Mural on a wall: building community in alternative education

The focus of this research follows the growth in motivation of five students enrolled in an Alternative Learning Program as they collaborate with thirteen eighth grade students to produce a mural for the newest middle school in their growing community. The research question that was produced in this project was, how does a group mural project motivate adolescents attending an ALP to share in building school community? The project documents the process of one art teacher integrating community building strategies when teaching at risk youth a three phase mural process while mentoring younger students. The research focuses on areas for building school community influenced by former teacher and Author Alfie Kohn to enhance any teaching techniques to establish an authentic community. The project integrates skill development for at risk youth in attaining needs, problem solving, and maintaining relationships