Auburn Elementary was on display for schools near and far in a recent arts integration display.

ArtsNOW is a professional learning organization which promotes the use of art, music, and drama to teach traditional subjects. Earlier this year, Auburn was chosen as a National Learning Lab and part of the Music in Education National Consortium.

Representatives from Bethlehem Elementary School and Gwinnett County Schools, as well as other school and business partners, came to Auburn to see the effects of ArtsNOW in the elementary classroom.

Throughout the day, students and teachers planned activities showcasing art in their curriculum.

In Kim Easterling’s fifth grade class, students begged for their lives as they honed persuasive writing skills. Acting out "Mr. President, Please Save Me," students held a mock-trial for Tom and Tina Turkey, who wrote persuasive essays to be spared from Thanksgiving dinner. Students portaying the President and three jurors decided whether the essay was convincing enough, and would either pardon the turkey or send him to the kitchen.

In April Duffey’s fourth grade class, students drew hands and made construction paper bracelets for "A Jewel of a Book." Each book the student read formed a band, and charms were added for different narrative elements.

In Lacy Williams’ third grade room, students used pictures to practice sequence, main ideas, and details in writing.

Donna Pennell’s fifth graders used tesselations to learn about patterns in math.

"I’ve enjoyed watching them. It’s fun watching them start to understand," Pennell said.