Unit 2 Monumental Declarations: Human Rights Inspired Monuments & Memorials

On Monday 11/9 and Tuesday 11/10 Ms. Held introduced our second unit, Monumental Declarations. Inspired by the theme of Human Rights students will design and create a monument or memorial out of clay using the subtractive additive and slab-building techniques. Students will study how ancient and modern humans have documented and commemorated our basic rights sculptures displayed in public spaces. After an in-depth study of the history of human rights students will choose one of thirty articles outlined in The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and connect it with a significant personal, social or political event or issue they wish to honor through the creation of a miniature clay monument or memorial. Students will learn how to use acrylic paints and acrylic stains to create faux-finishes for their sculptures that might resemble wood, stone, marble, or metal. Students will be encouraged to think about what actions they can take to promote human rights in their own lives and their community. In addition, students will be invited to showcase their monuments at the Orange County Human Rights Commission’s annual Human Rights Art Exhibit in December 2016.

For our first lesson in this unit, the students filled out a Google Form, which asked a variety of questions related to monuments, memorials, human rights, and the role the United Nations plays in promoting human rights globally. In addition Ms. Held shared an interactive PowerPoint. We then watched a video called "What are human rights?" These questions and presentations helped to begin a dialogue about human rights and how artists, throughout history, have commemorated our basic rights. 

Ms. Held's interactive PowerPoint

From 11/12-11/20 Students will work in groups to create and present a Google Slide presentation about monuments/memorials inspired by one of the articles from The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each group member is responsible for researching one monument/memorial.  Students are evaluated as a group and individually based on effort, participation, and meeting required criteria.

For a more information and a complete list of the 30 articles from the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

UDHR