Collaboration is a Good Thing

I am passionate about sharing the wonderful events that unfold on our campus each day. Our teachers spend a LOT of time developing learning activities that are not only needed and practical, but also stimulating for young minds. This past week was particularly busy for us brimming with various activities that our school community cherishes. Throughout the week, our students delighted in perusing the offerings at the annual Book Fair and showcasing their artistic talents at the Art Show. Culminating the week was one of the biggest events of our year - Grandparents’ Day. The festivities commenced with a delightful breakfast and was followed by a program where our students showcased a medley of songs from beloved Broadway productions. Finally, students hosted their grandparents in their classrooms where they engaged in special activities together.

This year's art show featured a fun addition—a collaborative exhibit between students from Girls Preparatory School (GPS) and Brainerd Baptist School. BBS Art Teacher, Christine van der Meer, shares her insights on this enjoyable collaboration below:

Augusta Webb, Art Teacher at GPS (a former art teacher at BBS and current BBS parent), approached me with an Instagram video showcasing a cross-grade level art collaboration from another school. We both immediately felt compelled to replicate the idea. Augusta teaches Ceramics I and II at GPS, which comprises students from grades 10-12. As we deliberated on which grade level would best tackle an illustration project like this, Kindergarten (K5) immediately came to mind. At that age, students tend to think creatively and outside the box!

I devised a lesson on careers in art, with a specific focus on "animators." We examined the meticulous details animators invest in creating a single character, enabling expressions to convey emotions without relying on words. The Kindergarteners enthusiastically embarked on designing whimsical monsters, pouring their imaginations into intricate details.

Subsequently, I forwarded our illustrations to GPS, where Mrs. Webb's students skillfully brought our visions to life, faithfully translating what they saw into tangible creations. The outcomes were truly stunning, with each artist offering a unique interpretation of the illustrations.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Augusta Webb and her Ceramics Classes for transforming our K5 illustrations into vibrant reality!