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CAPE after school (also known as “Supporting Communities through Arts Learning Environments”) (SCALE) re-envisions and activates the school as a site for arts, learning, and for family and community members. CAPE’s SCALE after-school program partners teaching artists with teachers to develop an original curriculum that supports project-based arts-integrated learning. As a laboratory for in-school learning, after-school students weave academic and social emotional learning with various art disciplines and teachers are able to experiment with academic content and pedagogical strategies.
CAPE Parent/Community Classes provide contextualized creative and continuous development opportunities for parents and families. The classes integrate the arts with community articulated needs such as English language learning, technology skills, career development, civic and ecological issues, etc. Community classes are co-taught by teaching artists and teachers and illuminate for parents the connections between art making and learning, and how parents can observe evidence of learning and development in their child’s arts and academic work.
September – Exploring Self & Identity
Students began the CAPE after-school program by exploring the concept of self through conversation, drawing, and movement-based activities. Using guided prompts, they reflected on personal interests, emotions, family, and cultural identity. Early sketching helped students express who they are and how they see themselves in relation to others.
October – Belonging & Community
In October, students expanded their focus from self to belonging. Through collaborative art-making, they explored what makes them feel safe, valued, and connected. Students discussed community spaces, friendships, and shared traditions, translating these ideas into layered drawings and symbolic imagery.
September through November – Introduction to Alebrijes
Students were introduced to alebrijes as creatures that combine realism, fantasy, and symbolism. They brainstormed character traits, superpowers, and emotions they wanted their alebrije to represent, connecting these ideas back to identity and belonging. Students created initial concept sketches and shared the meaning behind their designs.
December – From Idea to Form (Manipulatives & Experimentation)
In December, students moved from two-dimensional designs to three-dimensional exploration. Using Model Magic and Magna-Tiles, they experimented with form, balance, texture, and structure. This hands-on phase encouraged problem-solving, collaboration, and risk-taking as students refined their ideas through building and re-building.
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