PS 212 teams up with 'Puppetry in Practice' to teach lessons through art

A school in Gravesend is changing up the way many of its students learn.

News 12 Staff

Jan 14, 2020, 11:52 AM

Updated 1,557 days ago

Share:

A school in Gravesend is changing up the way many of its students learn.
Through a partnership with the non-profit Puppetry in Practice, art is at the center of the learning experience. 
The second-grade classroom at P.S. 212 is full of eager students learning about the history of Coney Island and how rabbits inspired the neighborhood's name. The subject may not be innovative and unique, but the way the students are being taught the lesson is.

"This is stop-motion animation. They're using webcams and software, laptop, computers,” says Jason Leinwand, education director at Puppetry in Practice.

P.S. 212 is one of 20 schools around the city partnering with Puppetry in Practice, a non-profit based at Brooklyn College that proves art isn't just another class.

"Art is not external to the learning process. It is the learning process. So once we integrate the arts into everyday classroom learning, then it accelerates the process,” says Michael Perreca, executive director of Puppetry in Practice.

Using scissors, markers, cameras and computers to learn about a variety of subjects.

"We need to access them in a way, in a common language and artmaking or creativity is the common language,” says Perreca.

Organizers say art is a common language that also links learning with fun.


More from News 12
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say

Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say

2:19
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

0:15
Authorities: Berkley Township man sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatal stabbing of Seaside Heights man

Authorities: Berkley Township man sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatal stabbing of Seaside Heights man

1:42
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

0:32
Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

0:56
Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

0:09
Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

2:16
Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

0:59
Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:01
New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12