Gray in Black and White (For Educators)
Staying Connected with JMM: Educator Newsletter
Dear Educators,
On the fifth anniversary of the Baltimore Uprising that followed Freddie Gray’s death in police custody in April 2015, the Jewish Museum of Maryland is proud to host a digital collaboration between two Baltimore photographers, J.M. Giordano and Devin Allen. Giordano, who is white, and Allen, who is black, collaborate to shed light and insight on their fellow Baltimoreans in this online exhibit, Gray in Black and White.
These photographs and their subject matter are deeply personal to Baltimore’s community. At JMM we believe that people, place, things, learning, and actions all matter. We feel strongly that we are not just located in Baltimore, but are integral to the fabric of the city and the state. To be true to that core belief, we must do what we can to respond to or amplify the voices of our neighbors.
In connection with this digital exhibit, we have created educator resources to help encourage students to look closely at, and think deeply about, Giordano’s photographs and the events they depict.
Gray in Black and White: Educator Resources
To compliment Giordano’s photographs, Allen’s curator’s statement, and a timeline, we have created resources to foster discussion and reflection with your students. These resources have been created for upper middle and high school students. We encourage you to adjust these activities as you see fit to be respectful and responsive to your students.
Activity: Role of the Photojournalist
In this activity, students will explore the role of a photojournalist and consider ways an image, and the decisions made by the photographer, can influence an audience.
See photojournalist activity (including downloadable PDF) here.
Activity: Role of the Curator
In this activity, students will examine the role of the curator in the exhibit Gray in Black and White. Students will describe the impact the exhibit has on their personal awareness of social and political understanding. Students will curate a selection of Giordano’s photos.
See curator activity (including downloadable PDF) here.
Activity: Role of the Journalist
In this activity, students will write a newspaper article to accompany one of the photographs from the Gray in Black and White exhibit.
See journalist activity (including downloadable PDF) here.
Activity: Adding Titles to Photographs
In this activity, students will examine the role of titles for artwork. Students will personally respond to the exhibit Gray in Black and White by creating titles for the photographs.
See titling activity (including downloadable PDF) here.
Activity: Baltimore Uprising Mini-Unit
As a partner and collaborator for Gray in Black and White, we are pleased to share the Baltimore Uprising mini-unit developed by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.
See Uprising activity (including downloadable PDF) here.
Upcoming Online Event
On Thursday evening, May 7, 2020, we hope you will join us for a special live stream event with J.M. Giordano and Devin Allen. Presented in partnership with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, the two photographers will discuss their work, the anniversary of Gray’s death, and the lessons that still need to be learned.
This program is supported by a grant from the Open Society Institute-Baltimore.
Wondernauts
Scientists, writers, adventurers, and, yes, photographers, are just some of the many explorers in our world. Try this Why We Explore Wondernauts activity with your students! We can’t wait to hear what you discover together.
Looking for other hands-on activities related to space? Check out our Wondernauts website.
For more posts from Paige Woodhouse, School Program Coordinator, click here.
For more education newsletters, click here.