Page at a Time Program 2008-09

1. Wesley Mathews Elementary
Environmental collection
Mixed media
The fifth grade students at Wesley Mathews
Elementary worked in small groups to
create nine unique books centered on
environmental problems ranging from
energy to pollution. The books vary greatly
in binding, materials, and size and range
from representational shapes to smaller
bound formats.

23. Better Future for Energy, 2009
Mixed media
Have you thought about how important energy is to our modern world?
This book raises awareness about the way today’s energy crisis may inspire
more sustainable or “green” solutions in the future. The book takes on the
form of a mechanical flower that echoes the shape of a wind-harvesting
machine like a windmill or turbine.
Each blade displays statements about different environmental problems, as
well as potential solutions and sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and
water.
Wesley Matthews Elementary
Fifth grade
Art teacher: Heather Blackmon-Tanner
Classroom teacher: Esther Hoffman
Principal: John Lengomin
Artists and authors: Andrea Guerrero, Vanessa Ortega, Manuel Rojas-
Romero, Julius Cuevas, and Katrina Vasquez

29. Solution to the Pollution, 2009
Mixed media
How do you define pollution?
Housed in a cover fashioned in the shape of a factory belching smoky air,
this book presents various types of pollution and the actions we can take to
stop poisoning our planet. Each page reveals a potential contaminant—
cigarette and cigar smoke, exhaust from cars, insecticides, and fertilizer
run-off—that negatively impact our environment. In the end, the three
“R’s”—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—offer easy-to-remember solutions.
Wesley Matthews Elementary
Fifth grade
Art teacher: Heather Blackmon-Tanner
Classroom teacher: Esther Hoffman
Principal: John Lengomin
Artists and authors: Brian Yanez, Nelson Salerno, Gretter Rey, and Claudia
Garcia

35. Trees and Leaves, 2009
Grecia Santos
Pesticides on the Loose, 2009
Tery Vasquez
Marine Mammals vs. Sonar, 2009
Danilo Marin
Bees, 2009
Karen Rufin
War Against Nature, 2009
Sabrina Rosell
Mixed Media
Can you think of an environmental problem that impacts you personally?
Each of these individually-made books addresses an environmental issue that is
impacting either nature or animals—and us! They include the loss of tree canopy, the
disappearance of bees, the effects of sonar pollution on marine life, the impact of
harmful pesticides, and the effects of war on wildlife.
Combining hand-made paper and collage, they raise awareness of the importance of
sustaining balance in the bionetwork so that our ecosystem can function properly by
asking questions, providing information, and offering suggestions.
Wesley Matthews Elementary
Fifth grade Art teacher: Heather Blackmon-Tanner
Classroom teacher: Esther Hoffman
Principal: John Lengomin

46. Rising Seas, 2009
Mixed media
Did you ever wonder how global warming and rising sea levels are related?
It’s a domino effect! Our world climate is getting warmer and its impact is
being felt on land and in the sea. The Greenhouse Effect causes a change
in our weather, which in turn melts the polar ice caps and leads to more
forest fires, hurricanes, heat waves, and floods. Together they are creating
dire circumstances for wildlife all around the globe.
These books combine collage and informative graphs to provide evidence of
how global warming is negatively affecting the natural world. Students also
present some creative solutions for this alarming problem.
Wesley Matthews Elementary
Fifth grade
Art teacher: Heather Blackmon-Tanner
Classroom teacher: Esther Hoffman
Principal: John Lengomin
Artists and authors: Ashley Ruiz, Lily Delgado, Anthony Fontan, Lorena
Rivadeneira, and Christina Texidor

52. Icy Problems, 2009
Mixed media
Can you believe the polar caps need to be colder?
This book addresses the heartbreaking effect global warming has on arctic
wildlife—from the death of polar bears to the destruction of their natural
habitat.
Students featured information about arctic creatures such as the ermine,
fox, penguin, lynx, musk ox, caribou, whale, and sea lion to create
awareness of the richness and fragility of this ecosystem.
Wesley Matthews Elementary
Fifth grade
Art teacher: Heather Blackmon-Tanner
Classroom teacher: Esther Hoffman
Principal: John Lengomin
Artists and authors: Allison Martinez, Jailene Munoz, Gabriel Caceres,
Henry Sanabria, Samantha Dominguez, and Ryan Rodriguez