Searching for ways to incorporate 21 century skills in her art classes, Pikesville Middle School Art Teacher, Ms. Lynam, engaged her 7th grade students in applying their artistic skills to a problem they could relate to in their own world: homeless animals. The students partnered with the Baltimore Humane Society in Reisterstown, MD to bring attention to the animals that were in need of adoption. After they researched images of animals on their Revolves, the students practiced sketching the animals. Wendy Goldband, the head of PR at the Baltimore Humane Society, came to the school and talked with the students about the facility and their animal adoption process during which time the students presented her with donated pet treats and toys. After her visit, students searched the Humane Society webpage, chose an animal they wanted to sketch, and then designed adoption posters. Their fabulous designs, made from the heart, were displayed on the Baltimore Humane Society’s website, Facebook page, sent out across Twitter, and hung in the facility. Students celebrated when they checked the website and saw that their animals were adopted. The unit concluded with the students creating thank you letters reflecting on their experience of giving back to their community.

Submitted by Stacy Siegel
​Reading Specialist, Fort Garrison Elementary

​​Third grade students at Fort Garrison Elementary worked with art teacher Grace Hulse and media specialist Lindsay O’Donnell to build a unique structure on their school grounds. Each student selected an insect that is native to Maryland and using their devices completed research about their insects. The students identified what their insect does over the winter: lay eggs and die, hibernate, nest, or migrate.

Submitted by Chelsea Mazurek​
Art Teacher, Edmondson Heights Elementary

In art class at Edmondson Heights Elementary, students are experimenting with creating their own stop motion animation videos. Stop motion is created when you take many still photographs of objects or drawings, moving each one slightly in each picture. When all of the photos are put together and increased in their speed, they create movement.
 
We are using windows movie maker to edit our photos and music from freemusicarchive.org. Right now students are using found objects to tell short stories through movement. Later on in the year we will revisit this media and create our own stop-motion cartoons or Claymation videos.

Submitted by Barbara Zelt
Art Teacher, Church Lane Elementary

The introduction of the new devices has expanded the possibilities for student learning in Art. They are a great tool in which the students have the opportunity in self directing their own learning. The children are engaged with interactive activities, thought provoking problem solving lessons and programs where the resources are readily available with a click or finger swipe. The students work together to navigate through the programs and share information in maneuvering the commands to land themselves onto the correct screen.  Watching how quickly they learn to manipulate the device for the desired outcome is a joy to watch. The children are excited, engaged and their joy of learning is evident in the new ways they are expressing their artistic talents.