When students practice with the bamboo brush and ink in the art room, it
involves the mind and the body, like a Tai Chi class.
Walk through the lower school building, and you will find every classroom, stairwell and hallway adorned
with student art. Behind each piece is a lesson thoughtfully planned by art teacher Brenda Friedman focused
not only on helping students know and understand a variety of artists and their styles, but also on the
interconnection of art, culture and identity.
Each school year as part of the Asia unit in the art room, fourth grade students take a deep dive into studying
China to learn about a global culture that is thousands of years old and cultural practices that remain a rich,
powerful force in the world today. Although part of the curriculum for the past several years, Friedman's
understanding of these topics was strengthened when she received a travel grant to visit China with middle
school Chinese teacher Graham Bauerle as her guide in 2015. Fourth graders try their hands at Chinese brush
painting, absorb lessons on the Zodiac calendar and practice Chinese language pronunciation in collaboration
with the upper and middle school Chinese teachers and students. e experience culminates with field trips to
Latin's 3rd Space and Sun Wah BBQ restaurant in our partner neighborhood, Uptown.
Art=Culture
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AROUND SCHOOL
