A Winnipeg school recently transformed its basement into something out of this world.
The project, part of an art installation called “Art in Space,” involved more than 300 students in grades one through eight at John Pritchard, guided by their art teacher.
The entire installation was glow-in-the-dark and featured everything from stars and planets to a three-dimensional Mars bar and a galaxy-faced Mona Lisa.
“We had drawings and paintings done by our littlest artists and pieces of art done by our students with exceptionalities,” said Visual Arts Teacher Elysia Hodges in an interview with the River East Transcona School Division. “It was inclusive and joyful and captured the wonder of all who got to see it.”
The goal of this project, now in its second year, was to include every student, no matter their age or ability.
“We teach students, not curriculum,” said Janna Larsen, a Positive Behavioural Intervention Support (PBIS) teacher with the division. “The curriculum is a tool. Being inclusive means reframing how you plan teaching and use curriculum.”
The River East Transcona School Division says the Glow Show, now held annually, is one of the ways it promotes inclusion and builds a welcoming school community.
“School is supposed to prepare kids for the world, and the world wants the six-Cs, not kids who can sit in rows and memorize,” said Janna.
The six-Cs include communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, citizenship/culture and character/compassion.
The school division says the highlight of this year’s show was seeing families line up to experience the art.
“It united our school community in a way that celebrated inclusion, creativity, and brought a lot of joy to January,” said Hodges.