Videoconference
A.  A videoconference with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo is scheduled to expose students to Philip-Lorca di Corcia's Head #6, 2000.  Students will suggest possible interpretations of the two subjects in the photo.

B.  Students will look at additional photographs and interpret scenarios regarding content.  Their interpretations will show students' prior experience and pre-conceived ideas, which may not be good predictors of the photograph's reality.  A suggestion is to take photographs around your school for use here, either of students, students with administrators and teachers, or even the building itself.

C.  Using III, by Lorna Simpson, the facilitator will explain the  background and symbolism tied into the idea of "wishes".  If a student were to make three wishes for Alfred, what would they be?

D.  Culminating activity is a creative writing exercise.  Who am I?  In three well-developed paragraphs, (1)  describe yourself - your age, education, job, friends, family, etc.  (2)  focusing on one particular aspect, how do you see yourself as an adult?  (3)  what decisions will you have to make in order to accomplish this goal (wish)?  Take into consideration what helps you to be successful and what might limit your success.

Activities
A.  Read Chapter One of The Contender.  Break into small groups and complete the Venn diagram regarding Alfred - his age, education, job, family, etc.  Using the Predictor Worksheet, small groups should rate Alfred's future on a scale of 1-10, 1 being a total failure and 10 being a total success.  At least three reasons why the group rated Alfred's future as they did.

B.  Video-conference with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery using Head #6, 2000 by diCorcia.  Discussion should center on the idea of "assumptions"  we make about others based on limited information.  Students will be asked to give their insights into who the boy and the man are and what they are doing in the photograph.

C.  Students will see additional photographs (either some taken at our school or an area school or other photographs by diCorcia) and will describe scenarios based on their assumptions about the photographs.

D.  The art gallery will introduce III, by Lorna Simpson and explain the sculpture's background and symbolism.   III will be tied into the idea of "wishes" - if a student were to make three wishes for Alfred, what would they be?

E.  Culminating activity is a creative writing exercise.

Alfred:  Character Analysis

I.  Create a Venn diagram exploring Alfred’s character. Use specific details from chapter one of The Contender.

Click here for diagram

Predictor Worksheet