Contemporary US Iconic Imagery Video Project

🎓 Overall Learning Objectives

Analyze historical media and artistic choices in cultural context
Create original multimedia content expressing contemporary American identity
Develop visual literacy and critical thinking skills
Practice collaborative planning and peer feedback processes
Reflect on the evolution of national symbols and imagery over time

Begin by showing the 1975 Vince Collins film. This psychedelic tribute was government-funded for the Bicentennial celebration. Use this as a springboard for discussing how art, politics, and cultural moments intersect.

🎬 Opening Hook: The 1975 Bicentennial Film

Students will examine Vince Collins' iconic montage, a government-sponsored animation celebrating, America's 200th birthday. This film serves as our historical anchor point for understanding how national imagery has been presented and evolved.

📝 Initial Viewing & Reaction

Activity: Students watch the film twice - first for overall impression, second for detailed analysis. They record initial reactions and specific visual elements they notice.

Discussion Questions:

What symbols do you recognize? What's unfamiliar?
How does the animation style affect the message?
Who was the intended audience in 1975?

📅 Historical Timeline Explorer

Click on different eras to explore how American imagery has evolved:

1776

1876

1976

2026

🔍 Visual Symbol Analysis

Students identify and categorize symbols from the 1975 film:

Patriotic Symbols

🌲

Natural Landscapes

🏙️

Urban America

👥

People & Diversity

Students now shift from analysis to creation. Emphasize that their videos should reflect 2026 America while maintaining the spirit of celebrating national identity. Encourage diverse perspectives on what makes America iconic today.

💡 Brainstorming Contemporary American Icons

Students identify modern symbols, places, people, and concepts that represent America in 2026. This includes both traditional icons reimagined and entirely new representations.

🗺️ Modern Symbol Mapping

Individual Brainstorm: Students create mind maps of contemporary American imagery, considering:

Technology and social media culture
Environmental consciousness and climate change
Diversity and inclusion movements
Global connectivity and immigration
Economic and social justice themes

📱 Technical Planning Workshop

Video Creation Basics:

Duration: 60-90 seconds (like a social media video)
Tools: Smartphone cameras, free editing apps (iMovie, Adobe Rush, Canva)
Elements: Original footage, still images, text overlays, music
Style: Can be realistic, animated, stop-motion, or mixed media

Storyboard Template: Students plan their video shot-by-shot using provided templates

👥 Collaborative Planning Session

Peer Feedback Circles: Students share initial concepts and receive constructive feedback on:

Clarity of message and theme
Variety and relevance of chosen symbols
Technical feasibility of their plan
Consideration of diverse perspectives

🎬 Production Phase

Creation Guidelines:

Week 1: Filming and gathering materials
Week 2: Editing and refinement
Daily check-ins with teacher for guidance
Peer collaboration encouraged for complex shots

Assessment focuses on both creative expression and historical understanding. The film festival format celebrates student work while providing authentic presentation opportunities.

📝 Assessment Components

Video Project Rubric

Criteria

Exemplary (4)

Proficient (3)

Developing (2)

Historical Understanding

Clear connections between 1975 and 2026 perspectives

Some connections made between past and present

Limited historical context shown

Creative Expression

Original, thoughtful visual storytelling

Good use of visual elements and narrative

Basic visual presentation with some creativity

Technical Execution

Polished editing, clear audio/video quality

Good technical quality with minor issues

Adequate technical execution

📝 Artist Statement Reflection

Written Component: Students write 300-word artist statements explaining:

Their choice of contemporary symbols and why they're meaningful
How their video relates to or differs from the 1975 film
What they learned about American identity and its evolution
Technical challenges they overcame and creative decisions they made

🎪 Class Film Festival

Celebration & Presentation:

Students present their videos to the class or school community
Audience feedback forms for peer appreciation
Awards categories: Most Creative, Best Historical Connection, Audience Choice
Discussion panel comparing different approaches and perspectives

🌍 Extension Activities

For Advanced Learners or Extended Projects:

Research other Bicentennial-era art and media for comparison
Interview family/community members about their perspectives on American identity
Create a classroom timeline of American visual culture evolution
Write letters to future students in 2051 (next major anniversary)
Design a social media campaign promoting their video

🔗 Cross-Curricular Connections

Integration Opportunities:

Social Studies: Research 1970s American culture and current events
Art: Study psychedelic art movement and contemporary visual culture
English: Analyze symbolism in literature and visual media
Technology: Digital citizenship and ethical media creation

Common Core State Standards — Grade 8

SL.8.1Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

RH.6-8.6Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).

RH.6-8.7Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

SL.8.2Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

SL.8.4Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

SL.8.5Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.

W.8.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

Georgia Department of Education ELA GSE — Grade 8

8.T.C.1.cConstruct multimodal texts and/or presentations that serve more than one purpose and target a specific audience, using multiple, clearly identifiable features of incorporated modes.

8.P.CP.2Use presentation skills to tailor communication to target audiences for specific purposes.

8.T.C.2.aCompare and contrast varying perspectives on a particular topic found across a variety of texts, analyzing how texts establish and develop perspective to shape perceptions or beliefs.

8.P.ST.2.bDraw from knowledge of author, audience, and context to discern and establish a clear point of view or unique perspective when interpreting and constructing texts.

New Jersey Student Learning Standards — Grade 8 ELA

SL.II.8.2Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

SL.PI.8.4Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

SL.UM.8.5Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.

English Language ArtsNew York State Next Generation ELA Standards — Grade 8

8SL2Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse formats (e.g., including visual, quantitative, and oral) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

8SL4Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear enunciation.

8SL5Integrate digital media and/or visual displays in presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add elements of interest to engage the audience.

Social StudiesNew York K–8 Social Studies Framework — Grade 8 Social Studies Practices

Gathering, Interpreting & Using EvidenceAnalyze evidence in terms of historical and/or social context, content, authorship, point of view, purpose, and format; identify bias; explain the role of bias, context, and audience in presenting arguments or evidence.

Michigan English Language Arts Standards — Grade 8

RH.6-8.6Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).

RH.6-8.7Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

SL.8.5Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.

W.8.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

📚 This Month™ Educational Resources

Part of our expanded middle school curriculum building on K-6 foundations