My Personal Flag: Designing Symbols of Self and Community
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can you design a personal flag that creatively symbolizes your unique identity and values while reflecting the principles of community and citizenship?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What symbols and colors best represent your personality and values?
- How can you use design to convey feelings and ideas?
- Why is it important for a flag to represent personal or national identity?
- In what ways can creating and sharing a personal flag contribute to your understanding of community and citizenship?
- What steps are involved in researching and designing a flag?
- How do individuals express themselves through artistic and creative projects?
- What does it mean for a flag to symbolize the citizens it represents?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will research and identify symbols and colors that represent their identities and values.
- Students will design a personal flag that symbolizes their identity and personal values.
- Students will present their flag design to the class, explaining the symbolism and choices made.
- Students will explore how their personal flags relate to concepts of community and citizenship.
- Students will gain an understanding of why symbolism is important in flags and how it reflects identities.
Common Core Standards
C3 Framework for Social Studies
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsSymbolic Storytelling
Begin with a storytelling session using flags from different cultures, explaining what each symbol and color represents. Students will create a story about themselves using symbols, which they will later translate into their flag design. This approach connects personal narratives with creative expression, motivating students to delve deeper into symbolism.Flag Design Hackathon
Host a mini 'Flag Design Hackathon' where students are grouped to brainstorm flag concepts based on given themes (e.g., kindness, bravery, friendship). Afterwards, groups will share their designs, justifying their choices. This collaborative event encourages teamwork and innovative thinking, while providing a foundation for individual flag projects.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Color and Symbol Research
Students investigate the meanings behind the symbols and colors they wish to use in their flag designs. This research helps solidify their personal narratives and ensures informed design decisions.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 research journal containing information about chosen symbols and colors, along with reflections on their personal and community significance.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.7 for conducting research and writing findings, and C3.D2.Civ.2.K-2 by examining the impact of individual choices on community identity.Flag Art Creation
This activity involves students creating the final version of their personal flag based on their refined and researched designs, using various art materials.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 completed personal flag that represents the student's identity and values, ready for presentation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLinks with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1 and SL.2.4 as students must articulate and present their designs, and it supports standard C3.D2.Civ.3.K-2 by reflecting personal and community needs through art.Flag Presentation Gala
Students formally present their flags, explaining the symbolism and creative choices to the class and family members. They practice public speaking skills and constructively engage with feedback.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 presentation performance showcasing the personal flag along with clear explanations of design choices and symbolism.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSatisfies CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.4 by delivering a focused presentation, SL.2.1 by participating in collaborative exchanges, and C3.D2.Civ.3.K-2 by explaining the connections between individual identity and community values.Flag Design Workshop
Students will use the symbols and colors identified in the previous activity to draft initial concepts for their personal flags. They use drawing templates and collaborate to refine ideas.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn initial draft of a personal flag design with written notes on the choices made.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.7 through participation in a collaborative design and feedback process, and C3.D2.Civ.2.K-2 by encouraging students to recognize their roles in improving community representation.Symbol Sleuths
Students dive into the world of symbolism by exploring various cultural flags. They identify and list symbols that relate to personal aspects like values and identity.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 list of personal symbols and colors that resonate with each student, accompanied by a reflection on their significance.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1 for participating in discussions and SL.2.4 for recounting experiences and explaining symbolism.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioPersonal Flag Design and Presentation Rubric
Symbol Research and Understanding
Evaluation of the student's research skills and understanding of symbolism in their flag design.Symbol and Color Selection
Assesses the student's ability to select appropriate symbols and colors that represent their identity and values.
Exemplary
4 PointsSelects highly meaningful symbols and colors that are deeply representative of identity and values with clear justification and research-backed significance.
Proficient
3 PointsSelects meaningful symbols and colors that represent identity and values with adequate justification and clear understanding demonstrated.
Developing
2 PointsSelects symbols and colors with some representation of identity and values but with limited justification or understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsSelects symbols and colors without clear connection to identity and values, lacking justification and understanding.
Research Skills
Assesses the student's ability to gather, record, and analyze information from various resources.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional research skills, gathering comprehensive information from diverse resources and presenting it effectively in a research journal.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates solid research skills with information gathered from multiple resources and well-documented in a research journal.
Developing
2 PointsShows basic research skills with limited resources and inconsistent documentation in a research journal.
Beginning
1 PointsDisplays minimal research skills with few resources consulted and poorly documented findings.
Design Creativity and Execution
Assessment of students' artistic design process and the execution of their flag project.Creativity and Design
Evaluates the student's creativity in flag design and integration of chosen symbols and colors.
Exemplary
4 PointsExhibits high creativity with an innovative flag design that effectively integrates symbols and colors in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Proficient
3 PointsDisplays creativity with a well-designed flag that appropriately integrates symbols and colors.
Developing
2 PointsShows some creativity but with a simple design that partially integrates symbols and colors.
Beginning
1 PointsShows little creativity with a basic design that fails to integrate symbols and colors effectively.
Craftsmanship
Measures the quality of the student's work in terms of attention to detail and care in the creation of the flag.
Exemplary
4 PointsShows exceptional craftsmanship with great attention to detail and high quality in flag construction.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates good craftsmanship with attention to detail and quality in flag construction.
Developing
2 PointsExhibits basic craftsmanship with some attention to detail and varying quality in flag construction.
Beginning
1 PointsLacks craftsmanship with minimal attention to detail and poor quality in flag construction.
Presentation and Communication
Assessment of students' ability to communicate their design choices and engage with the audience during presentation.Explanation of Symbols and Design
Assesses how well the student explains the symbolism and design choices of their flag.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a thorough and insightful explanation of symbolism and design choices, demonstrating deep understanding and clarity.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a clear explanation of symbolism and design choices with a solid understanding demonstrated.
Developing
2 PointsExplains symbolism and design choices with some clarity but demonstrates limited understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain symbolism and design choices with minimal clarity or understanding.
Presentation Skills
Evaluates the student's public speaking and engagement during the flag presentation.
Exemplary
4 PointsExhibits outstanding presentation skills with confident delivery, clear articulation, and strong audience engagement.
Proficient
3 PointsDisplays good presentation skills with clear delivery and engagement with the audience.
Developing
2 PointsShows basic presentation skills with some clarity in delivery but limited audience engagement.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates poor presentation skills with unclear delivery and minimal audience engagement.
Collaboration and Reflection
Evaluation of student's ability to collaborate with peers and reflect on their learning process.Collaboration
Assesses the student's ability to work effectively with peers during the design and feedback process.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional collaboration by actively engaging and contributing to peer discussions and feedback processes.
Proficient
3 PointsShows effective collaboration with active participation in peer discussions and feedback.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates in collaboration inconsistently with limited contributions to discussions.
Beginning
1 PointsEngages minimally in collaboration with little to no participation in discussions.
Self-Reflection
Assesses the student's ability to reflect on their learning and design process.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides deep reflection with insightful analysis of learning process and design decisions.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers thoughtful reflection with clear analysis of learning process and design decisions.
Developing
2 PointsShares basic reflection with limited analysis of learning process and design decisions.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides minimal reflection with little analysis of learning process and design decisions.