Skip to main content

Elective Highlight: Peer-to-Peer Creative Expression

Last semester, I took Peer-to-Peer Creative Expression. It was an art class with Mrs. Vayanos, where older students
worked with peers from the Mr. Zebrasky’s special education class to express themselves creatively and build artistic
skills. 
The class pulled a variety of mediums for the projects, and weeks were “themed.” For instance, one week was themed with leaves, and for a project we went outside and collected leaves for leaf rubbings. We also cut large leaves out of watercolor paper and used watercolors to paint them. Occasionally, the class would set up scavenger hunts around the school, so that week we went around and collected paper leaves. At the end, we went downstairs to Mr. Z’s showcase and pinned the leaves to a paper tree.
As 3-dimensional projects were popular, we also borrowed projects from different classes. We spent a few weeks using clay to make the themed mugs from the Creativity and Innovation curriculum, which sparked a common interest in clay for the class. We also made the cardboard letters from Ceramics and Sculpture, using a collage method to decorate them.
Ceramics were popular in the class, with some students branching off to make their own clay projects, such as action figures. We also used clay near the end of the semester to make snow globes. We bought bases and globes, then used clay to build a scene inside before filling them with water and glitter. 
    The final projects were tailored to everyone’s interests, although books from the Crafts class were a common choice. Students designed pages and covers, before binding them together to build a book.
Peer-to-Peer Creative Expression was a class like no other, where we pulled different skills and interests and combined them to create a creatively stimulating environment. It was admirable how Mrs. Vayanos adapted the class day-to-day in an effort to fulfill such a broad variety of interests. Each day brought new ideas and new experiences, making it a class I thoroughly enjoyed and that everyone seemed to look forward to. As we get closer to scheduling for next year, I would definitely recommend Peer-to-Peer Creative Expression if you’re looking for an elective to take.
Grey August Perino, Junior

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Homecoming Dance

Homecoming is something many people look forward to during their high school years. For the Sophomores, it's one of the first traditional dances they’re invited to. For Juniors, it's a celebration of growing up, a right of passage. And for Seniors, it's one of the last big dances they attend before graduation, and a chance to run for Homecoming King or Queen. Homecoming court always creates a stir among students, be it underclassmen wondering which running seniors will win titles, or hopeful voters eager to see if their favorite candidate will be crowned King or Queen.  This year, however, Homecoming elections sparked a very different conversation among students. Initially scheduled for  Friday's pep rally, the heavily anticipated  announcements of King and Queen were postponed until the Homecoming football game at the last minute. Mr. Loughren teased students on stage with an envelope holding the King and Queen winners, building suspense before announcing...
1 comment
Read more

The Eco-Challenge at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of environmental scientists and ecologists is steadily growing. Part of the reason could easily be the increasing number of botanical gardens around the world and the number of activities for children inside of them. Carlynton School District is lucky to have a garden less than 20 minutes from its community. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was constructed in 1893 as a gift to the city of Pittsburgh. Including this year, and five years prior, our local conservatory has hosted a middle school and high school event called the Eco-Challenge. This educational event teaches of the different works and wonders an environmental scientist can do to make real and positive change in the world. This year approximately 25 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 in the Gifted and Enrichment program attended the Eco Challenge at Phipps on September 12, 2019. Next to Phipps is a school-sized building powered entirely by solar power. In t...
1 comment
Read more

Spanish Students of the Month

A student of the month is an individual who shows an outstanding work of determination and responsibility. The Spanish teacher, Mrs. Rusinko, has been seeking for those qualities in students over the past month. Since 2014, Carlynton Jr. Sr. High School has been hosting Spanish classes with Mrs. Rusinko. These students get to pick from a list of Spanish names and are called that when somebody needs their attention. During this class, students explore a world of unique cultures and learn about the diversity between many Spanish countries and the United States. The Spanish students of the months, Bridget (Lola) Maloy, Clara (Diego) Keller, Leah, (Celia) Zielinski, and Shelby (Gabriela) Palmer have shown a great deal of hard work and dedication throughout the month. They have put a lot of time and effort into becoming exceptional individuals. Being chosen as a student of the month is quite an honor and these student should be proud. Olivia Thompson 7t...
1 comment
Read more