Spotlight on Science, The Arts & MI

Douglas PTA Creates Moving Landscapes

Wednesday, Oct 24, 2007 - 03:52 PM Updated: 04:17 PM

By NBC17
RALEIGH, N.C.--Last night Douglas Elementary PTA brought landscapes to life as almost 300 parents, students and staff experienced integration of the arts and Multiple Intelligences. Setting the stage for activities to come, the group gathered first in the gym to create a "human" landscape based on a piece of art. 
 
After separating into eight groups, families worked on an activity highlighting each of Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence areas: word smart, picture smart, math smart, nature smart, body smart, self smart, people smart, and music smart.

The groups gathered about 40 minutes later in the gym to share their experiences by showcasing a landscape. For example, in the nature smart group, participants discussed Vonnoh's “Winter Sun and Shadow” and participated in an imagery experience to get in the "snow" frame of mind. Next, the group explored how the snow appeared in the artwork.  Those discussions led the group to create the "dance of the water cycle" set to Tchaikovsky's "Journey through the Snow." 

According to one of the event coordinators Michelle Burrows, “The sharing was amazing!  Dads, moms, children, grandparents, siblings, teachers, all dancing, moving, creating art and poetry together.  It was wonderful!”

This event was planned to coincide with the October 21st opening of a new exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art, “Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism.”

Additional elements that make this PTA event noteworthy include families enjoying dinner together in the cafeteria and the way all children were included in the activities. Surveys indicate that when a PTA includes food and fun with kids, the parents will come.

© 2007 Wake County Public School System
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