2nd Place - Elementary Division
Deer Creek Elementary School
Department of Special Services
Edmond, OK
Vote! Rise Up and Be Counted
Rise Up and Be Counted, by Deer Creek Elementary School, has been a collaborative effort within the Special Services Department including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Special Educators. The supplies for our project were donated by individual parents as well as the Parent Teacher Organization. Students who participated in the project came to us with a variety of strengths and weaknesses. We teach students to recognize their strengths while learning to use those internal strengths to compensate for their weaknesses. The title, "Vote! Rise Up and Be Counted," is perfect for us because it's often difficult for these students to feel important and to stand up for themselves. Through this project, they learned to cooperate and appreciate one another's contribution to the final product. They learned that each part of the process was as important as the next; and that they were each a valuable part of the project, as well as a valuable individual in our community. We have had many discussions about politics and voting while gathered around the collage board.
The symbolism of the collage begins at the bottom. The "grass roots" of the learning experience begins with learning the value and rewards involved with volunteer and cooperative work. It is where the work of political platforms begin; where we learn to communicate with one another within our community and to let our voices be heard. We also learn the value of voting and the importance of registering to vote when we turn 18. Several deer can be seen throughout the grass representing our school spirit.
The middle, red, section focuses on "Oklahoma people of the Red Earth". They can be seen dancing, celebrating, "partying", while joining up together to make the people of our town, state, and nation.
The sunshine reminds us of the rising and setting of the sun; and that we may vote during the hours from 7 in the morning to 7 in the evening.
The blue sky teaches us that together, when we learn to stand up for ourselves, the sky is the limit. Comments from students grades K-5 about this project are as follows: Samantha: "I learned about making little pieces of art fit together. I liked the colors mixed together. I watched voting on T.V. and I'm going to vote when I turn 18." Braxton: "We get to vote when we're 18 because I will help make decisions." Briggs: "I like the coloring and painting. Each person made each fingerprint and I want to paint with Bev." Grayson: "Anyone is allowed to vote. You have a free choice and no one can stop you from voting. When you're 18, you have to have a reason to vote for the senator or president, or any type of government. I like the collage because it tells you that you are allowed to vote for anything you want to." Braden: "I like the deer because they're quick animals. Voting is a good reason to help our school." Daniel: "I kinda like the blue because it's my favorite color. It is fun to vote." Anthony: "I liked gluing the deer down. It was really fun. I learned that it takes a lot of work to complete a collage. It took a lot of people." Cody: "When you make an art project, you have to add lots of color and detail. Voting is very important and we use it more than you would think." Alana: "I learned to help people vote about the president. I enjoyed helping put on the paper. My favorite part is the VOTE." Amani: "I learned to help people vote for the president. I enjoyed gluing. My favorite part is the people holding hands and dancing." Cole: "I think the people should vote if they are 11 or 10 instead of 18. I think the voting part of the collage is an inspiration to all the people." Dillon: "I learned that voting helps select the president of the United States. I never realized how art could be so beautiful. My favorite part, is the yellow around the vote because it's eye catching. I've always been good at drawing, but I never realized that colors bunched together could really make a masterpiece." Alex: "I like glue. It was fun. I liked to glue the blue." Alex N: "It takes a lot of teamwork to make something that's worth it. It also takes a lot of teamwork to accomplish something that you really want, such as a way to make the world a better place. I thought it was really neat!" Ashley: "I learned that you get things done faster when you work together. The swirls in the sky look cool." Zach: "I learned about voting. It's a very Special thing. I really liked the blue swirly things."
Deer Creek Elementary School
Department of Special Services, Grades 1-5
Edmond, OK |
