My Father's Dragon-Arts for Learning

Our district received a grant to implement Young Audience Arts for Learning. Young Audiences’ most complete national program, Arts for Learning Lessons (A4L Lessons) © is a ground-breaking supplemental literacy program that joins the creativity and discipline of the arts with learning science to raise student achievement in reading and writing and to develop skills for learning and life. The units accentuate the art form while reinforcing literacy skills. The strategies build children’s capacities to think imaginatively, work cooperatively, and communicate effectively in words, images and performance. Take a look at the incredible work our classroom did.
This short film clip shows a very engaged group of focused students.

The students only heard the text from the novel, My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett. They were not allowed to see the graphics. They each took visual as well as textual notes. We noticed patterns forming as we heard the story. Next, we partnered up to create posters. We jigsawed the chapters so each team focused on one.

Using  tools is necessary for quality work.

Determining layout.

                                  

We worked with a partner to summarize each chapter of the book.

Cooperation and planning are important in our work.

Checking our spelling.

Having conversations about our poster.

Referring to our notes.

Chapter summary posters created !

                        

              Our final task was to create our own sequel following the pattern set in the story. We created  graphic panels incorporating the story map as well as the drawing techniques we learned.

She created the dragon for our wall display.

                                 These are some of their final copies. Quality, thoughtful work!

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gannett/dragon/dragon.html