PERSONAL POWER BANNERS FOR DISTRICT 75

a note about art projects adapted to special ed populations: Enabling the students to independently explore art materials through sensory-motor investigation takes precedence over expecting the students to create a cognitive product. Some of the courses allow for more pure material exploration (painting, paper sculpture, collage, sculpture), others are more likely to result in a cognitive product (bookmaking, personal power banner), while others naturally combine both (printmaking, drawing).

Introduction of concepts and vocabulary is calibrated to the language skills and developmental levels of the students in each individual school and classroom. It should be noted that artistic concepts (figure/ground, absorbency, transparency, opacity, viscosity, etc.), though not explicitly discussed in a lesson, can be experienced by the students as they explore the art materials introduced by the Teaching Artist.

This course is designed to take advantage of students’ natural enthusiasm for drawing connections between the animal and human worlds. Students will choose an animal they like or identify with. Using various media and art forms, both 2-D and 3-D, they will explore aspects of their animals. Depending on the cognitive and developmental level of students, writing can be included in the residency as part of this exploration as well as photographs. Each student will create a unique “personal power symbol” related to his or her animal. These will be mounted on a large class banner. Students will talk to the class about their animals and their symbols, building important communication skills and learning to express difficult concepts of self-hood.

This course is appropriate for students who can understand symbolization, and can conceptualize that they are creating something related to themselves and their identity.

It promotes sensory exploration, decision making, self-awareness and social skills, and of course the pride and self-confidence associated with all art-making, the act of creation and expression.