Art and Literacy at School 12

The focus at School 12 this year is combining literacy with a project based activity.  WP PIR Mrs. Sandler has been working with Mrs. Hall's class to that end.

Seventh graders in Mrs Hall’s class were reading the book The Giver. The story focuses on a Jonas who can perceive flashes of color while everyone else is devoid of seeing color. 

Students used the concept of  color to achieve various emotions. Using a simple cube students created patterns and designs to individualize their project.

Arts Integration: Van Gogh and Literacy at School 9

First graders at School 9 in Paterson were learning about the artist Vincent Van Gogh.

Students viewed several slides about the painting The Starry Night with Art PIR Mrs. Sandler and their first grade teacher. 

Above:  The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

 Using crayons, students focused on a variety of line movements to create their Starry Night artworks..  

 Students were able to read many of the words in the Getting To Know The Artist book on Van Gogh by Mike Venezia.  When the students completed their pictures they recorded the information about the artist in their notebooks.  The classroom teacher elaborated on this project by helping the students with specific descriptive words.

Lego Robots at School 12

Students at School 12 created three dimensional robots using Legos.  This arts integration lesson was guided by WP PIR Simone Sandler in collaboration with the classroom teacher.

Packages of Legos were placed at each group and students had to select 20 bricks . While creating their robots the students could trade pieces are replace their selection.  

The literacy connection to this project was that each students had to draw their robot and answer questions placed on the board by the teacher. 

Students also had to focus on using descriptive words in their stories.

A New Makerspace at School 9

At School 9 WPU PIR Mrs. Sandler and teacher Mrs Albanese created a Maker Space room for the school.  

Currently, grades K through 4th are using the room that is equipped with over 30 various materials that can be used for creating hands-on projects. 

The photos below show a second grade engineering project using recycled styrofoam and geometric shapes. After they completed the project, students recorded the process in their notebooks.