IGSS provides opportunities for students to develop an appreciation of the diverse culture of the visual arts. Students examine historical and contemporary models as a means to recognize and understand unique perspectives on both art and life. Students learn observational, analytical, and interpretative skills through the use of group and individual critique. The studio component includes the exploration of materials and techniques, with an emphasis on developing problem-solving skills and creating original, thought-provoking artwork. Each assignment is directly linked to the IGSS English and social studies curriculum. Interdisciplinary projects are an integral part of a course dedicated to expanding students' knowledge of art in an increasingly global society.
Yes In My Backyard!
After reading Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, By America, IGSS students partnered with the fair housing organization Open Communities to explore affordable housing on the North Shore. As part of the summative assessment, students drafted their own proposals to increase affordable housing specific to their towns; they then went before the Village Boards to make their case.
DO GUNS MAKE US SAFE?
We asked our students, "Do Guns Make us Safe?" and assigned them the task of creating a short documentary film that answered their own question(s) about the safety of firearms in whatever context and perspective they decided upon. They had to interview someone, include technical layers of video editing, incorporate their research, and their voice, whether through audio or other means had to be present in some way. As a culmination of the unit, we chose 10 of the best documentaries and had a juried film festival.
As part of our 2021 summer reading, IGSS students used “How to Be An Explorer of the World” to document and observe the world around them. The interactive prompts in the book asked students to complete a variety of tasks, including: documenting found words, communing with trees, creating a sound map, finding found faces, curating a miniature museum, and many others. Here are some highlights of their summer work.
