Who Sets the Rules for Cool?

A Learning Opportunity for Grade 6 inSocial Studies, Language Arts and Technology

Created by Elke van Breemen and Josianne Seguin

Fall 2011

Table of Contents Introduction Task (product: what they’re creating) Process Roles Evaluation (rubric) Conclusion Teacher’s Page Credits

Who is Cool? Prince and Cindy just time warped from

the 80’s to the present and are wondering why they don’t quite fit in. They are used to being the rulers of cool but are now feeling like the laughing stock. Join this webquest to help explain to these cats what “cool” really means and how/if it changes over time. I just

wanna have fun!Is it

1999 already?

Introduction In this web quest we will be exploring the

truth behind “coolness”. By the end of this journey you be able to answer some of the following questions: What is cool? What makes someone or something cool? How do these change over time? What influences the evolution of cool?

Through this exploration, you will hopefully gain a more objective perspective on coolness, being able to look at it from outside of the box.

Introduction cont’d You will be able to differentiate

between who/what is superficially cool and who/what is truly cool as you personally define it.

This will become apparent as you explore how the media influences and manipulates what is perceived as cool by consumers.

Task #1

Your first task is to answer the “Anatomy of Cool” questionnaire to get an idea of what your take on cool is.

Do this independently and remember to answer truthfully.

Print and hand in your questionnaire.

Task # 2

Now it’s time to analyze the difference between superficial cool and true cool.

You will investigate an iconic “cool” individual, exploring their outer image, connection with the media, inner personality and achievements.

In pairs, you will create a short video or poster displaying your findings.

Are you ready for your next

mission?!

Process Step 1. Select a character from the following list:

Johnny Cash (1950’s-70’s)

Marilyn Monroe (1960’s)

Mr. T (1980’s)

Selena Gomez (2010’s)

Process Step 2. Each person will take on one of the following roles

› Fashion and Media Investigator (superficial cool)

› Personality and Achievements Investigator (true cool)

Step 3. Follow the above links to discover the responsibilities of each role.

Step 4. Once you have completed your individual investigations, you and your partner will create a visual display on your findings.

Roles Fashion and Media

Investigator(superficial cool)

Personality and Achievements Investigator(true cool)

Style & Media Investigator In order to find out what makes this person cool

on the outside, or superficially cool, you will investigate:› Your character’s sense of style. Ex. fashion sense, body

language, trademarks, hairstyle, etc.› Your character’s involvement in the media Ex. commercials,

brand names, sponsors, music videos› How marketers use this character’s image to sell their

product?› Click on your character for links that will

provide information you need for your investigation.

Johnny CashStyle & Media

Music Daddy Sang Bass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGUP8oc9Bgs&feature=related

Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jix3xOKJKs4

Commercials Johnny Cash for Lionel Trains http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5HzgPk69k4  Taco Bell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyUoNY-cH8Y  Canada Trust “Johnny Cash” machines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEPfxI0BO98

Mr. T Fashion & Media

  Snickers commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NySN_plfiNI

World of Warcraft commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqJE5TH5jhc

  Flavorwave Oven infomercial http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrVWyj-XcbQ

A-Team intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MVonyVSQoM  Mr. T overcommercialized?

http://www.doktakra.com/apps/blog/categories/show/563446-mr-t

Personality & Achievements Investigator

In order to find out what makes this person cool on the inside, or truly cool, you will investigate:› What aspects of their personality make your character respectable,

interesting, likeable, inspiring, or on the flip side, what makes them a bad role model, uninspiring, or dishonourable.

› What achievements has your character made personally or to gain themselves a “cool” reputation? Ex. What are their talents, social involvements, or accomplishments.

› Click on your character for links that willprovide information you need for your investigation.

Johnny CashPersonality & Achievements

Biography http://www.johnnycash.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Cash(look at “outlaw image” section)

  http://

www.survivingdrugaddiction.com/johnny-cash-drug-addiction.html

Music Big River http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_21p14TAXM&feature=related

Hurt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go

Mr. TPersonality & AchievementsBiography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._T

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001558/bio

Videos

Be Somebody http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu3tOmL7-BQ&feature=related

  Friendship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiEQPBSwK2I&feature=related  Recouping http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nCn_2X4tmQ

A-Team intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MVonyVSQoM

Evaluation Please review your Group Participation rubric

here› Peer Review› Also need teacher evaluation (diff rubric)

Conclusion Share your visual display with a team that

worked on a different character and look for similarities and differences in both aspects of cool.

Review your questionnaire and write a reflection about how your investigation changed your perception of what cool is and how it is manipulated by the media and society.

Teacher’s Page This webquest was adapted from the “Anatomy

of Cool” lesson plan found here. This WebQuest will enable students to:

› explore the differences between superficial and real "cool";

› become more aware how society and media influence what, and who, are perceived as being cool;

› investigate how marketers use public icons to sell products.

Extensions and Adaptations› Students could present their visual displays to the class

or another division.

Credits Photos accessed from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/centralasian/5648098309/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/75797208@N00/5924672656/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/50213870@N00/326532210/ Google Images without permission

PEACE!