Embedded Files
The Story
August 2017, Central Virginia. School doors opened, students arrived and teachers introduced, withthe assistance of John Legend, the year long PBL project, Let 'Em Shine. Some teachers started the conversation with soft jazz, others with pipe cleaners, glitter and glue and another with a reflective writing prompt. "If you could change anything about your school day, what would it be?" Marco responded that he'd appreciate more freedom and choice. Another student added, "Can I decide when assignments are due?"
Surprisingly, student replies aligned perfectly with teacher goals for the Let 'Em Shine project. Rethink and evaluate every decision point during the student learning experience. As teachers, ask ourselves, "Is there an opportunity to provide student choice? An opportunity to customize based on student interest?" If yes, then rethink, revise and maximize student choice. When possible, let students drive the bus.
Choice Point
Choice Point
What story is the most meaningful to you?
What story is the most meaningful to you?
What story is already being told in our community?
What story is already being told in our community?
Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia
Every community has their unique character. The buildings, monuments, art and statues often tell the story of who and what came before, as well as the current atmosphere. In our community, Charlottesville and Albemarle County, VA it is hard to ignore the impact of Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia. Due to this influence we have beautiful architecture and buildings, but there are other stories being told that might be difficult to interpret, obscure, controversial, strangely located , hidden, and forgotten. Examples follow below.
Interpretation: Who is this? What is it memorializing? This is a statue of Icarus on the University of Virginia campus. Did you guess it is a memorial to World War I veterans? Even UVA alumni do not know the significance
Obscure: What is this? The Foster Family memorial is located next to the South Lawn at the University of Virginia. The Foster's were a freed black family who worked as low wage laborers at UVA. The memorial is designed as a minimalist mock up of their home, which is supposed to change over time.
Controversial: Why this statue in this place? The Robert E. Lee statue was donated to Charlottesville in 1924 by John Goodloe McIntire. His original placement was celebrated by the white citizens of Charlottesville. After demands to move the statue, a race riot resulted in the death of three people.
Strangely located: What came first the statue or the road? Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Sacagawea observe the flow of traffic at a busy intersection. The statue arrived first, but with the current road formation it is almost impossible to interact with the monument.
Hidden: Do you know the history of George Rodgers Clark? He was the brother of William Clark and lived in Albemarle County, but why this statue? It is located across from a pizza restaurant, but no one seems to notice. Interestingly, this story is told by the same designer as the Robert E. Lee statue.
Forgotten: The Daughters of Zion cemetery is a forgotten memorial established in 1873 by freed black citizens of Charlottesville. Over time the cemetery was forgotten but with a dedicated group of women and a grant the story is being told again.
Choice Point
Choice Point
Which community monuments do you want to explore?
Which community monuments do you want to explore?
The Story
When we visit memorials, we generally ask ourselves a couple questions. "Whose story is being told?" seems to the starter query. Followed by, what is the significance of the design? It's easy to answer the first question, but the second one takes practice. For that reason, students spent at least one day in a field experience learning how to interpret the stories embedded in monuments in the region. Sites included the Mall in Washington D.C., Richmond, the state capital, and Charlottesville, VA. A culminating goal for students during these excursions included an evaluation of monuments based on how well the story was represented through design concept, location, and overall appeal.
Students interpreting the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC.
Field Experience Details:
- Charlottesville, VA - With the help of local experts students explored our various monuments and memorials as well as the design for a future memorial dedicated to the African American workers who helped build and maintain the University of Virginia.
- Richmond, VA - The state capital of Virginia is known for Monument Avenue historic district which showcases six statues. Five of the statues are monuments to Civil War Confederate generals and the last statue was added in 1996 to memorialize the first African American to win Wimbledon, Arthur Ashe.
- Washington, DC - Charlottesville, VA is located two and a half hours away from our nations capital. We worked with the National Park Service to plan a guided exploration of the numerous monuments and memorials. We included building design with the American Indian Museum as a part of the exploration.
Choice Point
Choice Point
Write about the monument, of your choice, that tells the story best.
Write about the monument, of your choice, that tells the story best.
The Story
On each field trip students selected a monument or memorial s/he felt best told a story. Each student had to develop an argument to defend the story through design, location, and overall impact.
Choice Point
Choice Point
Choose to spend time in conversation with a professional.
Choose to spend time in conversation with a professional.
The Story
As we explored the monuments and memorials students were able to interact with a variety of professionals who assisted in not only sharing the story of the statues, but their personal career paths. This helped expose students to a variety of careers connected to designing, building, maintaining and interpreting monuments. Students also developed a better appreciation for what and who can be memorialized.
Expert Lens
In Washington, DC the National Park Service Guides helped explain the history, design, and location of the various monuments and memorials allowing students to develop their own interpretation.
At Montpelier students interacted with an archaeologist who was working to tell the story of an enslaved citizen of James Madison's Montpelier.
Students experimented with podcast production and digital media in the professional sound booth where various podcasts are produced, including Our Weekly Constitutional.
Student Showcase
Students worked with state and local government officials and the Charlottesville Mural Project to secure approval of their Mural of Unity design. After approval of location and design they consulted and partnered with a local artist to help in the execution of their design in a public space.
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