TEACHING + LEARNING Statement
2024–2025
Leaps of IMAGINATION’S FALL programs launch oCTOBER 1.
Here’s the scoop.
As we kickoff this year’s programs, we follow school protocol when illness is prevalent.
Indoor + Outdoor Learning. We host our programs in classrooms, school libraries, art rooms, and out-of-doors. Every program has an outsie component, weather permitting.
Wheeler Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in Spruce Head, Maine, Wheeler Bay offers an ideal natural environment for Leaps’ young explorers. Children spend 3-4 hours in the sanctuary, observing, drawing, and making connections through art. Once an abandoned granite quarry, the space has been preserved by Len Greenhalgh and Jocelyn Paquette to support a wide variety of local species.
Individual Art Satchels. We provide each student with their own art satchel filled with materials for the project. It goes home at the end of the program.
Student Journals. Each child has a journal for drawing and idea-building that fits right into their art satchel. Leaps’ artists offer specific written feedback in response to student input.
Programs. Learning looks a bit different in Leaps. Our multi-week classes are 75–90 minutes long 2X a week and dovetail with grade level curriculum. At any moment young artists may be working in their journal, engaging in dialog with a partner or group of peers, researching, or applying new art making skills.
Leaps’ Release Forms. We require parents to sign a release form (media permission sign-off) so that we can post photos on our blog site and Leaps’ materials.
Find Leaps of Imagination’s Updates on our Website and Blogs.
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER. COLLABORATION COUNTS.
Each Leaps’ artist works with a small group of students as a facilitator, forging meaningful relationships and modeling new skills. Committed to a 5/1 student/ teacher ratio, Leaps of Imagination values personal connections.
We help forge student-to-student relationships between partners from across grade levels or in the same grade but in different sections. Collaboration is at the heart of every Leaps’ experience.
At the conclusion of each program we exhibit Leaps’ art so that community members can appreciate the beauty, complexity and connectivity that is part of all Leaps’ learning.
We are grateful to Daniel W. Dietrich ll Foundation, Maine Arts Commission, Maine Community Foundation, Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation, and Onion Foundation for making Leaps of Imagination possible in underserved schools.