SLE first grade receives One Class at a Time grant

SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake Elementary School first grade teacher Rachel Bemis won Republic Services and KPAX-TV One Class at a Time Grant last week. She was awarded $250 which she will use to purchase art supplies including watercolors, chalk, oil pastels and clay for her classroom.

Bemis is in the process of obtaining her master's degree through the Creative Pulse Master of Arts in Integrated Arts and Education from the University of Montana-Missoula.

"I was inspired last year as a new teacher at SLE to integrate art into many core subject areas," wrote Bemis in an email. "Using a variety of art mediums to drive home a concept has been very effective for my first graders."

After completing her first summer in the two-summer program, Bemis said integrating art has become an even higher priority for her. Since SLE does not have a dedicated art teacher, it is the general education teachers' responsibility to integrate creative opportunities for their students.

"My students love showing their level of understanding through art whether it be an oil pastel drawing, paper mache, water color, visual arts, theatre arts, dance or music," wrote Bemis.

In December, Bemis and her students took a field trip to Double Arrow Lodge. In addition to touring the lodge and kitchen, students made ornaments with pieces of wood.

Also in December, Bemis's parents, quarterly volunteers in her class, helped students cut scrapbooking paper, measure it (math) and design a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree.

Last week, the first graders were working on a polar bear craft that incorporates math fact families.

Bemis passion for art integration doesn't stop with obtaining supplies. She enjoys bringing professional artists into the classroom to discuss various forms of art. Bemis's artist friend from Kalispell worked with the students to create clay bears for the Bear Awareness Art Show. Local painter Kris Gullikson has also shared her expertise.

"Kris Gullikson has been so generous with her time and worked with my littles on a fun self-portrait/watercolor piece," wrote Bemis who added Gullikson is returning in February for a Valentine's project.

Bemis also reached out to the Art Mobile of Montana to see if they would come to SLE.

Bemis wrote, "I was thrilled that Mr. Schrock approved this and they'll be coming in February for all of our students at SLE."

 

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