I would like highlight is our ‘Culture Flags’ from our first unit, discussing connecting culture with self. For this unit I chose to learn more about the students as individuals by instructing them to create three flags that represent their individuality. Students chose to resemble their own culture, personality, and symbolism in order to create flags that will be hung in the classroom and future school events. I am very proud of this assignment because the students truly showed their artistic talent and self-understanding in a displayable, collaborative work that truly shines when the flags are hung together as one. Like the flags that hang in our Canteen and Auditorium they remind us of why we are here, who we are, and the driving force that keeps us together.
Major parts of the IB framework included in this lesson are the key concepts of identity and communication. These flags display personal identity as well as cultural communication of the message between the artist and the audience. Many of the flags were inspired by the history taught by Ms. Gina Smith in her 8th grade classroom. The students were very inspired by the flags they have learned about involving these studies.