The Belief Project | 8th Grade

Students articulate their beliefs in a project team taught by English teachers and a pARTners artist. Designed to promote self-exploration and reflection as 8th graders transition from middle to high school, the three-week Belief Project challenges students to ruminate through writing and visual exercises. Students collect mementos and study the use of symbols to tell a visual story, ultimately developing a theme for their individual Belief Essay and self-portrait collage. An introspective culmination of their middle school experience, the students’ collages are displayed at their 8th grade graduation.

[blockquote size=”full” align=”left” byline=”student testimonial”]“What I learned from the Belief Project is that I like more things about myself than don’t like about myself.”[/blockquote][blockquote size=”full” align=”left” byline=”student testimonial”]“The valuable thing about recording your thoughts and experiences is that it allows us to look back and remember the things we have forgotten. The project also made me realize that life is short, too short to wait to do something.”[/blockquote]

Jackson Hole High School Spanish Language Classes | 9th-12th Grades

In Un Obras de Arte, Spanish II students explore Latin art under the guidance of a pARTners artist. After learning about elements of design, color and collage technique, students identify a Latin artist they appreciate, research his/her life and create a collage celebrating their artist. Students then use their newfound Spanish vocabulary and grammar to give a multimedia (Prezi) presentation about their artist.

[blockquote size=”full” align=”left” byline=”Student Testimonial”]“pARTners offered a window onto the culture rather than just the language.”[/blockquote]

In La Poesia Vivo, groups of Spanish III students select a Spanish poem and work with pARTners actor to identify characters and voices within their chosen poem. After rewriting their poems as scripts, the student groups produce a performance, replete with staging, costumes and props. Ultimately, they perform their poems as part of an espectáculo (show) for elementary and middle school classes.

[blockquote size=”full” align=”left” byline=”Student Testimonial”]“pARTners made Spanish Class hands-on and creative. pARTners creates learning opportunities that are ‘outside the box’.”[/blockquote]

[blockquote size=”full” align=”left” byline=”Student Testimonial”]“pARTners greatly contributed to my Spanish III experience. The project helped me to embrace the Spanish culture we are learning about.”[/blockquote]

In the Spanish Mosaic Project, a pARTners artist guides Spanish IV students as they interpret the work and influence of the Spanish Masters. Students study Picasso, Miro, Dali, Velazquez, El Greco and Goya to better understand the impact of the Spanish Masters on the history and culture of Spain. Students choose a favorite painting to recreate as a mosaic, a creative process led by a pARTners artist experienced in the mosaic design and fabrication. The students’ artworks are displayed in custom frames for the rest of the school year in the Language Arts hallway.

In the El Baile Project, Jackson Hole High School Spanish students study Latin dancing (Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia) with pARTners artists from Dancers’ Workshop. The dancers teach students about the techniques and meaning of Latin dance.

[blockquote size=”full” align=”left” byline=”Student Testimonial”]“pARTners really made the art of Spanish culture more authentic and meaningful for me.”[/blockquote]