The seventh and eighth graders participated in The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum’s Classroom in Residence program and spent the day learning in the galleries. The program utilizes the museum’s resources and allows teachers to lead academic classes amid the current exhibits. The Aldrich is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary and we were lucky enough to take advantage of the inspiring paintings and sculptures on display. Mrs. Cahill led an improv class in Kate Gilmore’s sculptural performance art space; Mrs. Lamb and PEL fellow Jacob Northcutt had students write poetry inspired by Cary Smith’s vibrant paintings; Ms. Tortora guided students through a yoga practice on top of David Scanavino’s sculpture, Imperial Texture; and finally, Mrs. Ponden and PEL fellow Caleb Colpitts had students responding to Mary Beth Edelson’s storyboxes through art. The students were split into four sections and they rotated through the stations. They all came together halfway through the program to create a symphony of sound inspired by the colors of Scanovino’s tiles. It was an absolutely fantastic day that took the students out of their usual element and encouraged them to think in different ways. We look forward to continuing to expand the Classroom in Residence program and our relationship with the Aldrich in the future.