Artist in Residence Dingle Elementary

Leatherback Sea Turtle,  By: Xitlaly - 5th grade

I recently completed an Artist in Residence program at Dingle Elementary in Woodland, CA. I split 18 hours of class time between three classes of 5th graders over three weeks.

Using my endangered species book, "Through Endangered Eyes - a poetic journey into the wild" as an example, my goal was to create a book that the students would write and illustrate about California endangered species. 

Each student was assigned a different animal. I spent three hours with each class writing poetry. The poems were four line stanzas, which two lines rhymed. I devoted three hours with each class painting. We used my style of painting, a mosaic acrylic dot painting approach in front of a sponge painted background.

The results were surprising, fascinating and magical.

Here are a few of my favorite poems and paintings from the students.

Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard (Endangered)

By: Anyeli C. (5th grade)

I have the pattern of a leopard,

                              and my snout is flat.

      Yes, just like a leopard, but

                    of course I’m not a cat.

California Condor (Endangered)

By: Mason T. (5th grade)

The California Condor

              has a bald head.

   California condors

          will eat stuff that’s dead.

California Red-Legged Frog (Threatened)

By: Jessie (4th grade)

You usually find me 

         in the Bay.

                  I use my eyes 

                          to track my prey.

Alameda Whipsnake, - By: Gerardo - 5th grade

California Clapper Rail, - By: Eli - 4th grade