Residency with PS 172: Art + Writing Curriculum

In the fall semester of the 2021-2022 school year, MAPS again partnered with PS 172 to create and implement an arts-integrated writing curriculum for 1st and 2nd grade students.

Second graders built puppets using plaster and fabric, covering them with visual representations of memory and emotion. Students then used these puppets (with their in-built memories and emotions) as catalysts for story writing, “finding” stories with their puppet as a guide.

First graders wrote books inspired by Charlotte Zolotow’s “Do You Know What I’ll Do?” and MAPS guided them in the creation of beautiful collage-based art, inspired by a wide range of visual art by a diverse cohort of contemporary artists.

In both grades, our lessons highlighted critical discussion of visual art, finding shapes, characters, moods and stories in abstract paintings, sculptures and other artistic works and forging connections to other topics like science, history, culture and daily life.