School: Ka Waihona o Ka Na’auao Public Charter School
Grade Level: Grades K-1
Teacher: Dariess Ah Sui
Driving Question: How can we create handmade art to celebrate/communicate a sense of aloha and the beauty of our lives? How can art help us express our feelings, thoughts, and emotions in positive ways?
What did the students DO?
This group engages keiki in a variety of arts and crafts projects specifically designed to develop fine motor skills while fostering creativity and personal expression. By creating handmade items such as texture collages, beaded jewelry, and keychains, students deepen their sense of identity and connection to their ʻohana and community. These projects serve as both artistic outlets and opportunities for gifting, reinforcing values of aloha, generosity, and mālama ʻana i ka pilina (nurturing relationships). The environment encourages collaboration, pride in craftsmanship, and preparation for sharing their work at the school’s upcoming Hoʻike celebration.
- Fine Motor Skill Development: Students participate in carefully designed activities that improve their fine motor coordination and dexterity. These hands-on projects not only support physical development but also encourage creative problem-solving and self-expression, empowering students to communicate through their art.
- Texture Collages & Beaded Jewelry: The group crafted texture collages featuring their own names and created beaded bracelets as makana (gifts) for family and friends. These projects allowed participants to explore personal identity and cultural connection while expressing aloha through the giving of handmade treasures.
- Crafting for Enjoyment and Gifting: Students crafted necklaces, bracelets, and keychains both for personal enjoyment and as thoughtful gifts for loved ones. This practice of sharing art fosters a spirit of generosity and strengthens interpersonal bonds within the school ʻohana.
- Diverse Art Pieces: Weekly projects introduce students to a broad range of crafts, including making hair bands, charms, and various types of jewelry. This diversity keeps the creative process engaging and broadens their artistic skills, inspiring ongoing enthusiasm for artistic exploration.
- Presentation Preparation: A focused effort is made to ensure all student creations are appropriate and ready for presentation at the upcoming Hoʻike. This process encourages students to take pride in their work, building confidence and poise as they prepare to share their talents with the wider community.
- Engagement and Collaboration: Guided by Kumu Dariess, students actively participate in group projects that nurture teamwork, communication, and community spirit. Through collaborative art-making, they learn to mālama (care for) each other and their shared creative space, strengthening social connections.
This arts and crafts program offers a vital creative outlet that simultaneously enhances fine motor skills and nurtures self-expression rooted in Hawaiian values. By making wearable art and meaningful gifts, participants develop their artistic talents while cultivating a deep sense of community and aloha. The emphasis on sharing their creations and fostering positive relationships contributes profoundly to each student’s personal growth, confidence, and social development. This program embodies the spirit of beauty in learning through art.
