Activist Artwork Occupies Campus

When 2nd grade students wanted to share more about what they had been learning about activism with the larger school community, teachers combined efforts in a multidisciplinary project wherein each student produced a small, artistic version of themselves, carrying signs of support for a cause they believe in.

 

Students in Brianna Rodriguez’s 2nd grade classroom had been learning about the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. prior to the January holiday observing his accomplishments and memory. This sparked great in-class discussions about the meaning of being an activist and the range of ways people advocate for causes important to them.

 

In the classroom, Rodriguez spent time sharing books about different activists, past and present. In Let The Children March, students learned about the children in 1963 Birmingham, Alabama who marched for civil rights and the end of segregation. They learned about Jasilyn Charger, one of the inspirations behind We Are Water Protectors, and her fight at Standing Rock, as well as Malala’s fight for education for all in Malala’s Magic Pencil.

 

As they explored, many students freely shared experiences they or a family member had with activism. Students learned about common symbols and slogans in activism, as well as their meaning and importance. They spent much time focusing on the importance of hearing every voice, including those of child activists.

 

As they read each book, and discovered new activists, students grew more inspired to put their own voices to work and create artwork to share their message. At this point, Rodriguez invited students in the other 2nd grade classes to join their “protest” and develop activist artwork—an idea Rodriguez’s students generated and Teaching Assistant Emily Cox brought to creative life, consisting of a template small version of each student in protest, supporting a cause they believed in.

 

Rodriguez shared, “I hope that the 2nd graders took away a sense of empowerment that their voice is important and they can use it to stand up for others and for what they believe in. I hope they felt inspired by the many activists around the world and hold on to their messages of peace, nonviolence and action.” She also said these activist artworks are only the beginning, as students plan to take their artwork one step further in developing an opinion writing piece to tell others about the importance of their cause.

 

Student creations are currently on display in the 2nd grade hallway and Upper School math hallway so that others on campus can appreciate their spirit and creativity, or you can view a gallery of the work created here.