Earlier this school year, first grade teachers at Ocean Avenue Elementary School collaborated with Side x Side on a “Who We Are” International Baccalaureate (IB) unit. Working with Side x Side teaching artist Sarah Boyden, students created inquiry notebooks with self-portrait puppets and puppet theaters to use throughout the school year.
Elementary
Welcome Banner at Entrance to East End Community School Created During Side x Side Program
In May–June, fifth graders at East End Community School participated in a Side x Side program that was a collaboration between teaching artists Leah Cross and Meghan Scribner and art teacher Melissa Maher. During the program, students learned about public murals, composition, and design. Using handmade collage paper, they created visual components to convey empowerment,
Identity Flags Created During Side x Side Program Carried During End-of-Year Parade
At the end of the school year, fifth graders at the East End Community School wrapped up a Side x Side program integrating a poetry and figurative language unit with self-portrait drawing and collage. Led by teaching artists Leah Cross and Meghan Scribner, students created identity flags that represent qualities and characteristics they see in
Global Stories of Extreme Weather Shared Through Physical Theater During Side x Side Program for Third Graders
Third graders at Ocean Avenue Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program led by teaching artist Gretchen Berg that integrated a science unit on extreme weather with physical theater. Students learned to use physical theater to tell global stories about the science and mythology of extreme weather and its impact on the
Pollinators Come to Life in Side x Side Sculpture Program
Second graders at Reiche Community School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program that integrated a science unit on pollinators of Maine with papier-mâché sculpture. Led by teaching artist Nance Parker, students designed, built, and painted papier-mâché pollinator bugs and birds to share with their classmates.
Kindergartners Capture Science Learning on the Human Body in Pop-up Books
Kindergartners in Maestra Mejia’s Spanish emersion class at Lyseth Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program that integrated a science unit on the human body and the five senses with drawing, painting, and bookmaking. Led by teaching artist Meghan Scribner, students began by using wax resist and watercolor to create covers for their books.
Side x Side Receives $5000 Grant from the Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation
We are thrilled to be the recipient of a $5000 grant from the Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to bring collaborative arts-integrated projects that improve academics, social awareness, and classroom and community health and wellness to elementary school students and teachers in the Portland public schools.
Side x Side Program Integrating a Science Unit on Owls with Mixed Media Bookmaking Wraps Up at Lyseth
Fourth graders in Ms. Keleher’s and Ms. Ladero’s classes at Lyseth Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program integrating a science and literacy unit on owls with mixed media bookmaking. After studying owls in Maine including the Great Horned, Barred, Saw-Whet, and Snowy owls, students focused on the adaptations that allow owls to survive: hearing,
Third Graders Use Physical Theater to Demonstrate Learning on Extreme Weather
Third graders at Ocean Avenue Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program led by teaching artist Gretchen Berg that integrated a science unit on extreme weather with physical theater. Students learned to use physical theater to tell global stories about the science and mythology of extreme weather and its impact on the
Handmade Owl Books Demonstrate Learning During Science Unit
Fourth graders at Lyseth Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program integrating a science and literacy unit on Maine owls with mixed media bookmaking. Led by teaching artist Jill Osgood, students learned observational journaling, sketching from life, and how to illustrate owl body parts and adaptations. They then created a large-format single