic Collage, and/or Instagram to help you go further with your make!

Photoblitz Learning Walk by Kevin’s Meandering Mind

Invitation #3: Community Connection

Open a local newspaper. Take a stroll. Watch the news. Attend a community event.

Look and listen for issues important to your community. What can you learn if you pay close attention to those around you, noticing their actions and telling stories?

Check out Kim Douillard’s Beach Study: People

And annotations on this article from last weeks’ Make Cycle about How Student Debt Became a Presidential Campaign Issue.

Created by Daniela Villarreal #boydbence