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ENLARGE
Color wheel
Math and art combine in Carrie Aarhus’ fourth- and fifth-grade class at Sunnyslope Elementary. Fifth-grader Sarah Stanley looks over a color wheel between a still life and a perspective line drawing. The lines are made to help students judge the shape and size of the still life objects.
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ENLARGE
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Looking up
During a class exploring the work of French artist Henri Matisse, Sunnyslope Elementary fifth-grader Mike Lenihan looks through two different colored pieces of tissue paper to see what color result he gets before gluing them into place. Behind him is a drawing by students showing the results of mixing primary colors together.
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ENLARGE
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Wintery theme
Students walk past art inspired by a cup of hot chocolate and winter. All around Sunnyslope Elementary, visitors will see art hanging on the walls and on shelves.
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To demonstrate how fog changes visibility, a class of Sunnyslope Elementary School second-graders created art.
They cut out trees, mountains and grass from colorful pieces of construction paper to make a landscape. Then, they covered their scene with wax paper to make the image less discernible.
"My teacher told us that when there's no fog, it looks a lot brighter and when there's fog, it looks a lot darker," second-grader Danielle Risley said.
The second-graders are creating art to learn about the weather. This school year, Sunnyslope teachers are doing similar assignments, which combine art with math, reading, science or history.
That's because the elementary school, which has 266 students, is transforming itself into a school of the arts. School officials want to expose students to visual arts, music, dance, drama and languages.
To do this, they're making art an integral part of classroom assignments and have set aside a former classroom as an art room. They're taking their children on field trips to musical and theatrical performances and art museums. They've formed partnerships with the Umpqua Valley Arts Association, Portland Art Museum and Britt Festivals. In the future, they plan to add extracurricular art clubs and elective art classes.
"We are going to give those kids experiences, give them a vision for their future," said Jim Knapp, who has been Sunnyslope principal for four years and in the Roseburg School District for 24 years.
The concept for a school of the arts began after a field trip to the Portland Art Museum last school year. At that time, the school was restructuring from fourth through sixth grade to kindergarten through fifth grade. All of Roseburg's nine elementary schools shifted this year as sixth-graders moved to the two middle schools.
For the new configuration, the teachers suggested the school have a fresh identity. One teacher proposed the school focus on the arts, and it stuck.
The idea was to create an atmosphere where students are excited about learning.
"I want them to enjoy being at school," Knapp said. "I see the arts as a vehicle that kids enjoy."
A student may want to come to school because they know they get to paint or play an instrument that day, he said.
Even though the school will have an emphasis in art, the main focus will still be reading, math, history, science and writing, Knapp said.
"Underneath it all is a strong academic foundation," he said.
<b>INTEGRATION APPROACH </b>
When the children do artwork to learn about another subject, it helps them remember what they've learned, said Jennifer Luther, a second-grade teacher. The more ways a student can relate a topic to real life, the easier it is for them to understand.
They cut out trees, mountains and grass from colorful pieces of construction paper to make a landscape. Then, they covered their scene with wax paper to make the image less discernible.
"My teacher told us that when there's no fog, it looks a lot brighter and when there's fog, it looks a lot darker," second-grader Danielle Risley said.
The second-graders are creating art to learn about the weather. This school year, Sunnyslope teachers are doing similar assignments, which combine art with math, reading, science or history.
That's because the elementary school, which has 266 students, is transforming itself into a school of the arts. School officials want to expose students to visual arts, music, dance, drama and languages.
To do this, they're making art an integral part of classroom assignments and have set aside a former classroom as an art room. They're taking their children on field trips to musical and theatrical performances and art museums. They've formed partnerships with the Umpqua Valley Arts Association, Portland Art Museum and Britt Festivals. In the future, they plan to add extracurricular art clubs and elective art classes.
"We are going to give those kids experiences, give them a vision for their future," said Jim Knapp, who has been Sunnyslope principal for four years and in the Roseburg School District for 24 years.
The concept for a school of the arts began after a field trip to the Portland Art Museum last school year. At that time, the school was restructuring from fourth through sixth grade to kindergarten through fifth grade. All of Roseburg's nine elementary schools shifted this year as sixth-graders moved to the two middle schools.
For the new configuration, the teachers suggested the school have a fresh identity. One teacher proposed the school focus on the arts, and it stuck.
The idea was to create an atmosphere where students are excited about learning.
"I want them to enjoy being at school," Knapp said. "I see the arts as a vehicle that kids enjoy."
A student may want to come to school because they know they get to paint or play an instrument that day, he said.
Even though the school will have an emphasis in art, the main focus will still be reading, math, history, science and writing, Knapp said.
"Underneath it all is a strong academic foundation," he said.
<b>INTEGRATION APPROACH </b>
When the children do artwork to learn about another subject, it helps them remember what they've learned, said Jennifer Luther, a second-grade teacher. The more ways a student can relate a topic to real life, the easier it is for them to understand.
"Your brain tends to click a lot better and you learn better that way," Luther said.
That's why she's having her second-graders learn about the weather through art. Earlier in the year, the children made family trees and created ants out of Styrofoam. They were learning about ancestry and insects, respectively.
When asked, second-graders Kyndal Merlino and Jacob Cook said it's easier to recall facts after they've done hands-on art projects. For example, Cook remembers ants have six legs, while Merlino said they're small with no backbone.
In the fifth-grade class, the students have created their own renditions of artists Henri Matisse's and Vincent Van Gogh's work. The intention of the exercise was to teach them about famous artists from different time periods.
They've also made land forms with watercolors to study geography. Soon, they'll do botanical drawings to learn about plants.
"It's one more thing to hang on to," their teacher, Carol Voltz, said of how the art projects help students learn.
Voltz also tries to expose her students to different media, such as acrylic paint, textiles and watercolors. She hopes to expand their horizons about what can be used for art.
"I want them to think freer about art, and the possibility of art," Voltz said.
Fifth-grader Amber Sharp said she enjoys doing her schoolwork more this year because of the art projects.
Cristina Bayardo agreed, and added she thinks it's important to have a chance to create art.
"It teaches people to use their individuality and that you don't have to stay with the group. You can go out of the flow," Bayardo said.
<b>TEACHERS EXPLORE ARTISTIC SIDE</b>
The school formed a partnership with the Umpqua Valley Arts Association to give teachers a chance to gain and improve their art skills.
That's why she's having her second-graders learn about the weather through art. Earlier in the year, the children made family trees and created ants out of Styrofoam. They were learning about ancestry and insects, respectively.
When asked, second-graders Kyndal Merlino and Jacob Cook said it's easier to recall facts after they've done hands-on art projects. For example, Cook remembers ants have six legs, while Merlino said they're small with no backbone.
In the fifth-grade class, the students have created their own renditions of artists Henri Matisse's and Vincent Van Gogh's work. The intention of the exercise was to teach them about famous artists from different time periods.
They've also made land forms with watercolors to study geography. Soon, they'll do botanical drawings to learn about plants.
"It's one more thing to hang on to," their teacher, Carol Voltz, said of how the art projects help students learn.
Voltz also tries to expose her students to different media, such as acrylic paint, textiles and watercolors. She hopes to expand their horizons about what can be used for art.
"I want them to think freer about art, and the possibility of art," Voltz said.
Fifth-grader Amber Sharp said she enjoys doing her schoolwork more this year because of the art projects.
Cristina Bayardo agreed, and added she thinks it's important to have a chance to create art.
"It teaches people to use their individuality and that you don't have to stay with the group. You can go out of the flow," Bayardo said.
<b>TEACHERS EXPLORE ARTISTIC SIDE</b>
The school formed a partnership with the Umpqua Valley Arts Association to give teachers a chance to gain and improve their art skills.
Arts in the schools
The Umpqua Valley Arts Association offers schools:
• Art Express, a program for elementary schools where children learn about art history through an art lesson. The program is free. • Artist in Residence, a program where a local artist visits the school for one to two weeks to teach the students a specific dance or art form. There is a small fee. • Workshops for teachers to learn how to better incorporate art into their classroom curriculum and discover how to create art. There is a small fee. <b>Information:</b> 672-2532 or visit, www.uvarts.com/youth_programs/ |
Many teachers don't study art in college unless they majored in it, said Shawn Ramsey, the association's executive director. Because of this, they may feel intimidated about teaching art.
The teachers are attending workshops hosted by local artists who teach them how to create art and then incorporate it into their curriculum. The workshops cost a small fee.
So far, Sunnyslope teachers have learned how to use clay and pottery to teach students about land and rock formations. They found out about paper making and how to make books for reading and writing projects. At their next workshop, they will discover the basics of drawing.
Sunnyslope is the first school to form such a partnership with the arts association. Ramsey hopes to eventually work with all the area schools.
"We look at this as a starting point," she said.
Because of budget shortfalls, many schools have had to cut art education, Ramsey said. The arts association hopes to fill the gap.
"Art education is a critical component to a child's education," Ramsey said.
The association's members want to give students an opportunity to experience art and look at the world in a new way.
"We're cultivating and developing a new audience for the arts," she said.
In addition to training at the association, Sunnyslope teachers will be able to improve their skills at various art workshops taught by their peers. Some teachers have different strengths in the arts and can help the other educators, Knapp said.
Voltz, who has taught at Sunnyslope for eight years, thinks the teachers' attitudes are more positive this year because it's more enjoyable to teach creative and artistic lesson plans.
"Art is always so much fun," she said.
<b>STUDENTS DISCOVER DIFFERENT ART FORMS</b>
The school has several opportunities for children to explore art and is looking to add more.
The teachers are attending workshops hosted by local artists who teach them how to create art and then incorporate it into their curriculum. The workshops cost a small fee.
So far, Sunnyslope teachers have learned how to use clay and pottery to teach students about land and rock formations. They found out about paper making and how to make books for reading and writing projects. At their next workshop, they will discover the basics of drawing.
Sunnyslope is the first school to form such a partnership with the arts association. Ramsey hopes to eventually work with all the area schools.
"We look at this as a starting point," she said.
Because of budget shortfalls, many schools have had to cut art education, Ramsey said. The arts association hopes to fill the gap.
"Art education is a critical component to a child's education," Ramsey said.
The association's members want to give students an opportunity to experience art and look at the world in a new way.
"We're cultivating and developing a new audience for the arts," she said.
In addition to training at the association, Sunnyslope teachers will be able to improve their skills at various art workshops taught by their peers. Some teachers have different strengths in the arts and can help the other educators, Knapp said.
Voltz, who has taught at Sunnyslope for eight years, thinks the teachers' attitudes are more positive this year because it's more enjoyable to teach creative and artistic lesson plans.
"Art is always so much fun," she said.
<b>STUDENTS DISCOVER DIFFERENT ART FORMS</b>
The school has several opportunities for children to explore art and is looking to add more.
Each year, students will get the chance to attend theatrical or musical performances at Umpqua Community College or the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene. They will also take a trip to the Portland Art Museum.
Many low-income students never have the chance to see a theater production or an orchestra performance, Principal Knapp said.
"Somewhere out there is going to be a child we're going to affect and it will be a lasting impression," he said.
This spring, students will have a chance to take classes in the arts. Teachers will instruct classes based on their artistic strengths. Children will be able to take classes such as computer graphics, knitting, floral design and pottery.
Next school year, school officials hope to start before- and after-school art clubs. They are in the early stages of forming a dance club, which will offer students lessons in tap, ballet, modern and Irish dance.
"Everyone will be allowed to participate," Knapp said, noting it's for those students who might not otherwise be able to afford dance classes.
They've applied for grants to add more music options such as a bell choir or a keyboarding class. Right now, they have a choir that meets before school for children in third through fifth grade. Wanda Eddy, who also teaches music at Green Elementary School, leads the group.
Like all nine Roseburg elementary schools, Sunnyslope also has a music program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade during the school day.
Many low-income students never have the chance to see a theater production or an orchestra performance, Principal Knapp said.
"Somewhere out there is going to be a child we're going to affect and it will be a lasting impression," he said.
This spring, students will have a chance to take classes in the arts. Teachers will instruct classes based on their artistic strengths. Children will be able to take classes such as computer graphics, knitting, floral design and pottery.
Next school year, school officials hope to start before- and after-school art clubs. They are in the early stages of forming a dance club, which will offer students lessons in tap, ballet, modern and Irish dance.
"Everyone will be allowed to participate," Knapp said, noting it's for those students who might not otherwise be able to afford dance classes.
They've applied for grants to add more music options such as a bell choir or a keyboarding class. Right now, they have a choir that meets before school for children in third through fifth grade. Wanda Eddy, who also teaches music at Green Elementary School, leads the group.
Like all nine Roseburg elementary schools, Sunnyslope also has a music program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade during the school day.
School of the Arts events
<b>WHAT:</b> Sunnyslope Art Festival. All of the students’ artwork will be displayed.
<b>WHEN:</b> 6 p.m. May 26 <b>WHERE:</b> Sunnyslope Elementary School, 2230 S.W. Cannon Road in Green <b>INFORMATION:</b> 440-4192 <b>WHAT:</b> Umpqua Valley Arts Association’s young artist showing. <b>WHY:</b> To display the best artwork from Sunnyslope Elementary School students. Members of the association will select the work. <b>WHEN:</b> Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. June 2. Display to continue through July 8 during the association’s operating hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. <b>WHERE:</b> Gallery Two, Umpqua Valley Arts Association, 1624 W. Harvard Ave. <b>INFORMATION:</b> 672-2532 |
It also has Music in the Mornings, a classical music education program sponsored by Britt Festivals, headquartered in Medford. The program is in all of Roseburg's elementary schools and Elkton Elementary School.
<b>JUST THE BEGINNING</b>
Knapp admits he and his colleagues are surprised at how quickly they were able to incorporate art into their school.
They are now looking to hire a researcher to track how well the school is progressing and offer suggestions for improvement. Teachers are meeting on a regular basis to make sure assignments are not repeated and all areas of the arts are represented.
The support of local artists and organizations has made all this possible, Knapp said. Their help has given students opportunities they wouldn't have had before.
"I think at this point, we're all very excited about how much we've been able to do in just five months," Knapp said.
* You can reach reporter Danielle Gillespie at 957-4202 or by e-mail at dgillespie@newsreview.info.
<b>JUST THE BEGINNING</b>
Knapp admits he and his colleagues are surprised at how quickly they were able to incorporate art into their school.
They are now looking to hire a researcher to track how well the school is progressing and offer suggestions for improvement. Teachers are meeting on a regular basis to make sure assignments are not repeated and all areas of the arts are represented.
The support of local artists and organizations has made all this possible, Knapp said. Their help has given students opportunities they wouldn't have had before.
"I think at this point, we're all very excited about how much we've been able to do in just five months," Knapp said.
* You can reach reporter Danielle Gillespie at 957-4202 or by e-mail at dgillespie@newsreview.info.
