Kendra Foley
Hosmer School art teacher Hae-In Kim, right, and music teacher Sara Patashnick worked together to create curriculum called Arts Around the World.
The art and music teachers at the Hosmer Elementary School have created a unique collaboration – one that benefits the 600 students they so thoughtfully serve.
Art teacher Hae-In Kim and music teacher Sara Patashnick worked over the last year during their professional development time to build a year-long collaborative framework for the second grade art and music curriculum called Arts Around the World. This curriculum focuses on the art and music from different countries and cultures.
Kendra Foley
A Hosmer student works on a Mexican hojalata art project, creating a frame for embossed metal art.
They realized the benefits of collaboration, both for themselves and for their students. Connecting art and music throughout the year in a deliberate way adds context and depth to student understanding. Their curriculum also creates home/school connections, as they focus on the countries and cultures reflected in the school. They use music and art as teaching tools to foster unity and understanding. For a district focused on global competency, this is one of many examples of how our teachers bring those lessons to life.
As I spoke to these two extraordinary teachers, their passion and love for their work came shining through. I was particularly struck by one outcome they stressed: process over product. They are teaching students to value their experience, that process and technique are more important than the finished product. In a world of instant gratification and the expectation of immediate results, this is a lesson that will serve our students well throughout their lives.
Submitted by Kendra Foley, Hosmer School parent
3 cheers for our art and music faculty! You continue to inspire us.