Portfolio Parade for AGES 5-9

PORTFOLIO PARADE! is an interactive, multi and interdisciplinary Gallery Walk style class for 5-9 year olds in which students are continuously creating based on the day’s theme.  All materials included.

This Gallery Walk class puts an emphasis on WALK…keeping students on their feet while they show their own and respond to their classmates’ creations.   By the end of the term, each student will have produced a portfolio demonstrating their unique understanding of the following main areas:

Language and Words –
Language Arts and Languages other than English will be explored. Students might create poetry or stories, but also may be inspired to create sculpture or jewelry in the shape of a word, or may find making a collage identifying parts of speech in several different languages their preferred way to explore the theme.

Music and Sound –
Students might explore music making and produce recordings with instruments and singing, or may make instruments to explore how sound is produced, make drawings of musical notes, or learn how to write lyrics to a song.

Shapes and Structures –
Everything from math, geometry, patterns, and planets might be explored as students investigate these concepts.  The concept of time can be illustrated by groupings of popsicle sticks, by observing the same piece of clothing in small medium and large sizes, or as a comic book style write up.  Even things like the number Pi and the food pie can both have meaning relevant to this theme.

Art and Design
History, science, sports, and all subject matters can be explored through art just as much as art can be for art’s sake.  Provided with an array of mixed media materials and inspirations, students are able to create pieces that are most meaningful to them.

After work has been created, it will be exhibited and students move around the room Gallery Walk-style reflecting upon and exploring ideas, questions and concepts regarding the unique ways each display relates to the day’s theme, Students continue to enjoy opportunities to enhance their creations based on peer to peer response (stressed as questions and positivity), and any other type of inspirations that come to them during their Walk.

In addition to addressing a variety of cognitive skills involving oral report analysis, evaluation, creativity, and synthesis, the Gallery Walk approach also promotes cooperation, listening skills, and team building.