Exploring 21st Century Culture Through Makeup, Clothing, and Social Media / Activity Analysis

Core Skills Analysis

Social Studies / Cultural Studies

• Sarah learned about various trends in 21st-century culture focusing on makeup and clothing, gaining insight into contemporary fashion expressions and beauty standards.
• She observed how personal identity and cultural values can be conveyed through style, understanding the social significance of clothing and makeup choices today.
• Sarah developed skills in media literacy by critically engaging with YouTube Shorts as a modern platform that reflects and influences youth culture.
• She recognized the fast-paced and visual nature of digital media and its impact on how culture is shared and evolves in real time.

Tips

To deepen Sarah's understanding of 21st-century culture, encourage her to explore how fashion and makeup traditions have changed over decades, comparing past and present styles. Incorporate a creative project where she designs a mood board or digital collage representing her interpretation of current trends and personal identity. Discuss the role of social media influencers and global diversity in shaping cultural expressions, prompting critical thought on authenticity and consumerism. Additionally, invite Sarah to experiment with creating her own short video or blog to express her views on culture, enhancing her media creation and storytelling skills.

Book Recommendations

• I Am Dressed to Play by Cynthia Brown: A fun picture book that explores clothing choices and self-expression, ideal for understanding personal style.
• Fashion Forward: 30 Years of Style by Claudia Calirman: A colorful overview of recent fashion history, helping readers see how styles evolve with culture.
• Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media by Brittany Hennessy: An introduction tailored for young readers to social media’s role in shaping public image and trends.

Learning Standards

• TEKS Social Studies 4.12: Identify contributions of various cultures to the local community and state.
• TEKS English Language Arts 4.14: Listen actively to interpret and analyze media messages.
• TEKS Technology Applications 4.2: Use creativity and innovation to produce media presentations.

Try This Next

• Create a worksheet comparing fashion and beauty trends from different decades to spot cultural shifts.
• Write a short essay or script for a YouTube Shorts video expressing individual style and cultural identity.

Growth Beyond Academics

This activity highlights Sarah's curiosity about self-expression and cultural identity through visual media. Engaging with current cultural trends using digital media can build her confidence and critical thinking, while creativity in sharing her own perspectives promotes independence and self-awareness.