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Berwick Artwork and Literature Unveiled at Wexner Center for the Arts
February 16, 2023 -- Berwick students showed off their art and literature in a truly artistic fashion at a grand reception attended by peers, educators, and parents.
"I felt excited,” said third-grade student Austin Perry. “They had TVs that showed us doing the project. The food was fancy, and they even had people to hang up our coats. I love [The] Ohio State University!"
A charter bus filled with third graders transported the eager scholars to their field trip destination: the Mershon Lobby Auditorium and Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University.
Students and educators at Berwick worked collaboratively on a literacy and art project with OSU’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement (EDGE) to present the Equity and Justice Read Around initiative. The initiative hopes to bring together educators and scholars while reading and discussing work related to justice and equity.
For the Berwick third-grade students, this project centered around the book, The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard.
“The Oldest Student was chosen because we needed a book that was appropriate for students,” said Third Grade Teacher Wanda Mays. “Since third graders are still learning to read, they were able to relate to the struggle.”
The project began in December when OSU staff visited and met the scholars. Then it became more involved during January when OSU returned weekly for workshops and facilitated in-class work.
“We were able to cover the standard in the writing process, writing, revisions, editing, and publishing,” Mays said. “It is also part of the standard that with the help of someone, students should be able to complete a written piece. Now they have a published piece on display.”
Each student received a hardcover copy of the book. In addition, they received sticky notes to take notes and jot down any questions they had, or what they hoped to learn throughout the story to understand it better.
Using information from the book, students created a type of artwork made from three pieces or panels referred to as a triptych. Similar collage-type visuals were applied to create the panels, as shown in the book. The three panels combine to tell the story’s beginning, middle, and end. Students also wrote letters to Mary Walker, the book’s main character.
“It was nice to see students make lots of connections with Walker in their letters,” said student teacher and OSU student Abigail Heffelfinger. “I thought it was really meaningful and interesting for them to hear about [Walker’s] life when she was younger. Students asked a lot of questions about what life was like back then when [Walker] was a slave. They asked questions like ‘what toys did she play with?’ It took them a while to realize what life was like for her.”
Every third grader involved in the project received a postcard and pin from OSU for their hard work. All works will be on display at OSU for an entire year.
"I thought the trip was like an adventure,” said third-grade student Jamiyah Boone. “We saw our letters that we wrote to Mrs. Mary. I was excited to see my classmates on the TVs and thrilled to see our artwork on display!"