Jan. 24, 2017 -- Students in Noble Elementary's Peer to Peer mentoring program are creating works of visual art, while focusing on teamwork, social-emotional growth, and literacy skills.
The Peer to Peer mentoring program (P2P) pairs English Learner students with native English speakers who needs extra help in literacy. Native students testing less than a year below grade level benefit from the repeated practice of language skills they lack, and act as role models. Nepali refugees make up nearly 10% of the student population at Noble.
The program is funded by a three-year 21st Century Grant. For the arts-focused portion of the grant, P2P leadership brought on artists Bill Morgan and Laura Cooperman from the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning; Morgan's focus is theater arts and Cooperman's is visual arts. Earlier in the year, students did sign language, creative movement and a mini play. The CAL is on-site Monday and Thursday for an hour each day.
"The students have been able to work together without a language barrier," explained Meghan McMahon, the district's 21st Century Grant Coordinator. "They focused on teamwork, listening, social and emotional growth, literacy skills, and learning about each other via art enrichment."
The arts program runs from October-May. Semester 2 will focus on dance and graphic design.
Tiffany Rowan is the on-site coordinator for P2P. If you are interested in volunteering as a tutor, contact Ms. Rowan at 216-320-4918 or [email protected].
Photo Gallery
