Teacher Workshop: The American Creed in Words and Images – A Photopoetry Workshop

America’s 250th anniversary is an ideal time to reflect on and explore the American Creed, what economist Gunnar Myrdal refers to as “ (what) Americans of all national origins, classes, regions, creeds, and colors, have . . .  in common: a social ethos, a political creed.” Since 2018, students around the country have been discussing American Creed videos (streaming on PBS LearningMedia) in class, with curricular support from the National Writing Project. Students have also been invited to create and share their own stories and reflections in photos, captions and/or essays via KQED’s national Youth Media Challenge publishing platform. This workshop supports adding Louisiana voices, which have been largely missing, to this nationwide initiative. Let’s get Acadiana students published!

Two National Writing Project Teacher Consultants, Lafayette Parish School System middle school teachers who have recently incorporated these exercises with their students, and the American Creed in Louisiana project lead, will guide middle and high school teachers through using photopoetry, a combination of art and literature that expresses feelings and emotions through both words and images. Participants will learn to guide students to create their own photopoems that capture the limitless potential and challenges of our American Creed.

No prior poetry or photography experience is required to participate. Bring your pens and phones and immerse yourself in easily adaptable exercises that can immediately be incorporated into classrooms to engage students in exploring these important foundational ideas of our nation in creative ways.