
Interactive School Mural Project for K-5 Students
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we collaboratively design and create an engaging and interactive mural that effectively communicates the life, achievements, and themes of our school’s namesake using art, mathematics, technology, and historical research?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we design a mural that creatively represents the life and achievements of our school’s namesake?
- What are the key themes in our school’s namesake's life that should be reflected in the mural?
- How can we make the mural interactive for students of all ages?
- How can mathematics principles such as area and perimeter influence the design and layout of our mural?
- What role do primary and secondary resources play in accurately depicting historical figures and events?
- How can technology be integrated into our mural to enhance its educational value and accessibility?
- In what ways can art be used to communicate historical and cultural information effectively?
- How can we use critical thinking to solve challenges during the design and creation of our mural?
- What innovative methods can we employ to ensure that our mural is informative yet engaging for the entire school community?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will apply mathematical concepts of area and perimeter to design a physically measurable mural layout.
- Learners will engage in historical research using primary and secondary resources to accurately represent the life and achievements of the school's namesake.
- Participants will collaborate using critical thinking to solve practical and creative problems during the mural creation process.
- Learners will explore art and technology to create an interactive and accessible mural that effectively communicates historical themes.
- Students will analyze themes from the historical research and incorporate them into the mural design, ensuring it is informative and engaging.
Common Core Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
National Core Arts Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsMystery of the Empty Canvas
Upon entering the classroom, students find a large blank canvas that acts like a touch screen. Each touch reveals a clue or fragment about the life of the school's namesake. This sparks curiosity and encourages students to delve into research about the person, sourcing material and themes that could be portrayed through the mural.Unlock the Legend: Interactive Mural Challenge
Kick off the project with a surprise visit from a local mural artist who reveals a locked box containing sketches and stories related to the school's namesake. Students must solve perimeter and area puzzles, and research primary resources to unlock various segments of the box, communicating with the artist through virtual Q&A sessions to guide their creative processes.Digital Escape Room: Discover the Story
Students participate in a digital escape room where each room challenges them with puzzles linked to the biography, innovations, and impact of the school's namesake. Completing the escape unlocks tools and ideas for designing sections of the mural, integrating technology and mathematics creatively.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Mathematical Mural Sketch
Students apply their understanding of area, perimeter, volume, and shapes to draft an initial sketch of the mural, emphasizing the layout's measurable components.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA scaled sketch of the mural layout using precise measurements.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.Math.Content.5.MD.C.5 and CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.B.3 by involving real-world mathematical problem solving and understanding of shapes.Thematic Research Expedition
Students delve deeper into the historical context of the school's namesake, utilizing both primary and secondary resources to uncover significant life themes.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA thematic report detailing significant aspects of the namesake's life and contributions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.1 by encouraging in-depth research and theme identification from text.Interactive Technology Design
Students explore innovative technological tools to incorporate interactive elements in the mural, aiming for accessibility and engagement.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA prototype of an interactive mural component incorporating accessible technology.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.3-5-ETS1-1 by addressing design problems with specified success criteria.Artistic Storytelling
Students learn the art of storytelling through visual means, integrating all researched themes and technologies into the mural's design.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed storyboard and visual draft of the mural incorporating researched themes and stories.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity connects with NCAS.VA:Pr4.1.5 by requiring artistic decision-making and connecting art to personal and historical experiences.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioInteractive Mural Design Rubric
Mathematical Application
Assessment of students' ability to apply mathematical concepts such as area, perimeter, and scaling in the mural design process.Understanding of Concepts
Evaluate the students' comprehension of mathematical concepts related to geometry and measurement.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated understanding and innovative application of area, perimeter, and scaling concepts.
Proficient
3 PointsShows thorough understanding and consistent application of area, perimeter, and scaling concepts.
Developing
2 PointsExhibits emerging understanding and occasional application of area, perimeter, and scaling concepts.
Beginning
1 PointsShows initial understanding and struggles with applying area, perimeter, and scaling concepts.
Application of Measurements
Evaluate the students' ability to measure and scale accurately in creating the mural layout.
Exemplary
4 PointsUtilizes precise measurements and exceptional scaling techniques in the mural layout.
Proficient
3 PointsUses accurate measurements and proper scaling techniques in the mural layout.
Developing
2 PointsApplies measurements and scaling techniques with occasional errors.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with measurements and scaling techniques, often resulting in errors.
Historical Research and Interpretation
Assessment of students’ research skills and ability to draw thematic connections from historical texts and sources.Research Depth and Accuracy
Evaluate the quality and depth of students' research utilizing primary and secondary resources.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts comprehensive research with accurate use of primary and secondary resources, showing exceptional depth.
Proficient
3 PointsPerforms thorough research with effective use of primary and secondary resources.
Developing
2 PointsShows limited research with some application of primary and secondary resources.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates minimal research with inaccurate or superficial use of resources.
Thematic Connection
Assess students' ability to effectively connect historical research to the themes represented in the mural.
Exemplary
4 PointsInnovatively connects historical research to mural themes, providing insightful interpretations.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively connects research findings to mural themes, with clear interpretations.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to connect research findings to mural themes with limited clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to connect research findings to mural themes, lacking clarity.
Artistic and Technological Integration
Evaluation of students’ ability to incorporate art and technology effectively in the mural design to create an engaging and accessible interactive display.Artistic Creativity and Storytelling
Assess students' creativity and effectiveness in visual storytelling within the mural design.
Exemplary
4 PointsDisplays remarkable creativity with compelling visual storytelling, integrating diverse elements seamlessly.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates good creativity and effective visual storytelling, integrating key elements coherently.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging creativity with basic visual storytelling and integration of elements.
Beginning
1 PointsLacks clear artistic direction and storytelling, with minimal integration of elements.
Technological Implementation
Evaluate students' application of technology to enhance mural interactivity and accessibility.
Exemplary
4 PointsImplements technology creatively and effectively, resulting in highly engaging and accessible interactivity.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively applies technology, providing functional and accessible interactive features.
Developing
2 PointsUtilizes basic technology with limited effectiveness for interactivity and accessibility.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with technology application, offering minimal interactive features.
Collaboration and Problem Solving
Assessment of students’ ability to work collaboratively to solve challenges during the mural design process.Teamwork and Communication
Evaluate students’ ability to communicate and collaborate effectively within their group.
Exemplary
4 PointsExhibits leadership and effective communication, fostering a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
Proficient
3 PointsCommunicates well and collaborates effectively, contributing positively to team efforts.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates in teamwork with basic communication, contributing irregularly to team processes.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with effective communication and consistent contribution within the team.
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Assess students' ability to think critically and solve practical and creative problems during the mural design and creation process.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated critical thinking, solving complex challenges innovatively and efficiently.
Proficient
3 PointsExhibits effective problem-solving skills, addressing challenges with sound critical thinking.
Developing
2 PointsShows developing problem-solving ability, addressing challenges with basic critical thinking.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with basic problem-solving, requiring support to address challenges.