Cosplay lesson Plan
I love cosplay because it is the intersection of self-expression, craftsmanship, and narrative.
For my students, who feel just as passionately about their fandoms as adults do, cosplay gives them a chance to work with physical materials to immerse themselves into the worlds they love.
Yes--the mess takes over my classroom, but there's ways to manage that, mostly, sorta. Yes, each student has their own unique project with their own unique needs, but their drive to make their visions come to life makes engagement high. Yes, my sewing machine takes a beating, and I've "helped" students on their projects way more than I expected, but to see their pride in their costumes is pretty incredible.
My school allows students to dress up on Halloween, so this is our 8th grade October project. I start ahead of time so they can start planning, and once October hits, it's all materials, all work until the end.
How I Do This:
1. I present the slideshow about cosplay (this link). I do this in early September to give them time to think about what they want to do. There are lots of pictures from the web as well as student projects. I used this ppt as the basis for my presentation.
2. I have them plan out their costume (this link).
3. Note: if students don't want to do cosplay or their parents don't want them to do so, I let them choose an independent project of their own choosing. Interaction Fiction has been a popular alternative, but it's whatever you are comfortable with students doing. Just be prepared in case a student really doesn't want to do this or can't.
4. Students bring in their materials, and then they go to work. I spend my time circulating, helping students with crafting, ideas, finding tutorials to help students with various ideas.
5. Oh hey! I made a unit template!
For my students, who feel just as passionately about their fandoms as adults do, cosplay gives them a chance to work with physical materials to immerse themselves into the worlds they love.
Yes--the mess takes over my classroom, but there's ways to manage that, mostly, sorta. Yes, each student has their own unique project with their own unique needs, but their drive to make their visions come to life makes engagement high. Yes, my sewing machine takes a beating, and I've "helped" students on their projects way more than I expected, but to see their pride in their costumes is pretty incredible.
My school allows students to dress up on Halloween, so this is our 8th grade October project. I start ahead of time so they can start planning, and once October hits, it's all materials, all work until the end.
How I Do This:
1. I present the slideshow about cosplay (this link). I do this in early September to give them time to think about what they want to do. There are lots of pictures from the web as well as student projects. I used this ppt as the basis for my presentation.
2. I have them plan out their costume (this link).
3. Note: if students don't want to do cosplay or their parents don't want them to do so, I let them choose an independent project of their own choosing. Interaction Fiction has been a popular alternative, but it's whatever you are comfortable with students doing. Just be prepared in case a student really doesn't want to do this or can't.
4. Students bring in their materials, and then they go to work. I spend my time circulating, helping students with crafting, ideas, finding tutorials to help students with various ideas.
5. Oh hey! I made a unit template!
