Spotlight!
Grant:
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Project: Implement a series of Fine Arts lessons to enhance students' understanding and appreciation of art through exposure to and discussion of the works of 6 diverse artists. School: Rose Hill Elementary Contact name: Joyce Teshima Students served: 100 Amount funded: $1,500.00 |
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Chris Banks came to Rose Hill Elementary as an art docent in 2003. A retired publisher, an artist by training, Mr. Banks developed a series of six lessons based on the appreciation of museum-quality masterpieces, each lesson emphasizing a different element of art: color, line, pattern, shape, texture, etc. 
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He first conducted art classes with 2nd graders and Special Education students in 2003-04 and again in 2004-05. In 2004 he joined the staff of Rose Hill as a paraeducator, helping students attain their basic educational objectives (reading, writing, mathematics), where he is now in his third year. 
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Thanks to a grant from the Lake Washington Schools Foundation, Mr. Banks has been able to offer his art program this year to 100 students at Rose Hill: combined Special Education classes (grades 1-3) as well as all 4th and 6th grade classes. 
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His students are learning the history of art, along with important links to social studies and science. They receive a strong foundation in color theory and various media, using authentic artists materials, and learn to communicate ideas and feelings in new ways. They build a new vocabulary, and gain exposure to many important movements and lives in art. 
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For many children, art proves to be an area rich with unique opportunity for success. The program has been demonstrated to help develop a more confident, expressive, and creative student. Teachers are provided with the tools and materials needed to continue to conduct the lessons in the future. 
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