Eighth Grade Digital Arts Integration Project at School 21

Art teacher Raquel Ford recently created an arts integration project for her 8th grade students at School 21. This lesson integrating art, technology, literacy, culturally responsive teaching practice *, and bi-lingual instruction, took place over a series of days.

Above: Image of student work

Day One: Students watched a mini lesson on symbolism (see below). Students generated a list of examples about what the symbols represent. Next, students listened to the book, La Maleta by Luzdivina Lozano (see below). This lesson was presented in English with closed captions in Spanish for the native Spanish speaking learners. Ms. Ford teaches her students using bi-lingual instruction as needed. They discussed the symbolism in the book and what they would have done in similar situations. Students brainstormed and generated a list of 5 symbols they would include in their digital artworks to represent their personal experiences. 

Above: Image of student work

Day Two:  Ms Ford taught students how to use Google Drawing (LINK) to select suitcases, manipulate and change the objects. They used Format Options to personalize their suitcases. Using the generated lists, they searched for PNG files of their symbols. They learned the difference between a PNG and a JPEG file. (Image file with no background). They composed their suitcases by using at least 5 symbols.  

Day 3:  Students will be writing or presenting an Artist Statement on their work.

Symbolism mini lesson: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li7fkBmyz1Y

La Maleta by Luzdivina Lozano:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_9ETrPSiik

Above: Images of student work

      * NJ Department of Education

     Culturally Responsive Practices

Culturally responsive practices create a supportive, inviting environment where students, particularly those who have been marginalized, feel a sense of belonging. Schools that engage in culturally responsive practices create an environment that acknowledges and embraces students’ cultural referents and funds of knowledge, hold high expectations for all students and use an asset-based mindset when engaging with students. This school environment also gives students agency and voice as well as fosters critical thinking and self-reflection. In these schools, students see their cultural identities reflected in the curriculum, books and materials.

LINK

Back to In-Person Classes at the Dr. Hani Awadallah School and School #9

Welcome Back! The Dr. Hani Awadallah School and School #9 in Paterson are back to in-person classes for the 2022/2023 academic year.

Dr. Hani Awadallah School:

The team conducted its first in-person meeting after two years of being online due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We had great conversations and shared a variety of interesting plans for the upcoming year. 

School #9: 

A new arts integration PIR, Michelle Frigg, who has an extensive music education background, along with experience as a teacher and administrator, joined our team.

Welcome, Michelle! We’ll be implementing many great ideas this year which will incorporate music. We are excited to include a different form of art beyond visual art.

Hero's Project at Taub School 2021/2022 Academic Year

The Hero's Project at Taub School 2021/2022 Academic Year Honoring the First Responders During the Pandemic

This unique, interdisciplinary arts integration project involved all 6th grade teachers at Taub School (except for the math teachers) and was led and supported by Jennifer Post, 6th grade science teacher and WP Professor in Residence Robin O'Brien. Social engagement and community service were embedded themes for these students. Art teacher Patty Kaminski was constantly involved assisting the content area teachers and the students with the art making part of this project.

Art Professor in Residence Triada Samaras interviewed both Ms. Post and Ms. O'Brien for this blog post. In the words of Ms. Post: 

"This project started by wanting to thank our local hero’s in the city of Paterson through the 21/22 school year and into the 22/23 school year. Being virtual for the 20/21 school year we were unable to do that so we thought why not now and why not always. We chose to thank the Paterson Fire Department first because they were truly at the frontlines on the pandemic in the city responding to calls and treating patients before transporting them to the hospital. They are truly out there putting their lives on the line each day and rarely get a thank you."

"We made each member of the Paterson Fire department ornaments with their names on them and decided them per house per tour. We also made cards of thank you for them to have especially since some do end up working the holidays and miss precious time with their families. We also wanted to recognize those who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the city and those ornaments had each fallen firefighters name on it and was given to headquarters for them to display each holiday season to remember the supreme sacrifice that these men and woman gave for the city."

Art for Ukraine from The Taub School: Part One

This past spring, the sixth grade team of Joseph A Taub School, Paterson, NJ responded to the invasion of Ukraine with concern and empathy for the Ukrainian people. They also planned with WP PIR Robin O'Brien and WP Art PIR, Triada Samaras.

The teachers met and decided that a cross curricular lesson would be implemented in the 6th grade classes. Each subject chose a different method in honoring the Ukrainian citizens. The culmination of their work can be seen in the attached photos. The students worked with diligence on their projects and learned a great deal about the crisis on the other side of the world. The Joseph A Taub school honors the bravery and perseverance of the Ukrainian citizens. 

1. Math: Creating sunflowers using graph paper 

2. Social Studies: Mapping work and culture 

Above:  Multi-disciplinary display case with works from art, math social studies ELA and Bilingual Bengali classes

3. Science: Discovering the anatomy of a sunflower 

4. Art: Making sunflowers from paper (See Part Two)

5. ELA letters to Ukraine (See Part Two)

6. Bilingual Bengali letter to Ukraine

The following people contributed to this project:

Taub Students

Cecilia O’Toole Fredericks, Principal

Phyllis Delgiodice, ELA

Jennifer, Post, Science

Mathilda Muniz, Social Studies

Barbara Grabowski, Math

Yasmine Chowdhury, Bilingual

Kozeta Bido, Math

Edmund Yanson, math

Shannon Allejo, ELA

Jeanette Cordero, ELA

Molly Nawoichyk, Special Ed

Patricia Kaminski, Art

Robin O'Brien WP PIR

Triada Samaras WP Art PIR

Art for Ukraine at the Taub School: Part Two

This past spring, the sixth grade team of Joseph A Taub School, Paterson, NJ responded to the invasion of Ukraine with concern and empathy for the Ukrainian people. They also planned with WP PIR Robin O'Brien and WP Art PIR, Triada Samaras.

The teachers met and decided that a cross curricular lesson would be implemented in the 6th grade classes. Each subject chose a different method in honoring the Ukrainian citizens. The culmination of their work can be seen in the attached photos. The students worked with diligence on their projects and learned a great deal about the crisis on the other side of the world. The Joseph A Taub school honors the bravery and perseverance of the Ukrainian citizens. 

1. Math: Creating sunflowers using graph paper (Part One)

2. Social Studies: Mapping work and culture (See Part One)

3. Science: Discovering the anatomy of a sunflower (See Part One)

4. Art: Making sunflowers from paper

Above:  Multi-disciplinary display case with works from art, math social studies ELA and Bilingual Bengali classes

5. ELA letters to Ukraine 

 

6. Bilingual Bengali letter to Ukraine

The following people contributed to this project:

Taub Students

Cecilia O’Toole Fredericks, Principal

Phyllis Delgiodice, ELA

Jennifer, Post, Science

Mathilda Muniz, Social Studies

Barbara Grabowski, Math

Yasmine Chowdhury, Bilingual

Kozeta Bido, Math

Edmund Yanson, math

Shannon Allejo, ELA

Jeanette Cordero, ELA

Molly Nawoichyk, Special Ed

Patricia Kaminski, Art

Robin O'Brien WP PIR

Triada Samaras WP Art PIR

WPU Annual Professional Development Schools Conference on May 26, 2021

WP Art PIR's Triada Smaras and Simone Sandler presented together with several others at the WP Annual Professional Development Schools Conference on May 26, 2021.

The topic "Using the Smithsonian Learning Lab-A Collaborative Team-Centered Approach with PDS Schools in the Paterson Public Schools to Teach Lessons Around Equity & Diversity" was presented by:Neil Grimes, Education and Curriculum Materials Librarian,David and Lorraine Cheng Library, William Paterson University; Triada Samaras, Arts Integration Specialist, Professor-In-Residence; Professional Development Schools (PDS), William Paterson University; Kayo Denda, Librarian for Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies; Rutgers University-New Brunswick Libraries; Simone Sandler, Arts Integration Specialist, Professor-In-Residence; Professional Development Schools (PDS), William Paterson University.

Below are artworks from the Taub School (the formerly DBTA). In this school, 8th grade bi-lingual students worked with the theme of Bangladeshi-American Identity in their art.

Below are artworks from School 21. In this school students third grade students studied the theme of social justice and protest art and created virtual billboards expressing their points of view.