"Read the Kansas City Star news article about The H.O.P.E. Art Project"
http://www.kansascity.com/238/story/1165410.html
Nia Educational Consulting’s
H.O.P.E. Art Project
Healing Our boys through Poetic Expressions and Art
The mission of The H.O.P.E. Art Project is to help young boys express deep emotions through writing, enhance their literacy skills, and make meaningful connections with their community. The H.O.P.E. Art Project seeks to help young boys develop the confidence, drive, and determination to positively contribute to society.
How does it work?
Nia Educational Consulting works with teachers to develop a thematic writing unit. Throughout this unit:
- Teachers receive professional development in best practices for literacy instruction and strategies to get boys engaged in school
- Boys are exposed to and compose various forms of writing
- Boys are encouraged to express themselves in their writing
- Boys are expected to read from various genres to enhance vocabulary
- Community leaders visit the classroom to discuss numerous topics
At the conclusion of the unit, the boys’ writings are given to local artists ranging from high school students, to college students, to professional artists. The artists then interpret the writing into some form of artwork. The culminating event is an art show that serves as a fundraiser for the project and the school. If possible, the art exhibit then travels to different galleries throughout the city.
Why boys?
- Boys are suspended from school three times as much as girls.
- Boys’ suicide rate is five times greater than girls.
- Boys are eight times more likely than girls to be in the juvenile correctional system.
- Boys are 50% more likely than girls to be held back a grade.
- Approximately 70% of all special education students are boys.
- Only 48% of African-American and 49% of Hispanic boys graduate high school.
- Boys score an average of 18 points lower than girls on state reading and writing tests.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, "OCR Elementary and Secondary School Survey: 2003.
January- May 2009
Nia Educational Consulting is conducting the H.O.P.E. Art Project at Gordon Parks Elementary Charter School. The 5th grade boys have been studying the life of President Barack Obama. They have taken themes from his life- struggle, perseverance, hardship, abandonment, and achievement. The boys have made connections to their own lives and are writing poetry that deals with these themes.
The culminating poetry/art show will be Friday, May 1 from 6:30pm-9:30pm at Studio 2131. (2131 Washington St. KCMO 64108) There is a $10/person suggested donation. Cash donations will be accepted at the door. Check donations may be made payable to: Nia Consulting’s H.O.P.E. Art Project. Mail checks to: Nia Educational Consulting, 2100 Grand Blvd. Suite 6, KCMO 64108. To donate to the project via credit card, please click below.
Click here to print a flyer:
H.O.P.E._Art_Flyer_Gordon_Parks.doc
