"Empathy in the Arts" IDEA Day Assignment

empathy: opening one's heart to the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

As the kick-off to our annual IDEA Day Celebration at the end of April, each fifth grade student (along with the rest of the MIddle School) has been assigned to find an example of "empathy in the arts" (a painting, video, picture, poem, fable, movie clip, passage from a book, an article/story, a song, another genre of choice, etc.). 

For homework over the next few days, fifth graders will need to browse at home for a powerful example with parental guidance, support and suggestions. In this respect, this "empathy in the arts" assignment is similar to how the students might select their MacLane poetry- with parental and teacher approval. We will also use class time to browse. This assignment may require use of a computer. 

On Thursday, April 7, I will approve all selections. I will be looking for variety (i.e. everyone should not choose a song). I will accept entries on first-come, first-served basis and advise accordingly. 

Also, there will be a short written component to this assignment that will be done in school. The entire assignment (art + writing) will be turned into a presentation that is to be no longer than 7 minutes from start to finish. Thus, if the art piece is a video, movie etc., it should be long enough to emphasize the idea of empathy, but no so long that it takes more than the required time for the presentation.

If you have any questions, please free to email me. I will also be modeling this assignment and guiding the through the process at school. I hope you enjoy spending time with your child as you search for a powerful example of empathy displayed in art.

For 5,

Kerri Kelly