Communication through the Arts

A.J. Gomes

Elementary Magnet School

for Communications through the Arts

      Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary defines communication as a process by which meanings are exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols.

The Alfred J. Gomes School has a very diverse population where English speaking students sit side by side with students who have recently arrived from other countries and heritages. To capitalize on this rich and culturally diverse population “Communication through the Arts” was the natural choice for our new magnet theme.

      The arts have long been known to genuinely unite people with ideas and emotions. Teaching through the arts helps students experience concepts rather than simply discussing or reading about them. These artistic endeavors include visual and performing, literary, music, and dance. This approach highlights the importance of reaching multiple learning styles. Researchers have also found that the arts have been remarkably effective in multicultural and multilingual settings removing many of the written and verbal language barriers.

      To connect the Arts to our core curriculum requires students to engage in the act of creating art themselves. Through theme based interdisciplinary units of instruction, the A. J. Gomes teachers are assisting students in the development of projects. At present, the grade level team projects are linked to the science and social studies curriculum. The displays or demonstrations of the projects that are being developed will give students, at all grade levels, the opportunity to share information with others that is also equally memorable for them. Using this project-based technique has been linked to students’ increased critical and creative thinking skills, self-esteem, willingness to take risks, and ability to work with others.

      As the adage goes – “It takes a village to raise a child” - the Gomes School is fortunate to have several partners assisting us.  Music in the Morning program has been running for several years at the A. J. Gomes school through the sponsorship of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra.  The ArtWorks! Partners for the Arts and Community provide quality Invest In Kids after-school programming and sponsorships for Gomes students.  Since literacy is at the heart of communication, each week SMILES volunteers enter our site to partner with individual students to read and form caring relationships. Noted children’s book author, Gretchen Pyne has paved the way additional resources and connections to arrive at our site. Through her associations, a one to one student partnership with the Tabor Academy has been created and which resulted in an extraordinary display of  A. J. Gomes student talent at our art show and a student created logo representing  our Dream Believe and Do motto. 

      Mrs. Pyne also set the wheels in motion for additional musical instruction by professional musician Mr. Rick Morin of the Rhythm Room. This year Mr. Morin is bringing rhythm to our second grade classes. Not only does this enhance our music program by introducing instruments a year earlier, but also integrates literacy, social and science skills during his weekly bucket drumming workshops  ( buckets donated by Lowe’s).

      The display of projects and productions to parents and community members     showcases our student’s learning through the arts. Together we are paving the way to a unified and stronger community.

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