Learning About Diversity with Cultural Art Class

This week in cultural art class the students learned the word "Diversity".  We discussed the meaning of "diversity" as well as how it applies to the students and the world around them.  The students also discussed the presence of diversity and segregation in the past and present.
The students created self-portraits to reflect on their own identities and illustrated their own LEGO characters to convey how differences make us unique and special.  In the case of the LEGO characters, many children chose to portray recognizable characters to them, however it was discussed that even though all characters are different, they all work as a team as an excellent example of diversity.

Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!

In the class Connecting the Dots the students practiced their reading and writing skills by reading the popular children's book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and drawing a corresponding picture with a sentence to summarize the book.  The class recognized and discussed the ways we respond to people and in paying attention to the way you respond.

The Coconut Daughter

This week in cultural arts we read the African folk tale The Coconut Daughter and discussed the meaning of themes, morals and symbols.  The students then painted pictures of what impacted them from the story.  Some chose to paint portraits of the main characters, some illustrated where the story took place, and some depicted the dramatic conclusion!

Solar panel cars with S*T*E*A*M*!

The 4th and 5th graders of Family Focus are currently participating in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) program. Over the past few months, the STEAM program has been diligently working to create solar panel cars. The students have completed their cars' framework and electrical wiring, and are currently working on the cars' exterior design.

What We Learned This Week in Cultural Art...

This week in Cultural Art Class in order to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month we discussed important African Americans throughout history.  After learning about important characters in historical and contemporary culture, the students chose someone they particularly liked or admired and painted a portrait of this person.  

Popular with the first graders were Michelle Obama, George Washington Carver, and Martin Luther King Jr.! 

The third graders did a GREAT job on their portraits! 

We also read excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech and the kids constructed mobiles out of their own dreams for their community, the country, and the world.

....check back soon for more on what the students have been working on!