Geometry as Public Art: Telling A Story
The curriculum, inspired by the Park's design and key geometric features that tell the story of the immigrant experience, is to engage students to learn about and share their own, families or ancestors’ immigrant experience and in doing so build common ground, celebrating what unites and connects us.
The multi-disciplinary curriculum creatively integrates geometry, art, language and social studies while promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect. Key goal is to spark awareness of geometric shapes, and their creative expression of ideas and thoughts.
Boston Public School Partner Program, the three lesson curriculum includes:
Lesson One Classroom: Discover Geometric Shapes Surrounding Us.
Introduce Curriculum and About My Family questionnaire to guide students in speaking with a family member to learn about the first person in their family to come to this country.
Lesson Two Park: Geometric Features Telling the Story of the Immigrant Experience.
Students experience first-hand at the Park how the geometric features:
Abstract Sculpture, split rhomboid dodecahedron (solid, Euclidian geometry) and Labyrinth (plain) and Reflecting Pool (circle) tell the story, a story we all
share, except for indigenous people.
Students are introduced to the health benefit of walking the labyrinth. All walk the labyrinth together. All play the One Step Forward Game when ultimately
all will arrive at the center of the circle together, realizing all that connects us.
Lesson Three Classroom: I AM Poem with Portrait & Geometric Illustration
Students create their I AM Poem told in the voice of the first person in their
family to come to this country, incorporating the information from the
About My Family questionnaire (first lesson). Students illustrate their poem with
portrait of the individual and a geometric illustration. Students share their work.
Introduction for Teachers and Students (power point)
Overview with Timeline and Examples of I AM Poems with Portraits & Geometric Illustrations
Templates: About My Family and I AM Poem
Evaluation: Teacher & Students
We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know if you are implementing the curriculum. Also if you would like a Park Ambassador to greet you at the Park. Please email
us hello@ArmenianHeritagePark.org to schedule a date/time.
The curriculum was developed by the 4th grade teachers, The Eliot K-8 Innovation School, Boston Public School in the North End in partnership with educators among the Friends of Armenian Heritage Park.
“This curriculum is an exciting and engaging way for students to learn more about their family heritage and reflect on the American immigration experience. The curriculum is a wonderful way for teachers to learn about and better understand their students and for the students to learn about one another.” Brianna Greene
“The pride just exudes from my students as they draft and revise their ‘I AM’ poems; being able to dive deep into their family’s arrival to America is so worthwhile." - Roxanne Emokpae,
“Implementing the curriculum in our classrooms at the beginning of the year is a great way to welcome students to 4th grade and to introduce our larger social studies immigration unit.”
- Alyssa Kotsiopoulos
“This is a great opportunity for students to spend time with their families, learning the story of
their own culture and experience and sharing that experience.” - Emily Roberts
“The three thoughtfully planned lessons take educators and students on a path of self-discovery and storytelling, intertwine interactive classroom lessons and the hands-on nature of visiting the Park. The culmination of celebrating the immigrant experience is just as heart-warming and thought-provoking as the rest of the unit as students share proudly their I AM poetry during ArtWeek at the Park.” - Morgan Atkins, former Coordinator of Culture and School Climate