Team 4

Grade Level(s): 6th & 7th

Teacher Name(s): Carlos Osorio

Artist Name(s): Emilie Robinson & Sarita Garcia

Big Idea: Mixed Media & Expressing Our Idenity

Inquiry question: How many different ways can we mix art and mediums? How can this reflect the many different idenities we have?

1. How did your team conceive your project? How was inquiry introduced to students and how did you integrate the inquiry process into your project?

We started by slowly teaching the kids technical skills and techniques in painting and drawing. We then encouraged the kids to use their imigination to create origional works that they could express themselves through. They experimented with watercolors, acrylic paint, watercolored pencils, painting on hoursehold objects, collage, and even learning how to use photo sensitive paper. After spending a few weeks learning about these techniqies, we decided to work on a larger project that was entirely directed by the kids. They decided to paint a four season tree that shows how different one single tree can look throughout the year. We had conversations about how this is similar to the way we change, grow, and adapt in our own lives.

2. How did you integrate SEL into your projects?

We focused a lot on encouraging the kids to draw or paint whatever they were feeling that day, even if it wasn't always happy. I think this helped normalize a more honest way to manage our feelings day to day. By encouraging the kids to express themselves and whatever they were feeling, we were able to have really honest conversations with each other. By the end of the summer, I felt like we had gotten to know each student really well.

3. What did you learn about your students and how they learned? What did you learn about the way you teach?

Learning what worked the best with each student was tricky. I think having such a small and intimate class was a big part of learning how to teach the students. It allowed us to get to know what everyone was interested in. These converstaions helped me currate the rest of our summer projects to meet each students individual needs and interests. As far as myself, I learned that I enjoy learning from the kids about what they like and what they want to do. It helped me brainstorm more ideas for projects and plan out a direction for each week. Its amazing to see the way the kids collaborate. They can be so creative and have a natural ability to work as a team.