Students from grades 3-8 at both Trinity Valley Elementary and Hoopa Valley Elementary took the 50 mile bus trip to Humboldt State University to see the work of Native American artist Dr. George Blake. Some students got the pleasure of meeting Dr. Blake in person at the gallery where he could explain the meaning and symbolism behind each artwork. HSU art students provided docent tours of the Goudi'ni gallery under the guidance of art instructor James Woglum.
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Fifth grade students and teachers participating in NCAIP are using a "large letter postcard style" from the first half of the 20th century to show their understanding of one of the 50 states. This lesson involved students researching and using graphic organizers to compile their information. Also students learned how to use isometric perspective lettering technique. When interviewing the students, they proudly explained how their postcard showed the state bird, common foods from the state or the other symbols of the state. Enjoy their postcards!
Over 200 students and family came together on the evening of October 27 to make visual art and perform a drumming circle together in the Hoopa Valley Elementary School cafeteria This evening of food and art making was made possible because of the Turnaround Arts California program and P.S.ARTS. Three members of NCAIP were on site to lend assistance as well. The photos below tell the story of many generations of families coming together to create and express themselves.
4th grade students from Washington School in Eureka took a field trip to HSU to see an exciting performance by the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. Some student reflections include:
"That performance was amazing! My favorite was the competitive dance where all the men were stomping in front of each other. I want to know how their feet aren't always hurting." "The Mexican music was beautiful and I have never heard it before so thank you very much." "I loved the candle dance and I wish I could see it again. It made me feel like I can do anything if I believe in myself. Thank you." "It was cool because I now have seen instruments I have not seen. I didn't know that the dances were so hard." One of the teachers wrote, "...they all loved it and felt like they understood something about Mexico now. One thing that struck me is that all of my kids were okay that the music and dance weren't what they usually hear. It was a lesson in tolerance (for me!)" Sixth grade teacher and accomplished rapper Zach Zigzilla Lehner researched keynote presenter Anna Weltman before writing the lyrics to a rap he performed to introduce her at the California Math Council to the Far North conference. Zach has performed several times for his students and has helped them write raps about literature and social studies. Zach's brother Gabe wrote the music for the rap. Anna is an author, blogger and teacher known for integrating art and creativity with math. Students in Ms. Ford's science classes are using their observational skills to look closely as they draw various objects from nature. Besides the obvious benefit of learning to draw, students are learning to slow down and really see as they observe details and proportions. They are taught to draw lightly because first attempts are never perfect and will always require revision. This mindset is useful in other creative endeavors as well. Being comfortable making mistakes and adjusting first attempts are qualities that empower students. This topic has been explored scientifically in articles like this one.
Teachers use clues that will unlock the locks to their Breakout EDU boxes. Breakout EDU games teach critical thinking, teamwork, complex problem solving, and can be used in all content areas. Visual Arts was the theme in this challenge.
The sixth grade students in Mrs. Wilhelm's class at Zane Middle School created stop motion videos to illustrate their understanding of figurative language. Teaching artist Joseph Wilhelm helped the students understand the video technology. Hoopa Valley Elementary Schooll is participating in the Turnaround Arts Initiative led by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. On May 25th ten self-portraits drawn by 6th grade students were displayed in the East Wing of The White House coinciding with the Talent show organized to celebrate the Turnaround Arts achievements. The students were Maliyah Ballesteros, Kagan Renteria, Trey Crawford, Xatimniim Drake, Faith White, Issac Moon-Davis, Francis O'Neill, Caw-tep Thompson, Isabella McNally and David Lewis Jr.
This school was the only one representing the West Coast Turnaround Arts schools with visual art. Shout-out to all the 6th graders who took part in the project and their teachers Jill Henning, Page Matilton and Dave Sanders! Teachers from Klamath Trinity Joint Unified School District and Eureka City Schools came to Humboldt State University to learn how to teach shadow puppets as a vehicle for integrating arts into different curricula. Teacher presentations from the dayThe teachers worked in groups of four to research the topic they chose, create the script, design and then build the puppets. Then they rehearsed their presentation and performed it. All this in just a couple hours! Amazing work for the day that laid the groundwork for all future arts integration projects since the basic steps are always the same. 5th graders at Hoopa Elementary School recently explored watercolors and poetry with cultural context. Teacher Maggie Peters stated, "I asked students to create a water color painting separating cool colors from warm colors through traditional basket designs. I had all students write a structured poem to accompany the art piece. In small group, I worked with students to brainstorm cultural items for each color and descriptive words for each item. I think the more I can tie arts and writing to the students' cultural knowledge the better. I can see their pride and self confidence rise because they know a lot about the culture. I also required them to have descriptive language, so that I can see their writing develop and mature."
Students in Mr. Matilton's class were given a choice to write about their understanding of a chapter in the book they were studying or act out their understanding using the theater technique called a "tableau" which is short for "tableau vivant" or "living picture". The term, borrowed from the French language, describes a group of actors, carefully posed. Throughout the duration of the display, the people shown do not speak or move. The approach thus marries the art forms of the stage with those of painting or photography. After each performance, Mr. Maitilton had the students clarify the scene and the significance it had in the story.
Students at Grant and Washington Elementary schools are creating shadow puppets as a way to demonstrate their understanding the flora and fauna of different eco-systems. A public show of the Washington students will happen in May at the Sequoia Park Zoo.
Did you see the video comparing modern surgery to Roman surgery in the Roman Extravaganza production? A lot of work went into that from designing and building the legs to storyboarding and editing the green screen video.
Students in Mr. Bird's class have created mono-prints using imagery depicting the research they did on the names of the months in the Julian calendar as part of the Roman Extravaganza.
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