Wiley Students Participate in a Week of Learning at Krannert Art Museum

This week through Friday, September 16, forty-five fifth grade students from Wiley Elementary will attend school at Krannert Art Museum. The project, called KAM-WAM (Krannert Art Museum – Week At the Museum), is a result of Wiley’s efforts to collaborate with various units at the University of Illinois. Students will be attending classes throughout the museum from 9:00am – 2:30pm, Monday, September 12 – Friday, September 16.

In preparation for KAM-WAM, students are reading the book Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, a story about two 6th grade students from Chicago who are involved in an art mystery. The book, along with many of the exhibits at Krannert, will serve as the basis for integrated learning activities. Teachers have put together an amazing curriculum that includes art, music, dance, drama, math, science, writing, and history. Throughout the week, students will explore all of these topics through lessons taught by not only Wiley teachers, but also other guest educators from Krannert Art Museum, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and the Center for Education in Small Urban Communities.

Some of the projects students will be completing include making their own camera obscura, creating collages, composing music based on the Makeba! Exhibit, and exploring the 17th century Dutch paintings throughout the museum’s collection. At the end of the week, on Friday, September 16 at 6:00 pm, there will be an open house for parents to come and explore the projects that have been created. Families will be treated to a musical performance as well as the opportunity to see student videos, artwork, and various projects.

The teachers involved with KAM-WAM are Betty Allen, Rusty Clevenger, Marcia Richards, Cara Maurizi, Rebecca Cortright, Anne Sautman, Haeny Yoon, Ritu Radhakrishnan, Sam Smith, Rachel White, Marcia Wickes, and Amanda Rutledge. In addition, Wiley’s principal Barbara Sartain has been supportive and involved throughout the entire planning process.

Information provided by the Urbana School District.