My ________ Book

About

The MCA brings the Common Core to life by offering fourth-through-sixth-grade students a chance to debate, discuss, and connect to works of art through multiple visits to the museum. Designed in alignment with English Language Arts Standards, the Multiple Visit Program (MVP) uses contemporary art to sharpen students’ critical and creative thinking skills and their abilities to engage in collaborative dialogue and inquiry. Repeat field trips enable students to develop a sense of confidence and agency within the museum. Multipart professional development equips participating teachers with strategies to prepare students for the field trips, assess learning in the galleries, and facilitate post-visit reflection.

MVP has evolved in exciting ways over its three-year existence. We were most excited to pilot My_______Book, a new student journal designed specifically for the program to capture students' learning while providing a creative outlet. The journal contains writing and drawing prompts that encourage students to describe, analyze, and interpret artworks and ideas that emerge during their visits to the MCA, as well as formulate questions about art and their own understandings. During the 90-minute tour, MCA artist guides seamlessly blended conversation activities and writing prompts with opportunities for students to share with each other what they had written. Following the tour, students wrote letters to the museum asking questions, sharing reflections, and offering profound observations about their experience.

We are excited to share a sample of these journals (with transcriptions) and provide a window into the creative and critical imaginations of our newest art experts.