By Amy Wallot
amy.wallot@education.ky.gov
While traveling in Eastern Kentucky, I had the chance to make a short visit to Jackson County. I stopped by Sand Gap Elementary School and visited with 2nd and 5th-grade classes. The school is striving to meet the needs and curriculum goals of its students through vertical alignment and school-wide themes. According to 5th-grade teacher Regina Flannery, Sand Gap Elementary is using arts and humanities as a springboard for cross curricular connections. ” Engaging in a hands-on approach and allowing our students to experience a particular culture’s way of life has been a great success. It has enhanced our students’ understanding and appreciation of other cultures,” she said. Both grades were learning about Native Americans. Peggy Sulfridge’s 2nd-grade students were creating history packets as they learned about different tribes. Flannery’s 5th-grade students were involved in a weaving art project.
![Sand Gap Elementary School 1 Students in Peggy Sulfridge's 2nd-grade class are eager to answer a question about Inuits during class at Sand Gap Elementary School (Jackson County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AW090712SandGapEl9987-584x381.jpg)
Students in Peggy Sulfridge's 2nd-grade class are eager to answer a question about Inuits during class at Sand Gap Elementary School (Jackson County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012
![Sand Gap Elementary School 2 Allie Marcum discuses traits of the Inuit with her partner Rachel Farthel during Peggy Sulfridge's 2nd-grade class. The students were creating history packets with information about Native American tribes. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AW090712SandGapEl10005-584x389.jpg)
Allie Marcum discuses traits of the Inuit with her partner Rachel Farthel during Peggy Sulfridge's 2nd-grade class. The students were creating history packets with information about Native American tribes. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012
![Sand Gap Elementary School 3 Regina Flannery helps 5th-grade student Nathan Estep with his weaving project. At left, Kevin Wilson pulls apart yarn to use for his weaving. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AW090712SandGapEl10098-584x389.jpg)
Regina Flannery helps 5th-grade student Nathan Estep with his weaving project. At left, Kevin Wilson pulls apart yarn to use for his weaving. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012
![Sand Gap Elementary School 4 Delaney Kenner weaves a colorful pattern during Regina Flannery's 5th-grade class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AW090712SandGapEl10101-584x389.jpg)
Delaney Kenner weaves a colorful pattern during Regina Flannery's 5th-grade class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012
![Sand Gap Elementary School 5 Fifth-grade student Jacob Stone works on his weaving project during Regina Flannery's class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012](http://kyteacher.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AW090712SandGapEl10114-584x389.jpg)
Fifth-grade student Jacob Stone works on his weaving project during Regina Flannery's class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012
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