During the 2002-03 school year, the 5th and 6th graders particpated in a unit that focused on Best Practices in Art related to the completion of my Masters Degree. The students worked in small groups and thoroughly investigated one of 16 famous works of art from the U-46 art curriculum. They created presentations of each work and spoke about them to the class. The students used web diagrams and visuals to present the information they discovered through web research and books. The students then evaluated each work of art and presentation for it's quality. They voted on the 16 works using a ballot to choose their top 4 selections of works that would be the most appropriate to create into murals. They took into consideration the importance of the work and the artist along with the subject matter. These are the four paintings that won the votes.

House 1 "The Great Wave at Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai Painted by Kiersa, Jack, Bethany, Cailey & Andrew	House 2 "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh Painted by Jessica S., Ellie, Nichole, Katie & Stephanie
House 3 "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper Painted by Avi, Joe, Briana, Addie & Danielle L.	House 4 "Japanese Bridge" by Claude Monet Painted by Tara, Andrew, Emily L., Emily M. & Haylie

During the 1st semster of the 2003-04 school year, students were selected to create the murals from the previous years vote. Students volunteered based on interest and then randomly chosen to participate. We painted House 1 and 2 first (with Miss Hill helping to supervise). Each mural took 3 weeks which consisted of three 1-hour sessions after school. Each mural measures about 5 1/2 by 7 feet. The first step was to mark off the wall with tape and prime it (teachers took care of that!). Each group then transfered a line drawing onto the wall using an overhead projector. The students then used about 10 colors of paint to fill in large sections during the first and second weeks. The final details and removal of tape was during the third week. The students were completely responsible for all aspects of the murals. The teachers were simply monitoring and offering support. They mixed their own colors, made choices about replecating the original work and delegated responsibilities. These beautiful works are permanently on display at Liberty in the beginning of each house.

How they were created:
Starry night girls drawing from the overhead onto the wall.	Nighthawks crew halfway through painting.