A splash of color can go a long way.
Earlier this school year, the second grade class learned about different types of communities, including rural, urban and suburban areas. As a culminating activity, the class spent time in Library, Coding, Art and Music to complete a special “community” project about the book, “Maybe Something Beautiful,” by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell - - eventually making their own art masterpiece.
“Maybe Something Beautiful” is based on the true story of Rafael and Candice Lopez, two people committed to art and social justice, who turned the alleys of the East Village in San Diego, California into art canvases, and the darkness of their neighborhood into a world of possible hope and beauty. Mire, the protagonist, decides one day to paste her drawing of a sun on one of the dark walls of an alley on her way back from school, just to bring brightness to the smiles of her neighbors. The force of that sun’s attraction transformed the streets of her neighborhood and the lives of her neighbors, forever. 
To kick-off the collaborative project, second grade students read the book in Library class with Mrs. Livermore, complimenting what they had already learned about communities.
“The book was an excellent way to introduce different literature to the students and an exciting way to kick-off the collaborative project,” Mrs. Livermore said. “The students were so enthusiastic about being able to work on this project in all of their special area classes.”
After reading the book, teams of students programmed Finch Robots in Coding class with Ms. Reynolds to move and light up using a computer software program called “Snap! Jr.” Each robot was fitted with a different colored marker and placed on a giant piece of white poster paper. As the robots moved, they left behind colorful lines.
The robots were generously donated by Birdbrain Technologies, Inc. for students to use over a six-week period.
“The entire second grade class was very motivated and excited to figure out how to apply their growing coding skills in real life,” Ms. Reynolds said. “They got a peek at the way coding can affect their world.”
In Art class with Mrs. Bevins, students sifted through the colorful lines left behind by the Finch Robots in search of particular shapes. With those shapes in mind, students painted pieces of paper and then used the paper to make buildings reminiscent of the illustrations in “Maybe Something Beautiful.” The buildings were eventually added to the original poster paper used in Coding class to create a mural of a community. The mural is on display in the hallway around the corner from the main office in the Primary Elementary School.
“It’s important for students to learn from real life examples, to see how one or a few peoples’ ideas can make a difference in the world and how something like art can transform a community and bring people together,” Mrs. Bevins said. “The students learned so much about symbolism and creating art for a purpose, which was reflected in their individual murals they created for other parts of the school. It was amazing to see their enthusiasm and creativity throughout the entire process.”
The special project concluded with Mrs. Gutowski, music teacher, teaching students about the music they listened to while painting in Art class, along with a basic salsa dance. Students performed the dance in front of the mural they created.
In the end, Ms. Reynolds says it was fascinating to witness the project transpire from beginning to end.
“Each class played an important part,” Ms. Reynolds said. “Students gained so much from participating in this type of collaboration.”
Revealing how art can inspire transformation and bring a community together.