The Project Based Learning: 
​Unit of Study
The artwork of David Labkovski provides a unique opportunity to explore this vast and complex history through art.  
Lessons include:
  • Forming hypotheses about the artist and the historical context by thorough reading of  the artwork.
  • Researching the historical context through primary and secondary source materials.
  • Listening to survivor testimony.
  • Collaborating with fellow student curators to understand the connections between pieces.
  • Writing narrative to share Labkovski's story with a wider audience.
  • Public speaking as part of the docent experience.
  • Responding the artwork through art and poetry.

Response Through  Art

"I thought I understood how hard his life was, but when I was drawing the lines on his face, I felt it."
a student


Students respond to the history through creating pieces in Labkovski's style. 
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To see more samples of student artwork, use the 'take a look' button below.

Response Through Poetry

Look at this piece by David Labkovski.  Look at each side of her face by covering one half at a time.  What do you see?

Students respond to this painting and to the unit of study through poetry.  



​This poem is an example of a bilingual contrapuntal written by Alexa, an 8th grade student.
A Life and A Memory:  Espiritus Y Corazones
 
A life
A life
Before the wave of genocide
Before the reign of terror
That stole so many lives that scarred them too
 
A memory
A memory
That latches on and never lets go
The separations, the hope that was lost
How you want, how you wish to forgive, to forget
But never will.
 
A life, A memory
A life, A memory
Before the wave of genocide, that latches on and never lets go
Before the reign of terror, the separations- the hope that was lost
That stole so many lives that scarred them too.  How you want, how you wish to forgive, to forget.
But never will.
 
Un espiritu
Un espiritu
Solito en la oscuridad
Perdido Y esperando
Un espiritu traumado
Que quieren tanto ser libre
 
Un corazon
Un corazon
Latiendo Pero no sintiendo
Que ha querido Y herido
Un Corazon afectado
Que saben tanto que no Podran irse
 
Un espiritu, un Corazon
Un espiritu, un Corazon
Solito en la oscuridad, latiendo pero no sintiendo
Perdido Y esperando, que ha querido Y herido
Un espiritu traumado, Un Corazon afectado