Project AIM (Arts Integration Model) is in its 5th year of implementation at Pine Shadows.  The funds supporting Project AIM have been provided by Houston A+.  The purpose of Project AIM is to increase student success through the  integration of fine arts disciplines such as music, visual arts, dance and theater into the traditional curricular subjects of Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.  We have a 3-fold strategy to ensure quality arts integration. 

First, all staff receive regular professional development within the fine arts disciplines and how they can be used as tools to teach traditional curricular areas.  Secondly, all students and teachers at PSE will be given the opportunity to work with an “Artist in Residence” for 10 weeks.  The purpose of this partnership is to encourage collaboration between artists, teachers and students as they seek a common curricular goal within each lesson.  For example, a class studying the water cycle as part of their study in science, might have an artist help them develop a dance which would physically depict the water cycle they are studying.  Students needed help with math facts might work with a musician to compose a song just for them.  The possibilities are as endless as they are transferable.  We hope that many of our experiences will lend themselves to being shared with other students and teachers within our school as well as our community. 

The third strategy embedded within Project AIM is quality Fine Arts education for its own sake.  Research has proven that student achievement is increased when students are given the opportunity to truly experience the arts.  We set aside time within our schedule for our students to work with our campus fine arts specialists.  We bring in performances from around our diverse community that inspire and encourage our students.  We also arrange for field trips that give students the opportunity to experience fine arts within the “real world”. 

We are optimistic in our hope that this year will be the grandest year thus far within Project AIM as it is the very first year that each part of our “3-fold strategy” is truly implemented.  Watch for updates and talk to your students as they experience these wonderful opportunities for learning!