Using the PYP Learner Profile and Attitudes to Explore Artists

The arts are not mere diversions from the important business of education; they are essential resources. -Elliot Eisner, "The Role of the Arts in Cognition and Curriculum"

The arts provide students with a wide range of opportunities to respond to their experiences and engage with societal, historical and cultural perspectives. Students are stimulated to think and respond in new ways and through a variety of media and technologies. Learning through the arts is fundamental to the development of the whole child, promoting creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and social interactions (Making the PYP Happen, 2009)

Spicewood has wonderful volunteers that organize and run an art appreciation program where they use art prints to introduce and expose students to a diverse groups of artists and their work.
Funded through the PTA, the volunteers purchase prints they want to expose students to, show the pieces, talk about the artist, and lead the students through discussions and observations. Reflecting on and evaluating the work of these great artists allow students to make connections to their lives  through the PYP Learner Profile and attitudes. They see when an art demonstrated commitment, took risks, showed empathy or creativity. They can reflect on these traits and see how developing them in themselves could lead to realizing their goals, or learning something new.

Image courtesy The J. Paul Getty Museum: http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=937

4th Grade Would Like to Hear Your Family's Immigration Stories

To explore the theme Where We Are in Place and Time, 4th grade examines the reasons people migrate. They specifically look into where people migrate from and where they choose to go and why. They also study the effect that migration has on a community, as well as the effect on the immigrants.

To begin this inquiry they would love to hear YOUR stories. Over the course of time most people have migrated to the United States from another place. Please share your family's migration story with us. Where did you family come from and when? What factors did they consider when they chose a new place to live? How did the journey and the location they chose affect them? Tell us in the comments!

Thanks so much for helping support our inquiry!