A Walk-for-Japan
I believe in democracy and equality. I believe in the rights of all individuals entitled to their basic necessities. A Walk for Japan was created to raise awareness for the individuals affected by the tsunami in Japan. Our aim was to raise enough money to provide them with basic needs through the philanthropic donations made by sponsors. Participants would consist of Students and teachers in the Toronto District School Board. Each school would be involved in a Walk-a-Thon on June 14th, 2011 at 12:00pm. Students are to pledge for sponsors’ donations in result of their walk. Each school will hold their own walk in their gym, school yard, or around their community to raise money for food and shelter for those who are affected by the tsunami in Japan. Methods of distributing the information was to firstly contact the School board (Toronto District School Board) and get them onboard with the BIG IDEA and then use the social networking methods of Facebook, Twitter and a list of resources on how to talk about the disaster with students in the classroom. The school that raises the most money for Japan will receive a reward. The reward is a cheque for $1000 that can be used in any way the school. Updates on our social networking page will provide information of where the money is going to, A link for those who are not participating to donate money if they wish (Order form), Constant updates on the amount of money that is being collected and which school is in the lead. We hope that our BIG IDEA extends to a large audience as this cause will help many individuals in Japan that are in need of help.
After the presentation I felt that we needed more information and could have presented our BIG idea more creativity through the arts other that social networking. While watching the other groups lined up before our presentation I felt inferior to other groups and thought their BIG IDEAS were well planned out and very creative, however, our presentation went well, we were prepared and were only asked two questions by the professor. What we could have done differently was added pictures of the destruction in Japan to catch our audience’s attention a bit more and stress how important raising money for this cause really is. We could have shown a clip or video of how Japan has been affected by the tsunami to stress the visual component of our big idea and what impacts Japan is facing. In addition, raising money for Japan is a social issue no matter how it is presented in big posters, powerpoints, or videos. The big message that is projected is the need for the contribution of others to help the justice and peace of the people in Japan to be restored.
The art element described here is balance. Children can be creative in expressing collages, paintings and pictures of what they feel Japan looks like based on the resources given. Children can be creative in their drawings some may represent what they want to see Japan look like (symmetrical) and how they see Japan because of the disaster (asymmetrical). According to Schirrmacher & Fox (2009) “when forms appear to be in proportion to each other, the picture is said have balance, equilibrium, or harmony” (p.143).
Implications for ECE educators can incorporate this idea into the classroom by giving children a voice and allowing them to express their ideas through pictures, paintings and any other form of art that is addressing an issue the class is working on. Children that take part in this activity can feel connected and a part of a cause to help change the world. An example of a big idea educators can create for children to be a part of is an environmental club, where children have a chance to change negative stressors in the environment through posters and petitions. In addition, all children can participate in a big idea like our Walk for Japan as it will raise awareness to children about empathy and other people that are hurt around the world and through video resources and books teachers can educate and discuss these issues in their classrooms.
References
Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009).
Art and creative development for young children (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4soUQrn0ko&feature=related
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