Grade 5 Painting Pals

This year, the art program will be starting a new partnership for the 5^th grade students in Essex and Manchester. This is to help continue to build community connections between the two elementary schools through Art. Last years combined elementary art show was a huge success and had so much positive feedback that Mrs. Yutkins and I thought we would continue to build upon that with a year- round program. The program will be similar to a pen pal program except we will exchange art. Each student will have a partner that will be their personal buddy they exchange art with. Through the art and notes the students will get to know about each other and build a connection. Mrs. Yutkins and I will have a meet and greet get together before this years’ March art show when everyone will finally meet their painting pal. The goal is for the students to have a smoother transition when they go to Camp Merrowvista and as they enter middle school. Below is an example of our first Painting Pals lesson exchange - students traced their own hand print, overlapping it to make interesting shapes. New shapes were then identified and highlighted using color and pattern.