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.

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 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

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

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

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

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