Crestview Students Dive Into Cross-Curricular Learning with ‘The Day the Crayons Quit’

Crestview’s music, art, and library classes came together recently for a dynamic cross-curricular unit inspired by the book The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. Through music, visual art, and literature, students examined the book’s themes in creative and meaningful ways, deepening their understanding of its message while cultivating important skills in each area.

Crestview third graders explored the book with our librarian, Ms. Bravin, engaging in thoughtful discussions about the lessons it offers. Rich in social-emotional learning, the story touches on recognizing and expressing emotions, embracing fairness and inclusion, practicing empathy, and conflict resolution. Through these conversations, students discovered how understanding and valuing different perspectives can strengthen relationships and foster a more inclusive community.

Guided by our music teacher, Ms. Marko, students learned to sing and play a song inspired by the story using multiple Orff instruments. This piece reinforced key musical skills third graders have been developing, such as maintaining a steady beat, playing complementary rhythms, and singing with expression. As they mastered their parts, students recognized that making music together mirrors the crayons’ journey in Daywalt’s book—they had to listen to one another, collaborate, and take pride in their unique contributions to create a harmonious final piece.

In Ms. Nallar’s art class, students created vibrant artwork using textured rubbing plates, peeled crayons, and watercolor paints. Their challenge was to cut their crayon wax and watercolor paintings into strips and weave them together with construction paper. Before beginning, Ms. Nallar encouraged students to reflect on their own color preferences, considering how they might differ from their classmates’ preferences. As the project took shape, students exchanged ideas, found inspiration in one another’s creations, and gained a deeper appreciation for their classmates’ unique artistic contributions. Together, third graders created a collection of artwork that reflected both individual expression and shared creativity.

This interdisciplinary experience has allowed students to connect literature, music, and art in meaningful ways. Through these explorations, they not only deepened their understanding of The Day the Crayons Quit but also honed important skills and abilities. We’re so proud of their dedication to working together and expressing themselves thoughtfully and creatively!

Crestview Preparatory School, 140 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge, (818) 952-0925 or visit www.crestviewprep.org.