HŌ'Ā Program Overview
“At its core, the HŌ'Ā program is about collaboration, connection, and creation. Students connect to the ‘āina and create art from this place of connection in order to develop individual and community well-being.”
- Laurel Nakanishi, HŌ'Ā director
Overview
Students grades 2-6 and their teachers work with a Teaching Artist and ‘Āina Educator during five scaffolded sessions that introduce them to their home ahupua‘a, engage them in outdoor, place-based learning, and lead them through the artistic process to reflect on an important emotion or idea. Two of the five sessions will take place in the mālama ‘āina site where the ‘Āina Educator is based. These field trips will offer students an opportunity to build relationships with a culturally important place near their home while reflecting on their learning through art making with the Teaching Artist. The Hawai‘i SFCA’s Art in Public Places artwork will play a key role in helping students connect their learning at the mālama ‘āina site with their lives. Lessons will be tied to Nā Hopena Aʻo and National Core Arts Standards.
Program Flow
Session 1:
Classroom visit with Teaching Artist and ‘Āina-based Educator.
Session 4:
Classroom visit with Teaching Artist to reflect on learning and develop a piece of art or arts practice.
Session 2:
Field trip to the Mālama ‘Āina site; culturally meaningful work and learning; reflection through art.
Session 5 and Beyond:
Students, with the guidance of their Classroom Teacher, create a presentation of their learning for younger children, parents or the community. (Teachers may also request individual coaching on arts integration with their teaching artist.)
Session 3:
Field trip to the Mālama ‘Āina site; culturally meaningful work and learning; reflection through art.
Is your school interested in participating?
Before the sessions with students, Teaching Artists, ‘Āina-based Educators, & Classroom Teachers come together to create a culturally rich arts learning curriculum for elementary school students grades 2-5.
‘Āina Arts Teaching Cohort
To further support classroom teachers, we are offering a PD opportunity for classroom teachers. Learn more about the ‘Āina Arts Teaching Cohort here.
Collaboration is our foundation
Key Elements
Culturally meaningful work that develops a sense of belonging and responsibility within students
Engagement in the artistic process that leads students from a concept, through revision and into a final piece of art that expresses an important emotion or idea
A student-led project to present HŌ‘Ā learning to younger children at the school
Engagement with the State’s Art in Public Places collection to develop National Core Arts Standards-based learning
Extensive professional development for teachers on arts integration and ‘āina-based learning, especially as they relate to Nā Hopena Aʻo