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Somewhere in the Park

School: PS 42

City/State: New York City, NY

Grade(s): 1

Format(s): Children's book

Subject(s): English Language Arts, Visual Arts

Project Overview

This children’s book was created by 1st grade students at PS-42 in New York City about their local park. Combining simple sentences with collage-style art, students tell the story of all the different things that happen in their park.

Students made multiple fieldwork excursions to the park, during which they made observations about what people do when they are in the park.

The artwork used is known as ripped-paper collage. Each page was created by a pair of students, who worked on the collaged images and the accompanying text. The power of the book lies in the simplicity and freshness of the collage images and spare, lyric text.

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Demonstrates the beauty and power of paper collage as an artistic medium. The book has a fresh sensibility and style – an iconic spirit - as compared to typically drawn illustrations
  • The combination of student-produced collage with the typed text lends a sophisticated feel to a product that is still clearly done by students
  • The writing has a timeless, lyric, poetic feel
  • Students chose to write and illustrate interesting aspects of the park. For example, students say, “Somewhere in the green field, a lady is dancing” and “Somewhere near the treetop, a brown nest can be seen.”
  • Shows one of the many and varied products that centers around an investigation of a local resource

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
W.1.2
  • I can include an ending to my informational text.
W.1.8
  • With support from adults, I can answer questions about things I’ve done or learned about.
W.3.4
  • With support from adults, I can produce writing that is appropriate to task and purpose.
L.1.1
  • I can use grammar conventions to send a clear message to a reader or listener.
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