DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.


 

                Emily Fitch, Youth Program Coordinator and students

 

 

The Riverton Study Center is largely made up of students from countries other than the U.S. They navigate between the worlds of their ancestry while at home and learn about U.S. culture and history through their schools and experiences outside of the home. The Study Center is a place where their two worlds are bridged. The Study Centers provide students a quiet place to get help with homework and while being in their neighborhood. 

 

Centers are open to all residents who need academic help. Computers, internet, and printers are available. Volunteers and staff are on hand to assist students of all ages with homework and college applications.

 

http://phastudycenters.weebly.com/

 

 

 

 

 

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Masks by the Riverton Study Center Students.

 

Masks are found in many different cultures around the world. They are used for celebrations, ceremonies and costume. This project was introduced shortly before Halloween, which is a holiday celebrated mainly in North America and the UK. For children, planning their costumes and participating in trick or treating is tradition that they look forward to all year long. All of my students at the Study Center were born in the United States but their parents were born in other countries. Their families are very new to the culture of the U.S. and many of their children do not yet participate in Halloween. I wanted to teach a project that would “hook” the students because of the time of year, but also has roots in other cultures and is not solely associated with Halloween.

 

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Silhouettes by the Riverton Study Center Students

 

Before photography, silhouette painting was a popular way to create portraits. Silhouette painting has a graphic and expressive quality which captures it’s subject accurately since everyone’s profile is unique. 

 

I wanted students to learn a traditional technique and create a piece of art they can be proud of and in turn be proud of themselves as individuals in the Riverton community. Once students painted their profile, they created their own unique backgrounds that represent them as individuals. Following the completion of their portraits, we had a conversation about what community means to them. After our conversation they chose a word that resonates with them when they think of community.

 

Martin Luther King was proud of who he was and taught ALL people to be proud of who they are and what their individual cultures represent. In the spirit of Martin Luther King, we created a project that has an expressive quality, and allows us to be proud of who we are, what we look like and reflect on our communities in which we live.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.