Memory Writing: Connecting with an Artist

Second, third and fourth grade students had the opportunity to forge a connection with an artist and her exhibit called:What is it About My Memory? Artist Sherri Cornett creates exhibitions at galleries around the world based on issues that resonate with her. When her mother started to lose her memory, Sherri realized how precious our memories are and she developed this project.

 (This link will enable one to read more about Sherri Cornett and her art. http://www.sherricornett.com/)
We received a package of large tags that the students used to write their own memories. These tags have now been sent back to Sherri and will be tied on to her sculpture to be part of this project.
The first step for our students after looking at the image of Sherri's sketch for her sculpture and learning about the reason she thought of this idea was to listen to the book- This is the Rope A Story of the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson.

In this book a family remembers and shares important memories attached to the use of a rope that is passed down through several generations. After listening and sharing memories from the book and from their own lives, students then wrote a draft of their own memory. We discussed the power that just a few sentences can have when descriptive words are used. After revising and editing their writing, they then chose a tag to write their final version. They included their first name and age on the tag. This experience was meaningful for the students, and it was clear watching them in the various stages of this process that they were aware of the power of memories and the power of sharing a piece of themselves with the greater world. We are looking forward to updating this blog when the installation is complete and we can share where this exhibition will be installed.