The Positive Train: Finding Hope in Humanity
Project Overview
When you look at the world today, the messages that are communicated via television, internet and general human communication, generally involve the transmission of negative subject matter. It makes one wonder whether anything positive is happening in the world. Hope is the feeling that something good may happen, yet American society often seems to be inundated with fear and the belief that something negative, dangerous or painful may happen. Are we losing hope in humanity? Human beings collectively have the power to impact their circumstances. During this project you will learn how to investigate, create and disseminate positivity in the world around you. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Instead of reacting to your environment, learn to control it.
Project Duration
Approximately 7 weeks
Essential Questions
Common Core Standards
Writing Standards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Speaking and Listening 5 a., 5 b., and 6.
Principle HOHAM Utilized
Significance, Perspective, Evidence, Connection, Supposition, Self Advocacy, Cooperation, Integrity, Intellectual Curiosity, Unlimited Potential
Final Products (This is an invidual project, however you will work in teams throughout.)
Project Overview
When you look at the world today, the messages that are communicated via television, internet and general human communication, generally involve the transmission of negative subject matter. It makes one wonder whether anything positive is happening in the world. Hope is the feeling that something good may happen, yet American society often seems to be inundated with fear and the belief that something negative, dangerous or painful may happen. Are we losing hope in humanity? Human beings collectively have the power to impact their circumstances. During this project you will learn how to investigate, create and disseminate positivity in the world around you. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Instead of reacting to your environment, learn to control it.
Project Duration
Approximately 7 weeks
Essential Questions
- Why does society revolve/appear to revolve around negativity?
- What evidence exists that provides a reason for your generation to have hope in humanity?
- What role can you play in the “boarding of passengers” onto The Positive train?
- To investigate the patterns of negativity that are pervasive throughout society.
- To identify and explain various examples of positivity in the world by highlighting people, events, organizations etc. that make a favorable difference in the world.
- To create art, poetry and media that disseminate positivity.
- To alter the established set of negative attitudes held by society and change the mindset to one of positivity and purpose
Common Core Standards
Writing Standards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Speaking and Listening 5 a., 5 b., and 6.
Principle HOHAM Utilized
Significance, Perspective, Evidence, Connection, Supposition, Self Advocacy, Cooperation, Integrity, Intellectual Curiosity, Unlimited Potential
Final Products (This is an invidual project, however you will work in teams throughout.)
- A mini-presentation on the individual/organization that demonstrates a reason for Hope in Humanity.
- A professional quality art piece that symbolizes the individual/organization from #1.
- A professional quality written piece to be published in a newspaper, magazine or journal.
- A poetically arranged spoken word poetry piece to be performed during exhibition.
- A Calendar page with an inspirational quote that will be combined to create a complete Calendar that will be sold during Exhibition.
- Contact an organization that is connected to your individual/organization and secure and invite them to present to our class and attend our exhibition.
- Create a reproducible piece of InfoArt media for an organization.