Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools issued the following announcement on January 6.
JANUARY 6, 2022 – Fourth grade started a usual ELA (English language arts) unit, moving on in the Wonders textbook to the story “Aguinaldo” by Lulu Delacre. The story explores life in a nursing or assisted-living home and intergenerational relationships.
One fourth-grade student pointed out that his mother works at Arbor Acres, a local assisted-living and nursing facility, and so an idea, collaboration, and a service project was born.
“Once I knew of the opportunity to connect with Arbor Acres, I planned a collaboration with my team,” shared fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Nikki Woodard.
Woodard serves as one of the school’s Multiple Classroom Leaders (MCLs), so she meets regularly with fourth and fifth grades to plan, dissect data, and collaborate.
“The team decided to integrate a writing activity in the unit and have students write a letter to residents of the nursing facility,” she said.
The letters included a holiday-themed design to turn the note into a card.
Fourth grade teachers Mrs. Woodard, Mrs. Sarraga, Ms. Blanton, and Ms. Boulware also worked with Art Teacher and Magnet Coordinator, Mrs. Amanda Gordon, to add a gift of art to the letter.
Diggs 4“Students studied the work of well-known Brazilian artist, Romero Britto, to begin designing their drawings,” explained Gordon. “We discussed what they learned from the story about life in an assisted living facility, and we planned the drawings to use colors and shapes that would reflect joy and happiness, inspired by the art of Britto.”
The final stage of the project included mounting artwork, packing the cards and art in decorative bags, and adding a couple ornaments. Woodard and Gordon delivered the packages to Arbor Acres and were greeted by the activity coordinators.
They are excited to begin a partnership with the school with plans for future collaborations. Woodard and Gordon also met service dog, Rance, who will be the one delivering the packages.
Principal, Dr. Cassandra Dobson, shared that students were excited about the project.
“We incorporate social and emotional learning throughout our school activities and teaching units. Also, as an A+ Magnet School, we continue to build our integration between core and encore classes and teachers. This service project is one way that we promote the Arts Integration vision and theme of our school.”
Original source can be found here.
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