Penson School Grade 5 teacher Lori Szmul is thrilled with the artwork she is receiving from her students, produced for a Medicine Wheel Dream art project. She says her class was allowed to interpret the project any way their hearts desired, not only because it's art, but because they are all working with different materials at home. Students were asked to draw a circle and divide it into quadrants representing the four energies of the Medicine Wheel – spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental. Students then reflected on each aspect by writing words and drawing images to express their feelings. While still in this brainstorming mode, students painted an abstract watercolour background using colours that express their dreams, goals and visions. The final step required students to add and then decorate a photo of themselves, or a picture from a magazine, that represents their vision of themselves.

Carsyn Kowal's (left) and Lucy Clarke's (middle and right) interpretation of the Grade 5 Medicine Wheel Dream art project.
-30-