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About Map-Maling Project

About Map-Maling Project

ABOUT OUR MAP-MAKING PROJECT
"Walk with Us" Story, 2023

Fall 2022- Lanterns, Tiny Critters and a Collaborative Land Acknowledgement

Students in grades K-4 had the opportunity to work with a local artist-in-residence, Erin Maile O’Keefe. We started the year with her, creating lanterns and small clay ‘critters’ from the forest to adorn our table at our annual Harvest Dinner. 2nd and 3rd graders also created poetry honoring the forest  that they presented at the event. The aim was to create a new-found interest and relationship with the forest space in preparation for our map-making journey to come…
 

A table adorned with colorful lights and various toys, creating a festive and playful atmosphere.A table adorned with numerous hanging lights and colorful paper lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere.

A table adorned with numerous hanging lights and colorful paper lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere.A beautifully set table featuring an array of hanging lights and vibrant paper lanterns, enhancing the decor.

 

A table adorned with colorful lights and various toys, creating a festive and playful atmosphere.A table adorned with numerous hanging lights and colorful paper lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere.

A table adorned with numerous hanging lights and colorful paper lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere.A beautifully set table featuring an array of hanging lights and vibrant paper lanterns, enhancing the decor.

 

 

Spring 2023- Drafting our Map, Creating our "Walks," Making Art

 

Then, in the spring, Erin returned for a two-week residency and worked alongside Ms. Suzanne and Ms. Sperling to engage our students in a map-making project that would create various interactive maps of our school forest!  

A small group of students worked together to create our ‘base map.’  They took measurements and carefully plotted out a map that was as accurate as possible– learning about scale, orienteering and how to use symbols and simple drawings to depict areas of the forest.  

Children playing with a colorful toy on the floor of a library, surrounded by books and shelves.

A young boy stands proudly holding a small lawn mower, ready to help with yard work.

A group of children gathered around a table, engaged in drawing with paper and pencils.

Then, each class created their own map. Working with various themes (animals, senses, poses, riddles, macro-lens views)- each student created a stop along the map (they are marked in the forest on wood-burned tree slices thanks to 3rd grade!). They also created a piece of art to accompany the stop and adorn their class’ map.

A woman and a boy are gently touching a tree with a hollow trunk, exploring its natural features together.

Two boys proudly display their colorful paintings in a bright classroom setting.

Two children are seated at a table, engaged in painting with brushes and colorful paints spread before them.

This project is the beginning of continued improvement to our school forest and trail system. Our hope is to bring the community into our space so they can also enjoy our beautiful forest that we are so lucky to have as another classroom!   

We hope to see you in the forest soon!