At New Directions Secondary School, CWP students in grades 8-11 drew self- portraits before writing personal description alliteration poems. This project was used to address the difference between how students see themselves and how they think they are perceived. After completing this project, students reflected on and shared their drawings with the whole group.
This project was able to connect critical and creative thinking regarding introspection and the ability to translate thought onto a page using imagery. The students were able to connect to literacy and emotional intelligence through their communication with and ability to interpret visual imagery. Sharing as a group connected this project to community. Jashua Sa-Ra, the teaching artist, is proud of the students’ willingness to be reflective and vulnerable.
