By Linda White
Around the world in 80 days? Make that two days, June 4 and 5, if you are the talented Davis School team who have created a world map on their playground.
The initial vision of an outdoor world map painted on the Davis School playground began ten years ago with an article on playground map projects. That vision is now a reality with a 20’ x 44’ depiction of the continents, oceans and sea life crafted by Davis teachers, students, parents and members of the Bedford Community. Funding was provided by a grant from the Bedford Education Foundation.
Click to see or print images by Linda White or by Meredith Watt
First grade teachers Kristie Kimball-Dorey and Jill Beers spearheaded, coordinated and nurtured the project with a goal of providing “a more kinesthetic, developmentally appropriate approach to teaching students about mapping: the continents, countries, oceans and their locations, as well as cardinal directions – goals consistent with the standards set forth by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for Social Studies. An additional benefit is that children would have the opportunity to leave the indoors to engage with an outdoor classroom.” Beth Benoit, Davis School Principal, commented that the project “has resulted in amazing conversations between families and children as they viewed the work being done and jumped in to help with the painting while discussing family origins and the multicultural environment at Davis as well as an appreciation of what a community effort can accomplish in a short period of time.”
Kimball-Dorey stated “There are many people who worked to make this project possible but without the technical understanding, collaborative assistance, vision and creativity of David Trant this project would not have occurred.”
The entire Trant family was intimately involved, including David’s wife Meredith, their children Miles (first grade), Elizabeth (kindergarten) and Meredith’s mother, Karen Watt. David architected and scaled the transfer of the map perspective and image from the initial article to eight, two and a half foot strips of paper to the playground hardtop allowing the students to begin their painting. Watt drew the six ocean animals and made them come to life, including an orca with a hint of a smile and a Rockhopper Penguin that is familiar to all first grade students who studied penguins earlier this year.
Six classrooms have been involved. The painting of the oceans was completed by kindergarten students and first grade students went to work painting the continents. Kim Marino’s second grade students have been busy documenting and videotaping the project’s progress on iPads and with Tech Support help from Matt Hall will create a movie of the project progress. Teaching Assistant Judy Johnson has been a jack of all trades on the work site. Sarah Dorer assisted students in researching and selecting the ocean animals. Librarian Jeremy Royds helped with sizing the animal templates. John Dooley of Bedford ColorWorks provided expert consultation with paint and color selections.
David Trant reflected “This project would not have been possible without Kristie Kimball-Dorey. She is a patient, generous and gifted teacher who is quick to give credit to everyone who helped to give life to this project. However, she was truly the spirit of the project and made it meaningful for all the students and others who participated.”
The finished work will include continent and ocean names as well as compass roses and a key. Bring your family and visit the World at Davis School!
Loading ...
