Benchmark 1:
Polished Narrative
Benchmark Objectives (or, What your teachers want you to gain from doing this assignment)
Note: All three Building Blocks should be completed or nearly completed before beginning this benchmark.
You will create a narrative in any format you see fit (Multi-media, written, photo, audio, etc.) that you will present briefly in front of your classmates.
1) Proposal: First decide on your narrative’s format. Verbally explain your plan to each IT teacher and get approval.
2) Build Your Narrative: In the narrative you must synthesize the three building blocks contained in this benchmark (pre-narrative, family heirloom, and interviews). Look for common threads or themes that run through each. These will help you tie each building block together to construct your story. For help on identifying the themes in your three pieces see the “suggested process” below. The narrative should be in polished final draft form.
3) Presentation: You will present your narrative in front of the class. During these presentations your classmates will be taking notes about the themes they identify in your narrative.Their notes will also reflect which presentations most resonate with them, and why. * This information will be used to discuss potential grouping for the next benchmarks, i.e. the notes are vital to the future of this project! *
Benchmark 1 must be signed off by Deichler, Napoleon, and Hadid
Suggested Process
for Identifying Themes in Your Building blocks
1. Read the document titled “Finding Themes” and watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qME64SkxM
2. Go back and examine each of your building blocks: Reread your pre-narratives, listen to your interview, read and review your heirloom piece. Keep looking for themes as you review your work. Make notes about possible themes. Use the strategies suggested in the “Finding Themes” document. Remember, most narratives have at least a few different themes running through them. There is no “one right answer” for this task, there are many possible answers. Select the themes that you believe to be the strongest across all three pieces. You’re looking for an idea/theme that ties the three building blocks together, that unites them. Don’t feel like you have to use every detail or part of your three pieces--you may wish to select only portions of each.
3. Think of this as a three-part Venn Diagram:
- To find themes in the building blocks (pre-narrative, family heirloom, and interviews) and to draw connections between them
- To discover the “knowns” and the “unknowns” about your family and/or your life
Note: All three Building Blocks should be completed or nearly completed before beginning this benchmark.
You will create a narrative in any format you see fit (Multi-media, written, photo, audio, etc.) that you will present briefly in front of your classmates.
1) Proposal: First decide on your narrative’s format. Verbally explain your plan to each IT teacher and get approval.
2) Build Your Narrative: In the narrative you must synthesize the three building blocks contained in this benchmark (pre-narrative, family heirloom, and interviews). Look for common threads or themes that run through each. These will help you tie each building block together to construct your story. For help on identifying the themes in your three pieces see the “suggested process” below. The narrative should be in polished final draft form.
3) Presentation: You will present your narrative in front of the class. During these presentations your classmates will be taking notes about the themes they identify in your narrative.Their notes will also reflect which presentations most resonate with them, and why. * This information will be used to discuss potential grouping for the next benchmarks, i.e. the notes are vital to the future of this project! *
Benchmark 1 must be signed off by Deichler, Napoleon, and Hadid
Suggested Process
for Identifying Themes in Your Building blocks
1. Read the document titled “Finding Themes” and watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qME64SkxM
2. Go back and examine each of your building blocks: Reread your pre-narratives, listen to your interview, read and review your heirloom piece. Keep looking for themes as you review your work. Make notes about possible themes. Use the strategies suggested in the “Finding Themes” document. Remember, most narratives have at least a few different themes running through them. There is no “one right answer” for this task, there are many possible answers. Select the themes that you believe to be the strongest across all three pieces. You’re looking for an idea/theme that ties the three building blocks together, that unites them. Don’t feel like you have to use every detail or part of your three pieces--you may wish to select only portions of each.
3. Think of this as a three-part Venn Diagram: