Freedom Writers of Elmira

This week and last I have been working with Ms. Welch's English class at the Alternative High School in Elmira, NY. They have been studying the Freedom Writer's Diary this year, learning about the Holocaust and writing poetry about it and about their own lives. Ms. Welch asked me to come in and help the students develop a visual element for this project. I suggested the idea of painting in acrylic on canvas. There may be an opportunity for students to read their poetry and the canvases could create a backdrop; a wall of imagery behind the speaker that relates to what they are talking about. The
work will also be separate and portable. There may be opportunities for showing their work in a gallery-type setting, or for bringing it to other schools to share their accomplishments.
Students already had the poem they wanted to work with chosen when I arrived and I led a drawing workshop where they sketched their ideas to scale. The next time, I helped as students transferred their sketches onto canvas in paint. Yesterday, I set the goal of covering the canvas in paint. Tomorrow, our last day together, I plan to help them with details and finishing up. Ms. Welch and Ms. Lake, who assists in the class, are leading by their example and both making paintings based on poetry they have written.
I have been so impresses by the students' work! I have really enjoyed this experience and would love to work with Ms. Welch and her students again. Thank you, Elmira Alternatives School!