Sixth grade students leaped into the waters of their new school year with an activity designed to foment connection and class bonding. The 6th grade teaching team came up with a great project for opening days and orientation that started the year in a creative, positive way and will last through both terms.
Pat Woessner, Middle School Coordinator of Instructional Technology, used the maker space to laser cut four different styles of fish. Students then selected one fish each and took to the art studio to paint. They were challenged to represent who they are, whether by showing a passion, a hobby, where they’re from, or more. “They could be literal, like painting a soccer ball, or painting mountains to represent hiking,” explained Mark Duvall, 6th Grade Dean. As the students painted, they shared what they were doing with classmates, which meant getting to know each other on a deeper level.
After the paint dried, students took their fish to the 6th grade hallway “aquarium,” painted high on the wall. The fish will swim up there all year long, reminding students of our colorful community with diverse interests and backgrounds. At the end of the school year, the rising 7th grade students will get their fish back as mementos of their year, and next year the sea will be freshly populated with a new school of student fish.
Way to go, 6th grade students! May the rest of your year go swimmingly!