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.
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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
Science Unit on Landforms Learned Through Poetry and Art
Second graders at Ocean Avenue Elementary School recently participated in a Side x Side program that integrated a science unit on landforms and a literacy unit on poetry with art. Led by teaching artist Pamela Moulton (aka Ms. Posey!), students learned drawing and collage techniques to illustrate individual letters and then poems that they wrote
The Theme of Sustenance Explored During Side x Side Mixed Media Sculpture Program
Students at Talbot Community School recently participated in a Side x Side program which was facilitated by teaching artist Pamela Moulton and third grade teacher Jes Ellis. Students explored the concept of sustenance during a science and social studies unit on food systems, river ecology, and migratory salmon, and then worked with Moulton to create mixed media salmon
Literacy Unit on Fairytales Taught Through Puppet Making and Storytelling
Third graders at Rowe Elementary School recently participated in a Side x Side program that helped to teach a literacy unit on fairytales through art and storytelling. Students worked with teaching artist Cat Labarre to create fairytale characters and turn them into hinged puppets. They then learned storytelling techniques from teaching artist and master storyteller
Side x Side Welcomes New Board Member
We are thrilled to welcome Patricia Brigham to our board of directors where she will serve as treasurer! Trish is currently the Executive Director of the Maine Society of CPAs. > Learn more about her
Pre-K Students Learn Emotional Awareness Through Side x Side Improv Program
Pre-K students at Lyseth Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side improv program led by teaching artist Meg Christie. Integrated with a literacy unit titled, “I’ve got your back!” students worked on emotional awareness through stories, movement, and improv activities and games. Students focused on awareness of others, responsibility and accountability, kindness, taking
Science Unit on Matter Integrated with Three Art Mediums to Help Understand Solutions
Fifth graders at Ocean Avenue Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program led by teaching artist Anne Ackerman and integrated with a science unit on matter. During the program, students experimented with three different art mediums (chromatography, suminagashi printmaking, and wax resist) to help understand solutions, their components, and how they interact.